If you’re looking for a creative, no-cost way to raise money for your school, team, or nonprofit, consider launching an athletic shoe drive fundraiser. This sustainable, community-friendly fundraiser allows you to collect gently used athletic shoes and turn them into cash—without selling products or requiring families to spend a dime.
An athletic shoe drive fundraiser is not only simple to organize, but it also encourages people to declutter responsibly and helps keep millions of shoes out of landfills. It’s a win for your organization, your supporters, and the environment.
In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to host a successful athletic shoe drive fundraiser—including step-by-step instructions, promotion tips, and how to get started with GotSneakers, a leading sneaker recycling partner that handles the logistics and pays you for every pair collected.
What Is an Athletic Shoe Drive Fundraiser?
An athletic shoe drive fundraiser is a type of donation-based fundraiser where supporters contribute used sneakers, running shoes, or other athletic footwear. Instead of selling candy or gift wrap, your group collects unwanted shoes that are still in usable condition.
Those shoes are then:
- Reused or resold in secondhand markets around the world
- Recycled responsibly if too worn for reuse
- Converted into cash for your organization based on their condition
It’s a powerful way to raise funds without asking for money, and it works for a wide range of groups—from schools and sports teams to PTAs, animal rescues, and community nonprofits.
Why Athletic Shoes?
Athletic shoes are one of the most commonly owned and replaced types of footwear. Most people have at least one or two pairs sitting in a closet that are no longer used—but still wearable.
They’re also ideal for fundraising because:
- They’re durable and high in demand for resale
- They can be reused or recycled responsibly
- Kids, teens, and adults all wear them, so donation potential is huge
Plus, collecting athletic shoes aligns with values like fitness, sustainability, and community giving—making it easier to rally support.
Benefits of an Athletic Shoe Drive Fundraiser
There are a lot of reasons why more schools and organizations are switching to athletic shoe drives over traditional fundraising methods.
1. Zero Upfront Cost
No purchases. No inventory. No shipping fees. With partners like GotSneakers, the entire program is free to run.
2. No Selling Required
Families don’t have to buy or sell anything. They simply clean out their closets and donate.
3. Eco-Friendly and Purpose-Driven
Promotes recycling and reuse while raising awareness about global shoe waste. Every pair collected helps reduce landfill waste.
4. Easy to Promote and Run
You don’t need a big volunteer team or months of planning. It’s a plug-and-play fundraiser that can be launched quickly with just a few collection points and promotional materials.
5. Year-Round Flexibility
Perfect for back-to-school season, Earth Month, spring cleaning, or anytime you want to engage your community.
How an Athletic Shoe Drive Fundraiser Works with GotSneakers
GotSneakers is a national sneaker recycling organization that helps groups earn money by collecting used athletic shoes. The process is straightforward and designed to remove the burden from organizers.
Here’s how it works:
- Sign Up for Free: Visit GotSneakers.com and fill out a short form to receive your free sneaker drive kit.
- Receive Your Starter Kit: You’ll get prepaid shipping bags, collection instructions, and promotional materials to help spread the word.
- Promote Your Drive: Use flyers, email templates, social media posts, and school announcements to let your community know you’re collecting.
- Collect Athletic Shoes: Gather gently worn, used, or new athletic shoes. GotSneakers accepts a wide range of brands and styles.
- Ship Sneakers for Free: Drop the pre-paid bags at any UPS location. GotSneakers handles all the sorting and processing.
- Get Paid: You’ll earn money based on the quality of each pair:
- Up to $7 per pair in excellent condition
- $2–$1 for good to fair condition
- Worn-out pairs are recycled but don’t earn payouts (still environmentally helpful)
What Types of Athletic Shoes Can Be Donated?
GotSneakers accepts:
- Running shoes
- Basketball shoes
- Cross-trainers
- Walking shoes
- Gym sneakers
- Youth and adult sizes
They do not accept:
- Dress shoes, sandals, boots, cleats, or high heels
- Shoes with mold, holes, or extreme damage
Even pairs that are too worn for resale are recycled responsibly to avoid contributing to landfill waste.
Who Can Benefit from an Athletic Shoe Drive Fundraiser?
This type of fundraiser works well for nearly any group, including:
- PTAs and PTOs looking for no-cost, high-impact fundraisers
- School sports teams needing uniforms or travel funds
- Cheer and dance squads with competition fees
- Community nonprofits seeking sustainable fundraising options
- Faith-based groups and youth ministries
- Student-led clubs and service projects
It’s especially effective for eco-conscious groups and health-related organizations that align with fitness, sustainability, or reuse.
Tips for a Successful Athletic Shoe Drive
Want to maximize your impact? Here are some tips to help your fundraiser thrive:
1. Set a Clear Goal
Communicate how many pairs you want to collect or how much you hope to raise.
Example: “Help us collect 500 pairs of sneakers to raise $1,000 for new sports equipment!”
2. Promote Across Channels
Use email, school newsletters, Facebook groups, Instagram, flyers, and classroom apps like Remind or ClassDojo. Post photo updates as sneakers come in.
3. Make Collection Easy
Place clearly labeled bins at convenient drop-off locations:
- School entrances
- Front office
- Local gyms or businesses
- Church lobbies or community centers
4. Engage Students
Turn it into a classroom challenge or spirit week activity. Offer small incentives like a pizza party or extra recess to the class that collects the most.
5. Share the Environmental Impact
Remind your community that each pair collected helps reduce waste and promote global reuse. It’s not just about money—it’s about purpose.
Athletic Shoe Drive Fundraiser: Real-World Impact
Hundreds of schools and organizations have used GotSneakers to raise money through athletic shoe drives. Many have raised $500–$2,000 in just a few weeks—with no financial risk and minimal time commitment.
Here’s a quick example:
Jefferson Middle School PTA launched a 4-week sneaker drive in the spring. With support from parents and students, they collected 410 pairs and raised over $1,200—enough to fund new PE equipment and after-school fitness programs. Even better, they kept nearly 900 pounds of waste out of landfills.
Athletic Shoe Drive Fundraisers Are a Win for Everyone
If you’re looking for a fundraiser that doesn’t involve selling, requires no upfront investment, and creates real community and environmental impact, an athletic shoe drive fundraiser is a smart and sustainable choice.
It’s flexible, free, and incredibly effective—plus, it gives your supporters a meaningful way to contribute without spending a dime.
Ready to Start Your Athletic Shoe Drive Fundraiser?
GotSneakers makes it easy. Sign up today and receive your free sneaker drive kit, prepaid shipping materials, and everything you need to launch a successful, sustainable fundraiser that earns cash and promotes change.