Creating Opportunities for Schools & Students: Navigating Budgetary Challenges in Athletic Programs
In the ever-evolving world of K-12 public education, Athletic Directors and Activity Directors juggle a multitude of challenges, and one of the most pressing is stretching resources to support sports programs within tight budgets. As guardians of athletic development and student involvement, these professionals bear the responsibility of making every penny count towards the growth and triumph of their programs. In this blog, we’re diving into the strategies for tackling budgetary hurdles, spotlighting how ticketing and fundraising can open doors for schools and students alike. Getting a Grip on the Situation Let’s face it: budget constraints are a reality for many K-12 public schools. Fluctuating funding levels, competing priorities, and economic uncertainties often make for a tough financial landscape. In such times, Athletic Directors must put on their strategic hats, maximizing the impact of available funds while brainstorming innovative ways to supplement their budgets. Making Tickets Work for You When it comes to raising revenue and covering costs, ticketing for athletic events stands out as a solid strategy. By setting up a well-organized ticketing system, schools can tap into the excitement and support of students, families, and the wider community, all while fostering a sense of pride and belonging among participants. Finding the Sweet Spot with Pricing and Promotion The secret sauce to a successful ticketing strategy? Finding that sweet spot where accessibility meets revenue generation. Athletic Directors need to carefully craft pricing models that reflect the value of the experience while keeping tickets affordable. Plus, strategic promotion and marketing efforts can give ticket sales a boost, leveraging social media, email newsletters, and other channels to drum up excitement among potential spectators and supporters. Leveling Up the Game-Day Experience But let’s not stop at just selling tickets. Schools can supercharge the appeal of attending athletic events by offering an unforgettable game-day experience. Think halftime performances, mouth-watering concessions, stylish merchandise, and interactive fan engagement activities. By creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere, schools can draw in larger crowds and ramp up revenue potential. Tapping into the Power of Fundraising In addition to ticket sales, fundraising represents another potent tool for filling the coffers of athletic programs. Whether it’s securing sponsorships, rallying donations, organizing events, or selling products, there’s a myriad of fundraising avenues to explore. Athletic Directors should roll up their sleeves and forge partnerships with local businesses, alumni networks, and community organizations to rally support and foster mutually beneficial relationships. Getting Everyone on Board But here’s the thing: successful fundraising requires a team effort. Athletic Directors should rally the troops, getting coaches, athletes, parents, and alumni involved in fundraising initiatives. By empowering everyone to pitch in their skills, resources, and networks, schools can magnify the impact of their fundraising efforts and lay down a solid financial foundation for their athletic programs. Embracing the Digital Frontier In today’s digital age, technology opens up a world of possibilities for streamlining fundraising efforts and expanding reach. Online platforms and crowdfunding tools provide a gateway to a broader audience, facilitating seamless donation transactions. Similarly, mobile ticketing solutions can simplify the ticket-buying process for attendees while serving up valuable data insights for event planning and marketing purposes. Measuring Success and Staying Agile Of course, no strategy is complete without a way to measure its impact. Athletic Directors should keep a keen eye on the effectiveness of their ticketing and fundraising initiatives, tweaking strategies as needed. Establishing clear metrics for success—whether it’s ticket sales, revenue generated, or return on investment—keeps everyone focused on the goal. Regular evaluations and feedback loops ensure that schools can fine-tune their approaches and make the most of their resources over time. In Conclusion In the face of budgetary challenges, Athletic Directors and Activity Directors are the unsung heroes, paving the way for schools and students to thrive in the world of K-12 sports. By embracing innovative strategies like ticketing and fundraising, schools can not only bolster their financial standing but also foster community engagement and support for their athletic programs. Interested in hearing more about how HomeTown can help you handle all of this and more? Schedule a meeting to get started. BOOK A MEETING Written by: Nick Mirisis, CEO
HomeTown and Schoolfundr Partner to Revolutionize Fundraising for America’s Schools
COLUMBUS, Ohio & MINNEAPOLIS –(BUSINESS WIRE)– HomeTown, the leading K-12 event management and digital ticketing company which supports thousands of U.S. schools, announced at the 2023 National Athletic Directors Conference (NADC) its partnership with Schoolfundr, the only K-12 focused online fundraising platform that lets schools and teams keep 100% of what they raise, minus standard credit card processing fees. In addition to their best-in-class online fundraising platform, Schoolfundr provides each school with a dedicated fundraising coach to help schools raise more and keep more than ever before. Together, HomeTown and Schoolfundr are committed to empowering schools with the digital tools needed to better manage events, increase engagement, expand their social media presence, collect donations, and manage funds. Leveraging HomeTown and Schoolfundr frees up time and resources for Athletic Directors, coaches, and administrators, resulting in better funded schools, programs, and teams, while providing students the opportunity to reach their full academic and athletic potential. “I was furious to find out that many schools pay fees of 20%, or more, to use outdated and cumbersome fundraising software that offers very little support,” said HomeTown CEO, Nick Mirisis. “When I saw Schoolfundr’s product, pricing model, and the level of service they provide to the schools, I knew Schoolfundr was the future of K-12 fundraising and also the perfect partner for us. Our collective goal is to ensure every school in America uses Schoolfundr, which will put millions of additional dollars back into our schools and communities.” Schoolfundr is the nation’s fastest growing K-12 focused fundraising company, having added over 1,000 new schools to their platform since the fall, and has helped schools raise millions of dollars, fee-free. Schoolfundr’s core software provides coaches and group leaders with a campaign-based fundraising platform featuring customized student pages, 1-click social media sharing, and the ability to effortlessly run activity based “a-thon” fundraisers. Instead of charging predatory fees on every dollar raised, Schoolfundr relies solely on optional donor tips to cover their expenses. “Our goal is not to take funds from students and schools like our competitors. Schoolfundr’s mission is to empower students to keep the funds they raise, so they can reach their full potential,” added Dennis Levene, Founder and CEO of Schoolfundr. “The same donors that generously support students recognize the value in our mission and product, and overwhelmingly choose to support Schoolfundr by leaving an optional tip.” The positive impact of Schoolfundr is already being felt by many HomeTown customers, including Haley Stewart, Athletic Director of East Gaston High School, who said, “I’m very excited about the partnership between HomeTown and Schoolfundr. As an experienced HomeTown customer, I’m well aware of the impact that advanced digital tools can have on my program. Our District has already had a great experience running multiple campaigns using the Schoolfundr platform. The Schoolfundr team acted as a true partner to us and made sure our campaigns were successful and of course it was nice to keep all of what we raised.” To set up a demo to learn more about the partnership between HomeTown and Schoolfundr, visit bit.ly/YouKeepIt About HomeTown Based in Columbus, Ohio, HomeTown is the leading K-12 event management and digital ticketing provider which supports thousands of U.S. schools, districts, conferences, and associations. Our comprehensive platform helps athletic & activity directors, coaches and school leaders simplify the event & activity management process, enable seamless online sales, expand their social media marketing, collect donations, and utilize real-time reporting – which results in better funded schools, and student programs. With a focus on delivering exceptional customer support and service, HomeTown is a trusted partner for educational institutions and event organizers nationwide. Learn more about HomeTown at hometownticketing.com or follow HomeTown on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. About Schoolfundr Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Schoolfundr is the premier online fundraising platform for school communities. It offers a free and simple way for coaches, teachers and parents to raise money and allows them to focus their time on students rather than fundraising. Schoolfundr is dedicated to helping raise more funds with less effort, keeping the funds raised so students can reach their full potential. Contacts For press inquiries about HomeTown, please contact Lacy Harvey, Vice President, Marketing at lacy.harvey@hometownticketing.com or 830-832-4842. For press inquiries about Schoolfundr, please contact Connor Thinnes, Chief Marketing Officer at connor@schoolfundr.org or 216-296-8272. BOOK A MEETING TODAY
Social Media Toolkit for K-12 Athletic Leaders: How to use HomeTown Social Media for game promotion
Social media presents both opportunities and challenges for Athletic Directors to create and post content. (As if you didn’t already have enough responsibilities as it is, right?) The problem is, the average amount of time a graphic is viewed on social media is less than four seconds, 3.4 seconds to be exact. To spend 5-10 minutes on a graphic that gets viewed for just a few seconds may not be the best use of your time and priorities. With HomeTown Social Media powered by Box Out we’ve streamlined this process to help you not only do this quickly, but to also generate ticket revenue. It’s almost like magic! What Are Campaigns by Box Out? Box Out offers Campaigns, which is a feature that automatically creates and schedules graphics to promote ticketed events to all social media outlets. Benefits of Box Out Campaigns We know that as an Athletic Director, you are managing a lot of moving parts. From operational planning, to budgeting, and event schedules. Promoting your events might be the last thing on your mind because it seems daunting or confusing. With the HomeTown social media integration with Box Out, you can create and post event promotions in seconds. It’s truly that easy. Box Out generates thousands of templates to use on demand, with no design experience required. Simply select the template you want, add your logo and copy – that’s it! And the best part, you can post to all of your social media sites in just one click directly from the HomeTown integration, no additional logins required. Save Time. Get the valuable time back that you need. Increase Ticket Sales. Create multiple graphics in seconds, saving you not only time in generating content, but helping you increase ticket revenue at the same time. Work Efficiently. All if the game information is imported directly from your schedule. From the time and date of the event, to the opponent colors and logo. Everything you need is automatically applied to the graphic! Promote Events. All campaign posts include the ticket url for fans and followers to easily purchase. How To Get Started With Campaigns? To begin, simply click on the Campaigns tab on the left-hand side of your Box Out page. Here you will see the simple steps necessary to begin: Step 1 Choose the ticketed event you are wanting to promote 1 Step 2 Select the style of graphics and the timeframe in which you want your content to be posted 2 Step 3 Choose your font and colors settings 3 Step 4 Review and activate 4 Hometown x Box Out Integration Overview In today’s world, simplicity is key! Meeting the fans where they’re at is critical for driving interest and awareness to your upcoming games. The HomeTown + Box Out integration does the promotional work for you by creating and posting multiple graphics promoting your events to fans; across all social channels. Followers can proactively purchase their tickets in advance while they’re scrolling on social media rather than waiting to buy tickets on game day when the lines could be backed up. This not only gives Athletic Directors insight into revenue projections, but also informs volunteers and administrators of expected attendance rates! Allowing your team the time needed to get the concessions stocked for the big game. Are you ready to get started? GET STARTED
The Role of Technology in K-12 Athletic Events
In recent years, the intersection of technology in education has revolutionized the way we think about teaching, learning, and how we manage extracurricular activities. Among these, K–12 athletic events have seen significant advancements, making them more accessible, manageable, and enjoyable for students, parents, and fans alike. Digital ticketing is a key innovation that has changed how schools manage and fans enjoy athletic events. The Game Changer: Digital Ticketing Gone are the days when attending a high school football game meant waiting in long lines, cash in hand, hoping to get a good seat. Digital ticketing systems like HomeTown have transformed this experience, offering a collection of benefits that extend well beyond convenience. Cost and Time Savings: For school administrators and athletic directors, digital ticketing systems offer a level of operational efficiency that paper tickets simply can’t match. These systems can handle the sale, distribution, and management of tickets electronically, reducing the need for physical ticket booths and the manpower to run them. This not only saves time and money, but also significantly reduces the potential for errors and fraud. Enhanced Fan Experience: With digital ticketing, purchasing tickets to school athletic events has never been easier. Parents, students, and fans can buy tickets online at any time, from anywhere, using their smartphones or computers in the HomeTown Fan Experience. This ease of access ensures that everyone who wants to support their team can do so without the barriers of traditional ticketing methods. Fans can download the HomeTown Fan App from the app store, iOS and Android. Improved Safety and Security: In a world increasingly concerned with safety and security, digital ticketing provides a secure way to manage event access. Electronic tickets reduce the risk of lost, stolen, or counterfeit tickets. Furthermore, digital systems allow for better crowd management, as entry can be controlled more precisely, and attendance can be tracked in real-time. Data Insights: Digital ticketing systems offer schools valuable data insights. Administrators can track attendance patterns, popular events, and revenue in real-time, enabling them to make informed decisions about future events. Looking Ahead As technology evolves, digital ticketing opens the door to new possibilities in K–12 athletics.This innovation is not just about simplifying ticket sales; it’s about enriching the school sports experience, making it more secure and accessible for the future. Digital ticketing stands as a testament to how technology is transforming school athletics, ensuring it remains a cherished tradition for generations to come. Ready to get started? GET STARTED WITH HOMETOWN
HomeTown Spotlight | February: Horry County Schools
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT I FEBRUARY 2024 School: Horry County Schools, SC District Athletic Director: Jason Cox This month HomeTown is excited to spotlight Horry County District Athletic Director, Jason Cox, in recognition of how he has been using HomeTown to support the needs of his schools and athletic programs. ABOUT JASON Jason Cox is the District Athletic Director at Horry County Schools and has been with the district since 2007. Jason has a wealth of experience managing athletic departments, including a valuable perspective about how schools can leverage the HomeTown digital ticketing platform to manage their event and activity needs. Prior to becoming the District Athletic Director, Jason used HomeTown as a school-based Athletic Director, and now supports all Horry County school ADs using HomeTown. Creating a cohesive experience for coaches, admin, students, and fans is a top priority for Athletic Directors who oversee the coordination of all activities at their district. And this is an area where Jason excels! HOW HORRY COUNTY USES HOMETOWN Horry County schools started using HomeTown for their digital ticketing needs in August, 2020. They chose to go digital with HomeTown to give their spectators a seamless gameday experience – from ticket purchase to gate entry, they want their supporters to get into the game as quickly and efficiently as possible. “Digital ticketing has allowed us to speed up the flow at our entrances. Spectators can purchase the tickets in advance at their convenience. Our staff can quickly scan their phone for entry. We have eliminated the use of a cash drawer and making a nightly deposit after the completion of an event.” – Jason Cox, District Athletic Director Selling tickets in advance comes with other benefits as well: Being proactive with ticket sales has enabled Horry County to accurately forecast the number of event staff and security that are needed based on actual tickets sold- not projections. Another HomeTown benefit for Jason and all of his ADs has been the ability to communicate with fans before, during, and after games. This has provided each school with a solution to manage game day expectations, utilize digital programs and rosters, highlight students, inform fans of other activities within the schools, thank fans for their support, and much more. Horry County has been successful in increasing attendance at all of their events due to this additional communication, made possible by HomeTown’s platform. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT HOMETOWN? The ease of use for faculty and spectators. Also, the wonderful customer service! “HomeTown Ticketing has been a tremendous asset to the athletic departments within Horry County Schools. We strive to provide our student athletes and spectators with an amazing experience. HomeTown Ticketing is one of the pieces that helps us attain that goal.” – Jason Cox, District Athletic Director BIGGEST TIME SAVER Horry County has a multifaceted approach for time-saving tactics. HomeTown makes it possible to have the ticket office open 24/7. By eliminating cash boxes, all Athletic Directors in the county get home to their families sooner each night. They no longer need to drive across town to the bank to deposit money each night. This also positively impacts the bookkeepers day as well, by reducing the daily tasks they are required to do. Taking it a step further, Horry county utilizes HomeTown to sell memberships, fundraising tickets, and sport passes – creating a centralized location for fans, making it easier for their community to support the school and student athletes. About Horry County Schools The countywide school district encompasses 54 schools in the nine attendance areas of Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Green Sea Floyds, Loris, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, and St. James. Horry County Schools, with more than 45,000 students, is South Carolina’s third-largest school district. GET STARTED WITH HOMETOWN
A Day in the Life of an AD: Good Morning
A Day in the Life of an AD: Getting Ready for the Day Welcome to “A Day in the Life of an AD,“ our new blog series where we will explore an in-depth glimpse into high school athletics through the eyes of an Athletic Director. In this series we will highlight what ADs in the industry do behind the scenes, what their challenges are, and celebrate their victories. So whether you are an AD, a sports fan, interested in the inner workings of high school athletics, curious about the administrative side, or have a high school aged child playing sports, this series is designed specifically for you. Let’s kick off this dawn-to-dusk profession like a true AD — early in the morning! GOOD MORNING 6:30 AM: Other Duties as Assigned The morning comes early for an Athletic Director. Most ADs are going to be at their school by 6:30 AM — wasting no time as soon as they walk through the doors. It’s 7:00 AM and students are arriving and most ADs will start their day with one of their responsibilities that fall under the “other duties as assigned” category. ADs across the country are responsible for various duties through the day that do not always correlate to athletics. For example: did you know many ADs take on morning drop off duty or bus duty? This is when school-based administrators are strategically placed throughout campus, and at bus drop off locations, to ensure the safety of students. The reality for many busy Athletic Directors is they will spend the first 30-45 minutes of their day monitoring students. This is a great opportunity to meet students and learn more about them! This also allows an AD to interact with non student-athletes whom they don’t regularly get to engage with. 7:50 AM: Daily Tasks Once the AD heads back to their office, there is plenty of work to be done. Mornings can be the quieter (this term is relative for an AD) time of the day for an AD, so an excellent opportunity to complete daily tasks. Here a snapshot of a few common daily tasks: Schedule all transportation Schedule game Officials Confirm contract signatures from opposing teams Trainers are scheduled to be at upcoming games Schedule on-duty Administrator Confirm Tickets are on sale Post game day details and tickets on social media Confirm gate workers Concessions stocked and volunteers confirmed Review facility schedule 9:00 AM: Communications Once the daily checklist is complete, mornings are an excellent time to catch up on communication; return voicemails, email replies, or texts from the coaching staff. Many school administrators and staff rely on regular communication from the Athletic Director, so it’s important an AD dedicates time to stay on top of internal communications. On the heels of communication are administrative meetings. Mornings are a favorable time for school administration to come together to discuss updates, plans, budgeting, and more. One recurring challenge an AD often faces in the mornings following a game, is the reality of inaccurate funds collected from games the day prior. It’s often a discrepancy of a few dollars or the loss of some physical tickets. But no matter the discrepancy, every single dollar matters to the AD and the school. Even a rounding error will signal an investigation and documentation from the AD to ensure every dollar is accounted for. This is one the reasons digital ticketing has been a game changer for ADs. With HomeTown, an AD gets more than just a seamless gate entry experience for fans. They get access to real-time reporting that gives ADs an in-depth look into their event data with just a few clicks — this not only gives the AD visibility into critical data, but it saves them time! 10:00 AM: Facilities We’re not quite done. Last but certainly not least is a facilities check: Which facilities hosted a game the night prior Make sure everything is cleaned up properly Was there a storm or rain? Make sure there is no damage and fields are playable. Technical walkthroughs. Scoreboard working? Lights operating? PA system ready to go? Microphone checks Keeping a close eye on facilities is paramount for an AD. Catching something early and inputting work order to make sure the facilities stay in the best shape for all future games is critical. 10:30 AM: Almost time for Lunch The bell rings signaling the start of lunch and the morning is now over. It’s time for the AD to head to lunch duty. Interested in how HomeTown can make your morning easier? Reach out to a HomeTown representative to learn more. BOOK A MEETING Until our next post: Lunch Duty…
5 Reasons Why Using An Online Donation Platform Can Support Your Athletic Program
If you have ever been part of a sports team, are a parent of a student-athlete, or you’re a superfan of the local high school football team, odds are you have purchased a discount card or a box of candy bars to help the team raise money for their upcoming season. Fundraising is incredibly beneficial to K–12 schools – especially for their athletic departments! There are the known reasons, like raising funds to buy new uniforms, but fundraising goes beyond equipment upgrades. Let’s take a look at the 5 essential benefits of online fundraising for high school athletics. Financial Support: Fundraising provides sport programs with essential funds needed to successfully operate each season, across all sports. Whether that means paying for equipment, activities, essentials, or upgrading facilities. Fundraising, and more specifically, online fundraising — helps bridge the financial gap many teams face. But teams still end up sacrificing 20% or more for platform fees! Through our partnership with Schoolfundr, you can keep the money you raise and get the financial support you need to fuel a successful season. Team Building: Fundraising brings a team together, working as one towards a common goal. A-thon based fundraising is an engaging form of team building that teaches athletes the importance of their role on the team and how to rely on each other. Schoolfundr enables unique, a-thon style fundraisers tailored to your school’s needs, with personalized goals, rewards, and activities designed to empower students and drive results. Character Development: Fundraising requires a variety of skills like listening, planning, time-management, communication, and more. These lifelong lessons not only help students with fundraising, but also in their coursework, collegiate journey, and future employment. The skills that are developed through fundraising stay with student-athletes throughout their lives and play a vital role in their character development. Inclusion: Not every student-athlete can afford the necessary costs of competing on an athletic team. Fundraising helps offset that. Online fundraising with HomeTown + Schoolfundr allows every student-athlete on the team the same opportunity to participate. All students deserve the opportunity to compete on the playing field, and fundraising helps make sure that is possible. Community: Fundraising has a way of bringing the community together, both on and off the field. But fundraising doesn’t always have to be confined to your local network. By using an online fundraising platform, students can spread the word about their fundraiser with just one click, making it simple and convenient to reach their extended network. Let anyone help make your hometown team successful! “As an experienced HomeTown customer, I’m well aware of the impact that advanced digital tools can have on my program. Our District has already had a great experience running multiple campaigns using the Schoolfundr platform, and Schoolfundr is now going to revolutionize the way we fundraise, and how we manage our finances across the entire athletic department.” – Haley Stewart, Athletic Director I East Gaston High School Ready to get started? HomeTown wants to support you on your journey to raise more! Start fundraising today and see how HomeTown + Schoolfundr can help your teams score big this season. Get Started Today
Announcing The 2023 HomeTown Customer Award Winners!
At HomeTown, we are thrilled to announce and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our top clients with the 2023 HomeTown Customer Awards! These awards recognize excellence in various athletic categories and highlight the lasting impact these leaders have on their communities, their students, and their schools. Let’s cheer on the remarkable individuals and teams… MVP (Most Valuable Player): Tom Keating from the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IA) Tom Keating, the illustrious recipient of the 2023 HomeTown MVP award, stands as a true luminary in the realm of K-12 athletics, not merely confining his impact to the borders of Iowa but resonating across the entire nation. His role as a transformative force has not only laid the groundwork for an indomitable foundation but has also cultivated an unparalleled presence among member schools in Iowa, a testament to his unwavering dedication to elevating the high school athletics experience. The passion that Tom exudes in his commitment to enhancing the high school athletics journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring. His fervent advocacy for the indispensability of digital ticketing goes beyond mere rhetoric — it’s a tangible force for change. Tom’s resolute efforts have not only resulted in remarkable year-over-year growth in Iowa but have sent ripples throughout various states, compelling schools and athletic programs to embrace digital ticketing practices within their communities. Tom’s loyalty to HomeTown is nothing short of commendable, reflecting a profound belief in the strength of the established partnership. This allegiance serves as a resounding endorsement of his commitment to the triumph of K-12 athletics and the widespread adoption of digital ticketing in the state. With an unparalleled vision, Tom foresees the myriad benefits that this partnership will usher into Iowa, showcasing a forward-looking perspective and an enduring dedication to the long-term, positive impact of HomeTown’s solutions in the region. In acknowledging the key contributors to the success of our partnership, it is imperative to extend our appreciation not only to Mr. Keating but also to commend the invaluable efforts of Chelsea Clark and Jess Morgan from the IHSAA office. As the designated point persons for their adept utilization of HomeTown, they have played pivotal roles in ensuring the seamless integration and success of this collaboration. Their dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to the overall accomplishments of our shared objectives. The IHSAA has demonstrated consistent year-over-year expansion through the implementation of digital ticketing, facilitating streamlined access to over 1000 events and successfully retailing more than 500,000 online tickets annually. Rookie of the Year: Andy Dorsey from East Paulding High School (GA) The Rookie of the Year award recognizes a new HomeTown client who has quickly adapted and excelled in utilizing our platform. Andy Dorsey, the Athletic Director at East Paulding High School, has taken the Rookie of the Year title by storm. East Paulding High School began using the HomeTown platform in Fall 2023. Within just a few weeks, Andy began utilizing HomeTown’s extensive suite of capabilities – like custom seat maps, social media, and event reporting – to quickly enable his community with a seamless event experience. Andy’s ability to efficiently integrate HomeTown into East Paulding High School and community showcase his commitment to excellence. His fresh perspective has brought innovation to East Paulding High School, making him a standout Rookie of the Year. Since the start of the Fall season 2023, East Paulding High School has hosted 47 events, selling over 12,300 tickets and 116 season tickets and sports passes. The speedy adoption of Hometown digital ticketing in this community sets an example for what’s possible for athletic programs who use the platform. Team of the Year: Northside ISD (TX) The Team of the Year award celebrates the collective effort, teamwork, and outstanding results achieved by a group or department within a HomeTown client organization. The Athletics Department at Northside ISD has been named the 2023 Team of the Year. Their collaborative approach to utilizing HomeTown Ticketing has not only enhanced the fan experience but has also significantly contributed to the overall success of Northside ISD events. The NISD Athletics Department demonstrates a steadfast commitment to teamwork through communication, proactive event preparation, and true partnership with the HomeTown team to ensure smooth event operations, especially as it pertains to the implementation of digital ticketing. Their dedication to providing fans with a smooth and enjoyable experience sets them apart as the Team of the Year and sets the bar at a level of excellence which all HomeTown clients should strive towards. “We are pleased, honored and humbled to accept this award. A very special thanks to everyone at HomeTown Ticketing for selecting the Northside ISD Athletics Department. And an enormous salute to all of this year’s nominees each of whom made incredible contributions to their communities, their students and schools.” – Jay Govan, Assistant Director of Athletics, Northside ISD To the innovators, community leaders, and hometown heroes, you are the way forward. Your commitment to ensure students have memorable experiences during their academic career is one we admire and love supporting through our platform. As the year comes to a close, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the 2023 HomeTown Customer Award Winners. Your dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence serve as an inspiration to the entire HomeTown community.
HomeTown partners with Schoolfundr to create a better experience for students
A BETTER EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS Today at the opening reception of NADC, HomeTown took the stage and recommitted ourselves to our original founding vision of delivering best-in-class, education specific solutions that help athletics and school leaders better manage events, increase engagement and loyalty, and streamline all aspects of activity management. For the last decade, we have been proud to partner with passionate school leaders , who work every day to create amazing experiences for students, in the classrooms and in all extra-curricular activities. We saw an opportunity years before Covid to help schools transition from paper to digital ticketing, allowing them to provide a better experience for their fans and supporters, while at the same time, saving Athletic Directors time and budget, reducing headaches, and decreasing the financial risk and security concerns that arise when accepting cash for activities. Some of the same coordination, workflow, communication and financial headaches that our schools experienced in the pre-digital ticketing world, is now occurring in the fundraising world. We have schools who continue to “sell products” like candy, candles, and mattresses – which is a huge logistical and inventory hassle, and only receive 20-30% of the proceeds. Others made a leap to early online fundraising, however they are seeing 20-25% being taken by companies, raising questions from parents, boosters and the community about fairness and equity in these challenging financial times. As we engage and speak with thousands of leaders every year, helping solve this fundraising challenge was top of mind. And as we examined our own customer behaviors, more than 20% of our high schools were using HomeTown for some form of donation, roundup, or fundraiser, to raise needed funds for their programs. HOMETOWN & SCHOOLFUNDR When HomeTown decided to partner with an online social donation platform, it was important that their values aligned with ours. Schoolfundr exists to help school communities grow for the well–being of the students they serve, and most importantly, their entire fundraising suite is no-cost to use for schools. Schoolfundr’s flexible fundraising technology empowers users to create custom, online fundraising campaigns that are easy to manage, free to create, and simple to contribute. And best of all, 100% of donations go to the school, minus standard credit card processing fees (of about 3%). With this partnership, we’re enabling a more comprehensive athletic experience, allowing clients to easily recognize and manage their money across fundraising and ticketing activities. CUSTOMER IMPACT As we start launching fundraisers at schools, the impact seen by Athletics and activities leaders is clear. “I’m very excited about the partnership between HomeTown and Schoolfundr. As an experienced HomeTown customer, I’m well aware of the impact that advanced digital tools can have on my program. Our District has already had a great experience running multiple campaigns using the Schoolfundr platform, and Schoolfundr is now going to revolutionize the way we fundraise, and how we manage our finances across the entire athletic department.” – Haley Stewart, Athletic Director, East Gaston High School The partnership with Schoolfundr will allow HomeTown to offer a unified experience for fans and donors, helping you raise money for your programs quickly and efficiently. Bringing Schoolfundr’s platform to HomeTown’s clients provides the optimal fundraising experience with: Best In Class Features – The platform is purpose built for K-12 athletics, with customized options and reporting tools that help you raise more money than ever before Best In Class Support – You’ll have a hands on fundraising coach to guide you every step of the way, making fundraising less work for you and your staff than on any other platform Best In Class Pricing Model – Other fundraising platforms take 20% or more of the funds you raise; Schoolfundr lets you keep all of the funds you raise with ZERO platform fees or subscription fees Ready to get started? Schedule a call to learn more about how we can start saving your school money today!
HomeTown Ticketing Renews Partnership with NJSIAA to Transform Event Experiences
COLUMBUS, OH – August 9, 2023For Immediate Release HomeTown Ticketing, the leader in digital ticketing for educational institutions, is proud to announce the renewal of their partnership as the Official Digital Ticket Partner of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) for the next five years. This strategic collaboration reaffirms HomeTown Ticketing’s commitment to delivering seamless event experiences and elevating championships to a new level of excellence. This partnership comes as HomeTown Ticketing and NJSIAA gear up to enhance the 2023 fall championships with innovative solutions. By combining HomeTown’s advanced digital ticketing options with NJSIAA’s prestigious events, athletes, spectators, and fans alike can expect a streamlined experience that eliminates hassles and maximizes enjoyment. HomeTown’s digital ticketing solutions offer not only convenience but also efficiency. With cashless transactions and the speedy ticket scanning capabilities of the HomeTown Gate App, attendees can breeze through gate entry without the frustration of long lines or wait times. This technology-driven approach is poised to revolutionize event entry, making it a seamless process for all involved. In the words of HomeTown’s CEO, Matt Davis, “This partnership is about creating an environment that captures the essence of competition, camaraderie, and celebration and that increases engagement and attendance at all championship events. We’re dedicated to redefining the way championships are experienced, and our renewed commitment from NJSIAA will continue propelling us toward that goal.” Colleen Maguire, Executive Director of NJSIAA, reflects on the partnership’s momentum, stating, “Renewing our collaboration with HomeTown Ticketing is an exciting step forward. Their services have not only boosted the financial landscape of our state tournaments but have also streamlined operations. The renewal of this contract underscores our shared commitment to providing top-tier experiences for every spectator.” About NJSIAA Founded in 1918, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) is a non-profit organization comprising approximately 440 accredited public and non-public high schools. NJSIAA is affiliated with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and manages tournaments across 33 diverse sports, crowning champions through exceptional competition. About HomeTown Ticketing As the leading digital ticketing provider in K-12 and collegiate spaces, HomeTown Ticketing empowers schools, districts, conferences, and associations to seamlessly manage events. Our professional-grade platform enables easy ticket sales, swift attendee scanning, and expedited revenue access. From schools and districts to colleges and universities, HomeTown Ticketing transforms student athletics, arts, and community programs across the United States. With our headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, we prioritize around the clock customer support to enhance game-day experiences for students, families, and fans nationwide.
