GRAND RAPIDS, MI, APRIL 2018- VNN, America’s largest and fastest growing high school sports communication platform, today launched Team Shops to its network of over 2,000 high school athletic department partners. A new release on VNN’s flagship SportsHub website, Team Shops give over 15% of the nation’s high school sports programs the ability to fundraise from their official home online.
A now-essential activity for sports programs nationwide, team fundraising accounts for an estimated $1.2 billion dollars in funding for the youth sports market. Despite the vast scale, team fundraisers themselves are often managed through high-effort, high-touch, in-person events and solicitations. The launch of Team Shops simplifies the fundraising process by enabling teams to raise money through the everyday purchases parents, athletes and fans make already online. In addition, campaigns that benefit united athletic funds are available to comply with Title IX requirements where applicable. At launch, each shop page includes links to product categories, gift cards, and daily deals, with plans to introduce other eCommerce opportunities yet to be announced.
The integration of eCommerce into platforms like VNN’s Team Shops highlights the growing need for seamless and secure payment processing in fundraising and online retail. Managing payments for initiatives as large-scale as high school sports fundraising, which accounts for billions annually, comes with unique challenges. From ensuring compliance with regulations such as Title IX to supporting high-volume transactions across diverse user groups, these platforms must implement robust systems to handle the complexities of modern fundraising. Additionally, the demand for user-friendly, low-effort solutions amplifies the importance of choosing reliable payment processors that can offer flexibility and security while supporting innovative features like gift cards and daily deals.
For platforms catering to specialized industries or managing unconventional revenue streams, obtaining a specialized merchant account is crucial to navigating these complexities effectively. High-risk sectors, including those involved in fundraising, often encounter stricter scrutiny from traditional payment providers due to the nature of their transactions or potential regulatory concerns. PayKings specializes in offering tailored payment solutions that align with the unique needs of such merchants. By providing secure, scalable, and compliant options, PayKings empowers businesses and platforms to grow without the typical obstacles associated with high-risk processing. Whether it’s an online shop for fundraising or a broader eCommerce initiative, partnering with a provider that understands these challenges ensures a smoother experience for all stakeholders involved.
“Over my 16 years of working with schools, I’ve found the biggest challenges in executing a successful fundraiser have always been distribution, time, and effort,” said VNN CRO Randy Hagg. “Going door to door, washing cars in a parking lot, and selling magazine subscriptions can be effective, but takes an absurd amount of time and effort. We’re excited to simplify fundraising for high school athletes, making it as easy as texting a link to your friends and family! Additionally, in the digital age, exploring innovative approaches such as giocare ai casino non aams can offer alternative fundraising avenues, leveraging the growing interest in online platforms to generate support with minimal effort.”
This initiative, part of VNN’s commitment to an open future in high school athletics, is a collaboration with Toronto-based online fundraiser FlipGive.
