Why is it called Bowl for Kids' Sake: Cornhole Edition?

For decades, friends, families, and companies gathered at the bowling alley in February and March to celebrate fundraising for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Covid-19 is changing everything, and Bowl for Kids' Sake is no different. This year only, we are leaving the gutter balls and rented shoes behind, to embrace change as the only constant. And cornhole. We're embracing our new favorite sport, too.

How does Bowl for Kids' Sake: Cornhole Edition work?

Form a 4 person team. New for 2021, teams are limited to 4 people only so that we can ensure social distancing. It's easiest if there's a team captain who helps lead the way.
Register for your cornhole party. Team Captains set the team up online, and let their team members know when to visit the website and join the team. With 9 two-hour parties to choose from across Allegan, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties, we can't wait to see you! Need help signing up? Detailed instructions are here.
Customize and share your fundraising webpage. It's easy and customized pages raise more money! Just log on, upload a photo, and share your story.
Raise funds for BBBS. By sending an email, text or tweet, posting a Facebook post, or asking a few friends for support, you can make a big difference in the lives of children in your community.
Hit your fundraising goal. Individual fundraising minimum: $60. Just ask for $20 from three friends. Team fundraising minimum: $240. Many teams raise much more than that! Reach Super Team status and get perks!
Play cornhole and have fun! Show up at your scheduled BFKS party and have a terrific time with your teammates.

How do I register for Bowl for Kids' Sake online?

Click here to register and you will be guided through the registration process. Team captains create their teams, and team members join the created teams. Once your signup is complete, you will receive a confirmation email receipt with a link to your personal fundraising webpage. If you need assistance registering, you'll find detailed instructions here, or please contact Kori Jock by email or by calling 269-382-6800 ext. 103.

Do I need to personalize my page?

People who edit their website to explain why they are raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters raise a lot more money. It only takes a few minutes to add a picture and a few words. If you need assistance, please contact Kori Jock by email or by calling 269-382-6800 ext. 103.

I am a Team Captain. What do I need to do?

1) Recruit 3 more people to join your team. Note: New for 2021 - teams are limited to 4 individuals total to ensure social distancing is possible. Have more than 4 people? Recruit a second team captain to help you round out a second team!
2) Sign up for a bowling party that works for your team (click on Create a Team). Detailed instructions for team registration are here.
3) Let your team members know the team is set up. Ask your team members to join your team when they register online.
4) Encourage team members to raise $60 or more to meet your team goal. You can share information about the impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters on your community, keep your team informed about incentive prizes, and communicate their success (Katie just got a $50 donation! Joel has already exceeded his goal of $200! Our team just surpassed the $1,000 mark!).
5) Have Fun! Join us at your cornhole party to celebrate your team’s success! Remember, it’s not about how good at cornhole you are, it’s celebrating the impact the money your team raised will have on your community!
6) Say THANK YOU! Thank your team members for their time and commitment to participate! Don’t forget to say thank you to the people who donated to you! Call or e-mail them after the event to let them know how much money your team raised and thank them for supporting local children!

I saw that PNC is matching gifts. How does that work?

If you are new to Bowl for Kids' Sake and have never bowled with us before, Presenting Sponsor, PNC Bank welcomes you with a special matching gift to double your impact.

Every dollar you raise will be matched by a generous gift from PNC until we reach our goal of $2,500 from fundraisers new to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Your donors' gifts will be doubled!

For every $1 you raise, BBBS will get $2! When you raise $60, PNC will match it, turning your impact into $120 until new Bowl for Kids' Sake fundraisers have raised $2,500! Please note, the matching gift does not count towards Super Team status.

BBBS will track folks who are new to BFKS and their fundraising. We will make an announcement when the matching challenge has been met. Start your fundraising early to take advantage- these funds will go fast!

Use these fundraising tips to help amp up your team's fundraising efforts.

I need some quick ideas on how to fundraise. Any suggestions?

You can send emails and use social media to reach out to your networks. And don't forget about letters, phone calls, and maybe even a bake sale. Get creative! Need more help? Send Kori Jock an email or call 269-382-6800 ext. 103! She'll be happy to brainstorm a few ideas with you!

How can I see who has donated to me and who has joined my team?

Can friends and family make a donation to me by going through the main Bowl for Kids' Sake website?

Yes. On the home page of the website, friends and family can locate you by clicking on the Donate button. By searching for your name in the search bar pictured below, they will be directed to your personalized fundraising page.

Can my family and friends donate by cash or check?

Sure! Many cornhole players find it easier to keep track of checks. Simply keep track of your donations on a donation sheet and turn the cash/checks in with the donation sheet when you come to your cornhole party. Download the donation form.

Where does the money raised from Bowl for Kids' Sake: Cornhole Edition go?

100% of the money raised through Bowl for Kids' Sake: Cornhole Edition stays here in our community. We depend on the money raised from Bowl for Kids' Sake to carry out the work of carefully matching children with caring adult mentors and providing ongoing support to the child, volunteer mentor and child's family. Check out the About section of our website for more information on how Big Brothers Big Sisters works.

Why is the "Donate to a Fundraiser" search not finding someone that I know has registered?

You must type in the first name or last name of the cornhole player exactly how they entered it when they registered. Try using just the first few letters of someone's name if you're not sure how it's spelled. If you have a problem locating a cornhole player that you are sure has registered, please contact us.

All of my donors are not showing up on the scroll mechanism. Why?

Some donors prefer to keep their gifts anonymous. When someone makes a donation, they can choose if they would like to have their name, donation amount, and/or a message appear on your personal page.

Is my information secure?

Yes. Engaging Networks has made every effort to protect your information. We use industry-standard SSL encryption techniques to make sure that your credit card information, passwords, and personal information travel securely over the Internet. We have also installed an encryption engine on our database server so that your data is securely stored.

What is the long website address in my confirmation receipt?

This website address will take you to your personal donation page. This address link is automatically included in any emails that are sent through the email center in event headquarters after you have logged into the website. You can also copy and paste this link into any other form of email.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake - Frequently Asked Questions