Without getting into specifics I'd like to share what I have noticed works for fundraising in my area.
To raise funds you need a purpose and a gimmick so you can promote to a diversified demographic. This is normally done by sales or by providing a service.
Any games of chance normally will only work on people willing to gamble. In our area we have a large group to target. Within that group, not many are willing to be in attendance to win unless there is alcohol being served. Texas Holdem tourneys and Monte Carlo nights were once popular but local law enforcement have made such events very difficult. They stipulate gambling events cannot consume alcohol in the same room where any of the games are being played. They are willing to issue temporary permits for these events but without the permit the events will be closely monitored. If you've ever tried to host an event serving alcohol and/or gambling around here it's extremely difficult when you have sheriff cars parked across the street. It takes a large amount of help to run them. That means a lot of parental participation. Also, it is not the atmosphere for any of the kids to help at all during the event so you shouldn't be counting on them. In the past they made big money but around here people seem to migrate to licensed gaming locations that deal a different set of rules, no pun intended.
Ticket sales such as raffles can work if your core group can be expected to be aggressive and it helps if you can get permission to target a captive audience. School functions such as ball games have them herded into 1 spot so you can walk the crowd but getting permission from the school can be difficult. Normally, they are running their own fundraiser of sorts and will not take kindly to having any competition.
Candy sales, popcorn sales, and any of the established fundraiser businesses dial in a percentage profit for selling their products. My advice would be to cut out that middle man and make your own products to market. Home made candies, cookies, cakes becomes all profit to the club if you have families willing to make and donate time and supplies. We used to do sub sandwiches. Sell them in advance, then buy the meat, buns, and such and have the girls form an assembly line to mass produce the subs. It gets the kids involved in the process and no complaints about how one family had to buy all the ingredients for cookies or cakes while other families skated. The gimmick of home made or made from scratch is a great marketing ploy.
Providing a service works well in most any location. No alcohol or gambling issues that might cause any question of ethics or morality. This should include the kids since it is for their benefit. Car washes, raking yards, most any kind of manual labor and many places of business are glad to help the kids help themselves. Gas stations or mini-marts simply provide the space and a water hydrant. While getting their car washed the customers get gas or do some shopping. Win win for everyone. In the winter, my favorite was to set up a station in a mall and charge people to wrap their Christmas presents. You can get by only working weekends, wrapping paper and tape is cheap. Set up a couple of tables and you're in business. 4 weekends of this can generate a LOT of money, provides a service, and you don't need the entire team there at one time. Just run the booth in shifts.
Another service related money-maker was having the kids work for some local businesses that need labor help in season. We have a couple of local pumpkin patch farmers that need the pumpkins picked in the fields. Some local orchards need apples picked. Personally, I have made donations to groups to come glean my fields of rocks in early spring and after fall tillage. Again, this kind of thing is a win win. In the winter the kids would have a chance to wait tables at a couple of local sit-down pizza businesses that are normally a serve and sit yourself establishments. The businesses would make a donation plus the kids worked for tips.
To summarize; provide a service or a product and people are generally appreciative. I suggest doing something that helps teach responsibility and a good work ethic. Try to keep your costs or general overhead to a minimum. Promote a 100% participation of all the kids/families. I suggest if selling a product you set a minimum required by all. ( take 2 boxes of candy to sell and they are NOT to be returned, only cash).
Fundraising can be a bonding experience or it will expose the deadbeats and cause animosity. Try to keep things evenly adjusted to avoid any internal conflict before your season starts. You need to display tact and strong people skills or you could implode your group before you ever get to play ball. Good luck!
