The State of Booster Clubs in 2026

What does it really take for Booster Clubs to survive—and thrive—in 2026?  As funding shifts, expectations rise, and responsibilities grow, many clubs are being pushed to operate more like full-scale nonprofits than volunteer groups. In this episode of The Boosted Volunteer, the roles are flipped as Evan Eissler interviews co-host Robin Eissler, CEO and founder of Booster Hub. Drawing from her experience working with thousands of Booster Clubs nationwide, Robin shares a candid look at the biggest challenges clubs face today—and the strategies that separate those that are thriving from those barely getting by. If your Booster Club feels stretched or unsure what to focus on next, this episode gets straight into the real issues. Key Takeaways 1:40 Funding is shifting—Booster Clubs are carrying more of the load 3:04 Booster Clubs vs PTO/PTA—what makes them different 4:32 Why some clubs thrive (and others burn out) 5:35 Strong clubs plan ahead—not just for the season 7:03 Communication gaps cause most problems 8:13 Compliance basics many clubs get wrong 11:20 “Mandatory fees” and where it gets tricky 12:54 Payment methods that can create risk 15:17 How to prevent fraud and money issues 17:06 Why credit cards can actually increase revenue 18:00 SMS works better than email for engagement 19:20 Planning for leadership and financial stability 22:30 Creating excitement around volunteering 23:24 One simple habit: reconcile your bank account To learn how Booster Hub can help you improve communication, increase engagement, and manage your Booster Club more effectively, visit www.boosterhub.com. Be sure to subscribe to The Boosted Volunteer so you never miss an episode packed with insights for today’s Booster Club leaders.