Tuition Fundraising
The Seattle Cascades are so excited to have you as a member!
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The tuition costs of performing with the Cascades can seem overwhelming. Membership tuition covers many costs: Touring travel, fuel, housing, costuming, food, instruction, instruments, insurance and operations.
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A typical camp for soccer, dance, football, tech, can cost up to $500 for ONE day, but the Cascades 63-Day summer tour costs approximately $79 A DAY thanks to the industrious work and sponsorship of so many contributors and performance fees.​
Take the time, put in great energy and these opportunities will pay off.
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Many past members have paid for their tuition by using these funding options.
Contracted Cascades students have the following available to them!
Recruiting Commission
Successfully Recruit a New Member - Receive $250 Tuition Break
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A current member brings a new qualifying member to the Seattle Cascades to fully participate as a performer that same year. A referral must result in a contracted membership status for the newly recruited member.
This tuition break is applied for each new member referred; for example, if a single member recruits 4 prospects who all receive contracts, that member would receive a $1,000 tuition break.
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Multiple current members cannot receive this discount for recruiting the same new member.
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Members who have previously marched any season with Cascades can not be considered a "New" member.
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HOW? When the new member registers, they must claim you as their "Referral"​​
Recruitment Booth
Work a Shift at Recruiting Booth - Receive $50 to $100 Tuition Break
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Only one event still available for 2025 season: WGI Portland Regional, Mar 8th, Liberty HS
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1 Shift (4 hours) = $50
2 Shifts (All Day) = $100
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Set up and tear down booth, technology, and souvenirs.
Communicate with potential new members about Cascades and your experiences. Help them sign up online.
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First to contact, gets these last opportunities.
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HOW? Use the form below or contact Anthony Barei​​
DCI Championships Raffle
Sell 10 Raffle Tickets - Receive $100 Tuition Break
Every Ticket After the First Ten - $10 Tuition Break Each
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1st Prize: 2025 DCI World Championships Experience in Indianapolis, IN
Round Trip Airfare for 2 Provided by Alaska Airlines (Total Estimated value - $5,000)
2 Tickets to DCI Prelims on Thursday
2 Tickets to DCI Semi-Finals on Friday
2 Tickets to DCI World Championship Finals Saturday
4 Nights stay at a Indy Area Hotel
Or 2 Round Trip Tickets anywhere Alaska flies & $1,000 cash ($3,500 value)
2nd Prize: $2,500 Cash
3rd Prize: $1,000 Cash
4th Prize: $500 Cash
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Ticket price $25 each. The person buying the ticket(s) should complete the information on every ticket stub they purchase, which includes name, address, and phone number.
Give the ticket to the buyer and keep the stub.
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Sell digitally by collecting money through Venmo/Paypal, fill out the ticket for them, and send them a photo of the ticket. (Cannot use mail)
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Money and ticket stubs should be returned at each camp. You may get more tickets at each camp.
All money, ticket stubs, and unsold tickets must be returned on the 1st day of all days in June.
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Drawing for winners take place on July 4th, 2025.
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HOW? Get tickets at a camp and start selling them.​​
Start a GoFundMe Campaign - Receive Donations Online
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Build your GoFundMe account and messaging.
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Successful messaging should include photos of you performing and a genuine story about why you are worthy of donations and your enthusiam about the experience of drum corps/traveling/performing/friends/growing as a person/etc. Put honest effort into this and people will donate.
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You will need to share your bank account info. This is a completely trusted site, but if you are concerned about extreme digital privacy, then this might not be the fundraiser for you.
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Share your GoFundMe link with family, friends, peers, neighbors, alumni and the entire world.
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Suggest to your family that instead of holiday gifts, if they could donate to your tuition.
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Receive donations deposited into your bank account. Use this money to pay for Cascades tuition.
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HOW? Go to GoFundMe and get started.​​
Sponsorship Letters
Write Letters and Emails - Receive Donations
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Members use a standard Sponsorship Letter and add any personalisation you would like.
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Explain what you are doing and why it was important to you. Being in a drum corps is prestigious. You are one of the top performers in your age bracket. Assume the person reading has no idea what drum corps is.
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Mail, deliver or email the letter to friends, family, teachers, local businesses to try and receieve sponsorships. The potential sponsor can then mail-in their donation to the Seattle Cascades on behalf of the member.
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Some recommendations include the following:​
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Family Doctors (medical, dental, optometrist, etc.)
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Local Stores (Fred Meyer, Safeway, etc.)
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PTOs
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Youth and Church organizations
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Booster Organizations
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Optimist Clubs
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Lions Club
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Knights of Columbus
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American Legion
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VFW Posts
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HOW? Download sponsorship letter example and get started.​​
Digital Program Sales
Sell Digital Event Program Advertisements - Receive $16 to $240 Per Ad
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The NYMA hosts approximately 5 events each year. Viewed by 10,000+
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The Northwest Youth Fall Games Hillsboro
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The Northwest Youth Fall Games Kelso
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WGI Portland Regional
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Seattle Northwest Youth Music Games
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Portland Northwest Youth Music Games
Ads for these event programs are sold once and are displayed once for a SINGLE event, or ALL Events for one full year.
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These various levels range from $40 - $600.
Choose an Ad level: Single or All (event selection @ checkout)
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Sponsor pays online, then receives an email from NYMA, Sponsor can then send artwork/link to that email.​
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HOW? Go out and sell Ads to businesses, family & friends using the link below.​​
Scholarships
22 Different Drum Corps Scholarships - Various Award Amounts
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There is generally around $85,000 or more available in multiple Scholarships.
Members who are working toward a contract (i.e. still in the audition process) can apply for many of these options.
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They each have their own unique application processes. Take the time, put in the effort early.
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Deadlines for these scholarships are usually around March 15th.
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HOW? Go to the link, pick which Scholarships (or all!) and start applying.​​
Cascades Scholarships
Awarded to Good-Standing Members - Various Award Amounts
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Scholarships are only awarded in the Spring.
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Awarded to dedicated members that have demonstrated specific needs and/or financial limitations.
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HOW? Communicate with leadership and your caption-head about your financial concerns.​​
Success is Not an Accident. It Takes Work!
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Sponsorship opportunities await, but you must reach out and put in the effort to attract these funds to you. These partnerships aren't just funds; they're an opportunity to propel you to new heights.
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We know you can do it!