The founders of Pitchero, a digital platform used amongst grassroots sports teams, have launched The Fundraising Club CIC – a not-for-profit lottery that helps UK sports clubs raise money.
Open to clubs of all sizes and sports, the new platform allows teams to create their own lottery page.
The Founders explained that supporters buy tickets for a monthly prize draw, and for every ticket sold, the club receives a grant to put towards improvement projects – such as new pitches, refurbished changing rooms or technology that benefits both players and fans.
Mark Fletcher, Pitchero Co-Founder, said: “More than ever, clubs need support to raise funds.
“The cost of running a club has increased, and sources of funds are decreasing. Many clubs have ambitious investment plans to create new pitches, refurbish changing rooms, and develop new facilities. We cannot allow these plans to stall or be forgotten.
“This is why we launched The Fundraising Club Lottery, empowering clubs’ fundraising activity and to build momentum with exciting investment plans.
“Achieving this complex undertaking would not have been possible without the expertise of Gordons’ specialist solicitors. The team recognised quickly our vision and mission and provided practical, straight-talking advice to make The Fundraising Club Lottery a reality.”
Pitchero, founded in 2007 and based in Leeds, provides digital infrastructure for clubs, including websites, mobile apps, member registration, payments and GPS tracking tools.
The charity’s decision to launch a lottery comes at an interesting time for society and charity lotteries in the UK, which might be set to make some significant gains over the coming year or so – particularly in a regulatory sense.
The government is evaluating the prospect of doubling the cap on society lottery ticket sales to £100m, which would allow lotteries from smaller newcomers like Pitchero’s Fundraising Club to well established firms like the Postcode Lottery to significantly increase sales, revenue, and good causes returns.
In addition, the a bill has been proposed in Northern Ireland that if passed will allow society lotteries to operate in the country for the first time, though Allwyn, the operator of the UK National Lottery, has expressed some concerns about this.
Fitzpatrick added: “The Fundraising Club Lottery opens up a vital source of revenue for sports clubs and empowers them to enhance their fundraising activities and new opportunities for loyal fans to support their teams.
“It was great to have advised on the creation of this exciting initiative and we look forward to seeing how it will make a difference for grassroots sports.”