Parent Resource Center
ABF helps parents navigate the financial, fundraising, travel, scholarship, recruiting, and NIL side of sports — connecting families with useful resources and real opportunities.
ABF is not a legal, medical, recruiting, or coaching authority. Where professional guidance is required, we point you to the right source.
Paying for Sports
Registration fees, equipment, travel, uniforms — youth sports costs add up fast. ABF connects families with discounts, fundraising tools, and scholarship opportunities to reduce what comes out of pocket.
Team Discounts
ABF partners offer gear, apparel, nutrition, and equipment discounts for teams and athletes enrolled in ABF programs.
Browse Discounts →Fundraising Programs
Donation campaigns, product fundraisers, and discount cards your team can run to cover costs without asking families to pay more.
See All Programs →Scholarships
ABF awards annual scholarships to student-athletes funded through community fundraising. Apply or nominate a deserving athlete.
Scholarship Info →Fundraising & Sponsorships
Whether your team needs to raise $500 or $50,000, ABF has a program that fits. Individual athletes can fundraise independently, and teams can run full campaigns with business sponsor support.
Start a Campaign
Tax-deductible online fundraising through ABF's 501(c)(3) status. Donors anywhere give in minutes. No upfront cost for the team.
Start a Campaign →Individual Athlete Fundraising
Athletes can fundraise for their own training, gear, or fees. ABF supports individual campaigns separate from the team.
Athlete Fundraising →Community & Business Support
Local businesses can sponsor your team through ABF. The Donor Alley lets supporters back your campaign directly.
Donor Alley → Business Partners →Scholarships & Opportunities
ABF awards scholarships to student-athletes and connects families with additional funding opportunities. Deadlines and eligibility vary by source.
ABF Annual Scholarship
Community-funded scholarships awarded at year-end. Applications open toward the end of each year. Tell us your story early.
Scholarship Details →Athlete Support Programs
ABF connects athletes with training resources, NIL education, nutrition guidance, and program support beyond just scholarship dollars.
Athlete Resources →Important: Eligibility requirements, award amounts, and deadlines vary. Always verify details directly with the official source before applying or making decisions based on scholarship information.
Recruiting & College Resources
ABF provides guides and resources to help families understand the recruiting process, NCAA eligibility, and NIL rules. Recruiting rules change frequently — always verify with official governing bodies.
Recruiting Guide
A practical overview of the recruiting timeline, what coaches look for, and how to position your athlete for visibility at the next level.
Read the Guide →College NIL Guide
How NIL works at the college level, what athletes can and can't do, and what families should know before signing or posting anything.
College NIL Guide →Official Governing Bodies
For eligibility determinations, recruiting rules, and compliance questions, go directly to the source.
NCAA.org → NAIA.org → NJCAA.org →Travel & Tournament Resources
Tournament season means coordinating hotel blocks, group travel, and logistics for parents and athletes. ABF's Engine partnership simplifies team travel bookings.
Engine — Team Travel & Hotel Blocks
Engine specializes in group hotel bookings for sports teams. Reserve hotel blocks for your next tournament or away game without the usual headaches. ABF connects teams directly with Engine's team travel support.
Request Team Travel Support →Tournament Travel Checklist
Use the checklist below to prepare for tournament travel — hotel coordination, packing, logistics, and family communication.
See Parent Tools section ↓
NIL Education for Families
NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rules have changed the game for student-athletes. Before your athlete signs anything or posts sponsored content, understand the rules and risks.
NIL Parent Guide
Written for parents who want to understand NIL without a law degree. What it is, what your athlete can do, and what to watch out for.
Read the Parent Guide →College NIL Guide
Covers how NIL works at the collegiate level, key differences from high school, and what changes once your athlete signs with a school.
College NIL Guide →NIL Opportunities
ABF's NIL partner program connects eligible athletes with brand and sponsorship opportunities managed under ABF's infrastructure.
NIL Opportunities →Checklists & Planning Tools
Save these, share them with your team, and use them every season.
Season Planning Checklist
Use this at the start of each season to get ahead of the logistics that sneak up on every sports family.
- Confirm registration deadlines and fees for the season
- Review the season schedule — note travel games and tournaments
- Set a family sports budget (registration, gear, travel, meals)
- Check if the team is running a fundraiser — volunteer or donate early
- Update athlete health/insurance records with the school or league
- Confirm uniform and equipment requirements and sizes
- Connect with team parent coordinator for communication channels
- Note scholarship application windows and mark calendar reminders
- Review NIL rules if your athlete has social media presence or endorsement interest
- Block team travel dates on family calendar
Fundraising Checklist
Whether your team is running a campaign or your athlete is fundraising solo, this keeps you organized.
- Confirm the fundraising program with the coach or team manager
- Set a personal fundraising goal for your athlete
- Build your contact list — family, friends, neighbors, coworkers
- Draft a short, personal message explaining why you’re fundraising
- Share campaign link via text, email, and social media
- Follow up with people who opened but didn’t donate (one follow-up is fine)
- Thank every donor individually — this matters more than most families realize
- Track progress against the team’s goal and share updates
- Ask local businesses if they want to sponsor your team through ABF
- Post campaign completion results and thank supporters publicly
Tournament Travel Checklist
Tournament travel is where planning makes the biggest difference. Cover the basics early so game day is about the game.
- Confirm tournament location, dates, and check-in times
- Book hotel early — ask coach if the team is using a hotel block (Engine can help)
- Arrange transportation to/from hotel and venue
- Pack uniform, gear, and backup uniform if available
- Bring cash for concessions, parking, and unexpected costs
- Confirm athlete dietary needs and plan for meals on the road
- Download tournament bracket or schedule to your phone
- Bring athlete’s insurance card and emergency contact information
- Charge all devices and bring portable battery packs
- Coordinate carpool with other families if driving to reduce costs
- Know the weather forecast and pack accordingly
We’re Here to Help Your Family Navigate This.
Whether you need guidance on fundraising, scholarships, NIL, travel support, or just figuring out where to start — reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.