fundraising frequently asked questions

What is my family's annual fundraising commitment?

Fundraising commitments are assessed on a family basis:

• First registered player: $350 fundraising commitment
• Each additional registered player: $175 fundraising commitment

Families can meet this requirement by participating in approved Black Gold FC fundraising opportunities throughout the program.

Is fundraising tracked by player or by family?

Fundraising commitments are assessed and tracked on a family basis, not by individual player.

What is the Fundraising Buy-Out Option?

The Fundraising Buy-Out Option allows families to satisfy their annual fundraising requirement by paying a one-time buy-out fee instead of participating in fundraising activities.

The buy-out fee is:

• First registered player: $400
• Each additional registered player: $200

Can I still choose the Fundraising Buy-Out Option?

Yes. To provide families with additional flexibility, Black Gold FC has extended the Fundraising Buy-Out deadline to November 23.

We recognize that some families may still be evaluating their fundraising opportunities and expected participation levels. Extending the buy-out deadline gives families additional time to make an informed decision about whether they wish to:

• Participate in fundraising activities throughout the program to meet their annual fundraising commitment; or
• Select the annual Fundraising Buy-Out Option instead.

How do I choose the Fundraising Buy-Out Option?

Families wishing to opt out of fundraising activities for the 2026-2027 program may select the Fundraising Buy-Out Option by submitting an e-transfer to fundraising@blackgoldfc.ca

To complete your buy-out:

1. Send the applicable buy-out amount for your family via e-transfer to fundraising@blackgoldfc.ca
2. In the e-transfer message, include:
   • Athlete name(s)
   • Team name(s)

Important Deadline: To provide families with additional flexibility while they evaluate their fundraising plans, the Fundraising Buy-Out deadline has been extended to November 23, 2026. All buy-out payments must be received by 11:59 PM on November 23, 2026 to be eligible.

Please Note:

• The buy-out applies to the entire family's annual fundraising requirement, not to individual fundraising initiatives.
• Families may not divide, allocate, or combine fundraising commitments and buy-out fees among individual players within the same household.
• Families who do not select the buy-out option may continue participating in fundraising opportunities throughout the program to meet their annual fundraising commitment.

Can I buy out of a specific fundraiser?

No. The buy-out applies to the entire annual fundraising requirement, not individual fundraising initiatives.

Families must either:

1. Participate in fundraising throughout the program to meet their annual fundraising commitment, or
2. Select the annual fundraising buy-out option.

You cannot choose to buy out of individual fundraisers such as popcorn, chocolate, sponsorship, or future fundraising campaigns.

If I already paid the buy-out, do I have to participate in fundraisers?

No. Participation in club fundraising activities is optional for families who have already selected and paid the annual Fundraising Buy-Out Option.

Do I have to participate in every fundraising initiative?

No. Families have flexibility in how they meet their annual fundraising commitment. If you choose not to participate in one fundraiser, you may make up that amount through other fundraising opportunities offered during the program.

Why is Black Gold FC offering multiple fundraisers throughout the program year?

Black Gold FC offers multiple fundraising opportunities throughout the program to provide families with flexibility in how they meet their annual fundraising commitment. We recognize that not every fundraiser will appeal equally to every family. Some families may find greater success selling popcorn, while others may prefer selling chocolate, seeking sponsorships, participating in community events, or taking part in future fundraising initiatives. Because fundraising credits are cumulative, families can choose the opportunities that best fit their schedules, interests, and networks while working toward their overall annual fundraising requirement. Participation in every fundraiser is not required, provided the family's annual fundraising commitment is ultimately met.

Are the fundraising targets for each fundraiser separate requirements?

No. The fundraising targets communicated with each fundraiser are intended to help families stay on track toward meeting their overall annual fundraising commitment. These targets are not additional obligations. They simply represent the amount a family should aim to raise at that point in the program.

How do fundraising credits work?

All fundraising credits earned throughout the program are cumulative and are applied toward your family's annual fundraising commitment. It is important to note that a fundraising credit reflects the amount credited toward your fundraising requirement, not the total retail value of products sold, or the total sales proceeds generated by the fundraiser. 

Example:

• Popcorn Fundraiser Credit: $50
• Chocolate Fundraiser Credit: $50
• Total fundraising credit earned: $100

For a family with one registered player and a $350 annual fundraising commitment, this would leave $250 remaining toward their fundraising requirement.

All fundraising credits earned through approved Black Gold FC fundraising opportunities are combined and tracked against your family's overall annual fundraising commitment.

What happens if I exceed the target in a fundraiser?

Any amount raised above a fundraiser's target still counts toward your annual fundraising commitment. Exceeding a target is encouraged, as it can help reduce or even eliminate the need to participate in future fundraising activities.

What happens if I do not meet the target in a specific fundraiser?

Nothing happens immediately.  You can continue earning fundraising credits through future club fundraising opportunities. The important measure is whether your family has met the annual fundraising commitment by the end of the program.

If I meet my entire fundraising commitment early in the program, do I have to keep fundraising?

No. Once your family has satisfied its annual fundraising commitment through approved fundraising activities, you have fulfilled your obligation and are not required to participate in future fundraising initiatives. 

Example: if a family raises enough through early-season fundraisers to meet the full annual commitment, participation in subsequent club fundraisers would be optional.

If I exceed my fundraising commitment, can the Fundraising Credit be carried towards future program year?

No. Fundraising requirement is assessed within a given program year and may not be carried forward towards future program year.

Is Fundraising Credit transferable to another Athlete?

No. Fundraising Credits cannot be transferred from one athlete to another, except between athletes within the same family. An exception also applies to team fundraising activities, such as bottle drives, where credits are distributed among eligible participating athletes.

Are fundraising credits, proceeds, or buy-out fees refundable?

No. Fundraising credits, fundraising proceeds, fundraising buy-out fees, and fundraising bonds are generally non-refundable and non-transferable, except where required by law or otherwise approved by Black Gold FC.

What happens if my fundraising commitment is not met by the end of the program?

Any outstanding fundraising balance remaining at the conclusion of the program year may be deducted from, or otherwise collected through, the fundraising bond.

Example: If a player raised $300 out of their $350 fundraising commitment, then $50 will be deducted from their fundraising bond at the end of the program year:

How are funds handled for team fundraising activities, such as a bottle drive?

For club fundraising activities organized for an entire team, such as a bottle drive, the total amount raised is then divided among the eligible athletes who participated in the fundraiser. Athletes who have already fulfilled their fundraising requirement,

If an athlete has already fulfilled their fundraising commitment, they do not need additional fundraising credit, their portion can instead be allocated among the other participating athletes who still have an outstanding fundraising commitment.

Example: If 10 athletes participate in a bottle drive and 3 have already fulfilled their fundraising requirements, the funds can be divided among the remaining 7 participating athletes who still have fundraising requirements to meet.

Can teams run their own fundraisers?

Only with prior written approval from Black Gold FC. Team fundraising is separate from club fundraising and may be used to offset team-specific costs such as tournaments, team events, or other approved expenses.

Who can I contact if I have fundraising questions?

Please contact fundraising@blackgoldfc.ca or speak with your team manager for assistance regarding fundraising requirements, credits, buy-out options, or upcoming fundraising opportunities.