Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser Guide

If your organization wants a casual, low-cost fundraiser that doesn’t sacrifice fun or donor engagement, it’s time to start planning a cornhole tournament fundraiser. Cornhole is a major crowd-pleaser, and you can shape the game to fit any venue, cause, budget, or theme. 

The Basics: What is Cornhole? 

Cornhole is a simple game with pretty straightforward rules. Single or double players take turns pitching small fabric beanbags at a board or platform with a hole in the far end. The scoring and terminology are simple:  

• Cornhole: A toss that sends the bag through the hole is called a cornhole. Each cornhole earns a player three points.  

• Ace: A bag that lands on the board and remains there throughout the play is called an ace. A player earns one point for every ace. 

• The first team to reach or exceed 21 points in the specified timeframe wins. 

The Benefits of a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser 

Sports and recreation have always been a staple of fundraising events. Cornhole has a particular set of advantages that make it the perfect fit for organizations seeking a low-cost, casual, and universally appealing event: 

• It’s a cost-efficient event: Cornhole has minimal upfront costs, making it easier to generate enough revenue to profit. You’ll likely hold the game outdoors, and the equipment is affordable enough to invest in multiple sets for large crowds. Should you need to move your plans indoors, you can skip the cost of elaborate decor or formal seating, as cornhole fans typically expect the event to be as casual as it is fun. 

• You can adapt it to your needs: Adapt your cornhole fundraiser to fit whatever crowd size or budget you’re working with. Equipment is compact and easy to transport, and your “arena” will fit in any indoor or outdoor venue with adequate space. 

• It attracts a variety of players: Cornhole appeals to players of all ages, abilities, and experience — there are even several professional cornhole leagues with televised matches! The game is also easy to learn, so even beginners or guests unfamiliar with the rules can jump into the action right away. The more extensive and diverse your guest list, the more likely you are to raise the funds you need. 

Three Essential Elements of a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser 

Your fundraiser can be as minimal or elaborate as your budget and goals permit. The three must-haves for every cornhole event are a comfortable event space, a tournament game plan, and a few other entertainment options on the itinerary.  

The Essentials for a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser: A Comfortable Event Space 

If you’re planning an outdoor fundraiser, you might consider a cleared field, a large backyard, a clean parking lot, or a private spot on the beach. Include a covered area, such as a pavilion or small building, to give your attendees a break from the sun. Having a temperature-controlled indoor room lets guests cool off when the weather’s too hot. You can also host an indoor cornhole fundraiser in a convention center, banquet hall, warehouse, or barn. 

Your venue should include enough room for several cornhole courts, about 8 feet wide and 40 feet long, with a 12-foot vertical clearance. You’ll also need spectator areas near each playing area with seating and standing room, a visible scorekeeping area, and designated eating areas with tables, chairs, and a serving station. 

Assign a front-and-center spot or booth near the entrance to showcase your fundraiser, register attendants, and provide event information. Make sure you have highly visible areas for entertainment areas for other activities, like an auction, live music, or bingo. 

Accessibility is crucial, so ensure that you have multiple clean, accessible restrooms and ample parking spaces that aren’t too far from the entrance. Depending on your location, weather can be a consideration. If you’re playing outdoors, be sure to have a backup (indoor) location or a plan for covered areas. 

The Essentials for a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser: A Tournament Gameplan 

The American Cornhole Association (ACO) has a downloadable tournament guide with the game’s official rules, guidelines, scoring instructions, and approved equipment list. You can also find printable ACO-approved tournament brackets for single- or double-elimination games for up to 64 players. Have a set of official brackets for players and scorekeepers. Consider passing some out to spectators, too, and make it a challenge! 

Your tournament gameplan should include any necessary rule adjustments, like arena dimensions, as well as the following: 

• Winner’s guidelines: You control your tournament’s rules, so you can choose how winners are declared. You might award smaller prizes to every team or player who wins a match, or give one ultimate prize to the tournament champion. While bragging rights are their own reward for most players, consider a cash prize or branded event swag, such as shirts, hats, and water bottles, if your marketing and event budgets allow. 

• Spectator engagement: Keep spectators engaged with a broadcasting system to announce winners. You can also consider livestreaming the event to a big screen if you expect a large crowd with limited visibility. 

• Team registration: Consider having teams sign up together before the event to keep tournament play even. Have a separate single-player league for solo players and last-minute registrants. GiveSmart can help with that!  

• Extra equipment: Keep a few extra bags and a set of boards nearby to accommodate more players than anticipated or for last-minute repairs or bag swaps.  

The Essentials for a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser: Additional Entertainment 

Though cornhole is a lot of fun for players and spectators, your venue can only hold so many matches at once. Schedule additional entertainment for spectators and players between matches.  

Depending on your crowd, you might have live music, bingo, silent auctions, or kid-friendly games. You could also consider a casual cornhole area for those who aren’t interested in competing but eager to try their hand at playing. 

Maximizing Revenue for your Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser  

It’s a fundraiser, so when you’re looking for ways to monetize your event, consider things like registration fees, raffles, branded event (or sponsor) swag, food sales, team sponsorships, branded scoreboards, and any premium divisions (for your experienced players looking for bragging rights). These option add-on features can skyrocket revenue potential and encourage multiple giving opportunities. 

Maximize revenue and host a successful event with these tips: 

• Take advantage of additional fundraising opportunities: The point of your fundraiser is to generate donations, so be sure to leverage every possible way to spark donor interest. You could include a raffle or auction the day of the event, charge an entry or registration fee, or set up a booth with event merchandise. 

• Keep the menu simple: Cornhole games are all about being playful, casual, and competitive, and the event menu should match that tone. Focus on cost efficiency and crowd-pleasing, easy-to-eat concessions. If you’re framing your event around a specific theme, like a parking lot carnival, lean into it with matching food and drink options. 

• Showcase the event sponsors: Showcase event sponsors and corporate donors with decorative banners, special seating areas, or vocal shoutouts throughout the tournament. You can also encourage donors to sponsor a team, player, or match and put their logo on the jerseys, bracket sheets, or cornhole boards. 

• Incorporate branding where you can: If you’re hoping to attract more donor interest beyond a one-time donation, incorporate organization branding where you can. Use cornhole equipment and event decorations with your organization’s name or contact information, and provide plenty of ways for attendees to learn about your cause during the fundraiser. 

Take Your Fundraiser to the Next Level With Tools From GiveSmart 

With a bit of prep work and the right guest list, a cornhole tournament fundraiser could easily become your organization’s next annual event. With our easy-to-use, highly-integrated platform, GiveSmart can take the work of registration, ticketing, mobile bidding, text alerts, raffles, and event check-in off your plate. Engage donors, manage event details, and create a memorable experience with industry-leading fundraising software from GiveSmart. Request a demo today!

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