A Smarter Fundraiser for the Modern Baseball Community

For decades, fundraising in youth sports has looked the same.

Candy bars and coupon books and car washes with low margins, high friction, and lot of effort for modest return.

But as baseball and softball continue to evolve — not just on the field, but culturally and economically — the systems that support teams, programs, and families need to evolve with them.

That’s where Chinook Seedery’s new fundraising initiative quietly stands out.

A Fundraiser Built for the Way Baseball Actually Works

Earlier this month, Chinook Seedery announced a no-risk fundraising program designed for teams, schools, clubs, and community organizations. The structure is simple:

• No upfront inventory costs
• No financial risk for teams or families
• Orders are collected first
• Chinook fulfills the product
• Organizations keep the profit margin they set

It’s a model that feels familiar — think Girl Scout Cookies — but adapted to the rhythms of modern sports families.

Baseball and softball, in particular, are uniquely positioned for this kind of system. Long seasons. Tournament weekends. Travel teams. Tight-knit communities. Built-in social networks.

In other words, it's a perfect distribution ecosystem.

Why This Matters for Baseball & Softball

Fundraising isn’t just about money. It’s about access – to better facilities, to tournaments, to training, equipment, and opportunity.

What makes Chinook’s approach interesting is that it doesn’t ask families to gamble upfront capital or manage unsold inventory. Instead, it leverages demand first — a model that aligns far better with the economic realities of youth sports.

Many groups sell individual 1.5-oz bags for $4–$5, cases for $40–$50, or sampler packs for $15–$20, keeping the margin they choose. Out-of-town supporters can even participate via direct-shipped samplers, expanding the fundraising footprint beyond local circles.

That flexibility matters — especially in baseball and softball, where extended families, alumni, and distant supporters are often deeply invested in a program’s success.

Partnerships Manager Matt Beard explained why that alignment isn’t accidental:

“At Chinook Seedery, we feel a deep obligation to not only deliver a better-for-you sunflower seed but to act as true stewards of baseball and softball — where seeds are as iconic as the crack of the bat,” said Beard. “Drawing from my own days playing baseball and slogging through those endless cookie and chocolate fundraisers, we saw an opportunity to shake things up with a product that just clicks for baseball and softball teams.

Our no-risk program lets teams take orders upfront, we handle the rest, and they keep the profits — making fundraising as seamless as a double play. What sets our seeds apart for athletes and families spending long weekends at the field is that smooth, no-sandpaper-tongue experience, thanks to real, natural ingredients that keep you snacking without the discomfort. Backed by investors like Bobby Witt Jr. and Blake Snell, we’re building brand loyalty in new markets while empowering teams to fund those crucial trips, gear, and memories that grow the game for the next generation.”

A Product That Actually Fits the Athlete Lifestyle

Fundraisers work best when the product makes sense.

Chinook’s sunflower seeds — offered in flavors like Parmesan & Pepper, Jalapeño Ranch, Hatch Chili, Dill Pickle, Cinnamon Toast, Lemon Pepper, and more — check boxes that modern sports families care about:

• Non-GMO
• Lower sodium
• Gluten-free
• No MSG or artificial flavors
• Made with real ingredients

It’s a sideline staple, a travel-day staple, a dugout staple — which is exactly why Chinook has become the Official Seeds of USA Baseball.

From Snack Brand to Lifestyle Brand

What’s most interesting from a Business of Ball perspective is that this initiative signals something bigger.

Chinook is embedding themselves into the daily life of athletes, teams, and families.

That’s how lifestyle brands are built — not through ads alone, but through shared experiences: tournaments, fundraisers, road trips, dugouts, and post-game conversations.

Baseball and softball are ecosystems, and the brands that understand that tend to last.

The Bigger Picture

At Business of Ball, we pay close attention to initiatives like this because they reveal how the business side of the game is evolving.

Better fundraising models don’t just help teams survive — they help them grow, plan, and invest in the next generation of players.

And when brands like Chinook design programs that align with the realities of the sport — instead of forcing teams into outdated systems — everyone wins.

That’s how you grow the game.

If you’re a baseball or softball organization looking for a fundraising option that actually fits your community, Chinook’s program is worth a look.