Coaches
The Coaches page is a central hub where DNHS coaches can quickly access key resources, forms, and support from the Athletic Foundation.
Nighthawk Coaches
Coach Resources
Welcome to the DNHS Athletic Foundation coach resources hub. Here you’ll find everything you need to fund and run a successful athletic program — from disbursement requests to fundraising tools, and available technology.
The DNHS Athletic Foundation partners with coaches to close the gap between what it takes to run strong athletic programs and what the district can fund, providing tools, support, and fundraising services that help coaches secure the resources their teams need.
Disbursement Requests
Submit a disbursement request when you are ready for the Athletic Foundation to release approved funds for equipment, services, or expenses that support your team’s needs.
Submit the disbursement request form to the Athletic Director for review and approval; once approved, the Athletic Foundation can release funds for your team’s eligible expenses.
Handbook Sections
Coach Resources
Fundraising Support
Sponsorship packages, direct donations, matching gifts, and creative fundraising ideas for your team.
Tracking & Disbursing Funds
How to request disbursements, submit grant requests, and track your program’s account balance.
Technology
Access iPads, MiFi hotspots, Zettle card readers, and NEST Live Stream capabilities for your program.
Partnering with the Foundation
Attend monthly meetings, designate parent liaisons, and leverage volunteers to strengthen your program.
Fundraising Support
Coaching practices and games is just one part of building a successful sports program. High-performing programs need new equipment, facilities maintenance, training opportunities, team-building events, competition fees, video and photography, social marketing, transportation, and more. These activities require money — most of which comes through fundraising organized by coaches and parent volunteers.
Fundraising Sources
- Sponsorship packages — Individual and business sponsors get advertising in the local community and positive brand association. Use the Sponsorship Package to help your team and parent volunteers secure sponsors.
- Player fair share contributions — Voluntary per-season donations from athlete families.
- Direct donations — Drive donors to your team’s dedicated donation page.
- Corporate matching — Many employers match charitable donations. See the Support page for details.
- Snap Raise campaigns — Online fundraising platform popular with sports teams.
- Restaurant/business revenue sharing — Partner with local businesses for a share of proceeds on designated nights.
- Gift baskets — Auctioned at the Nighthawks Auction event.
- Game day snack bars — Run a snack bar at home events.
- Creative options — Holiday gift wrapping, game day raffles, youth summer camps, and more.
Tracking & Disbursing Funds
The Athletic Foundation tracks all transactions for each sport’s account. The Treasurer can provide a transaction report showing funds flowing in and out of your program’s account at any time.
Grant Requests
You can also request funding directly from the Athletic Foundation for needs beyond your current account balance. Grant requests require Athletic Director approval and must include:
- Projected program budget
- Fundraising completed or planned with estimated contributions
- Rationale for requesting foundation funding vs. other sources
- Supporting documentation (example: Girls Lacrosse Budget and Funding Request)
Technology
The following technology resources are available to DNHS coaches through the Athletic Foundation:
- NEST Live Stream — Live broadcast capability for your team’s sporting events. Visit the Live Sports page to learn more. Visit the Live Stream Setup page for detailed instructions on setting up live stream.
- iPads — Touchscreen tablets available for team use.
- MiFi — Portable wireless broadband hotspot device.
- Zettle — Point-of-sale device for accepting card and contactless payments at games and events.
Partnering with the Foundation
Stay aware of the latest resources and take advantage of fundraising opportunities by:
- Attending monthly meetings — The Foundation meets once a month on DNHS grounds. An email with the schedule is sent to all coaches.
- Designating a parent liaison for each team (Varsity, JV, Freshmen) — Encourage at least one parent per team to attend Foundation meetings and bring back information.
Leveraging Parent Volunteers
- Enforce completion of team tasks like online registration and voluntary payments
- Organize team-building events and meals
- Manage game day sign-ups (snack bar, scoreboard, tickets)
- Organize end-of-year banquets and senior night
- Run fundraising events, campaigns, and sponsorship sales
- Organize media programs, video, photography, and live streaming
Ready to Support Del Norte Athletics?
Your gift helps fund essential equipment, facilities, and coaching so every Nighthawk athlete has the opportunity to train, compete, and succeed.