Jayden Nance is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication student assigned to cover Pinnacle High School for AZPreps365.com.

PHOENIX – On the field, Pinnacle High School’s football program has become a consistent contender in Arizona’s 6A conference. Off the field, a dedicated network of parents and community members ensures the Pioneers have the resources to stay competitive year after year.

Behind the scenes, the Pinnacle Football Booster Club drives a strong fundraising operation that provides most of the resources keeping the program competitive at the 6A level.

Through local sponsorships, community events and volunteer support, the booster club fuels key aspects of the program. From uniforms and travel expenses to safety gear and technology upgrades, the organization’s financial support has become essential to the team’s success. 

“The funds are limited with what we are given, and with funding for all our sports, the funds do run out quickly,”  athletic director David Abrams said. “So, without our boosters, things would look drastically different in what we can do for our kids to support them and the sport itself.”

The club’s largest fundraising effort comes through its annual Membership Drive, which helps generate more than 90% of the football program’s operating budget. The booster club manages a yearly budget of about $250,000, which covers equipment, helmets, meals, uniforms and travel.

Membership levels range from Silver at $100 to Pioneer at $1,000. Every membership provides a clear Pinnacle tote bag and name recognition during live-stream broadcasts.

Higher tiers offer exclusive perks. The Platinum level adds upgraded rewards, while Pioneer members receive a stadium chair, VIP parking at home games and free access to all home games. More details are available on the Pinnacle Football website.

Families can also offset the cost of membership by finding local business sponsors. The booster club offers two tiers of sponsorship — a standard level and a corporate level — giving families options for how they want local businesses to support the program. Sponsors receive advertising in the stadium, recognition on live broadcasts and inclusion in the game-day program.

“We have lots of support within the community. Most of it is local businesses that look for exposure and everything, but one of our goals is always that cost is never going to be prohibitive for a kid to play football, because it’s an expensive sport,” Liza Richards, Vice President of Pinnacle Booster Club, said.

During the 2024-25 school year, the booster club organized “Dine 2 Donate” events, raising hundreds of dollars for the program. The club purchased new varsity uniforms, upgraded coaches’ headsets and maintained key equipment, including the team’s practice drone.

Additional support included player scholarships for camps, new practice uniforms, and subscriptions to Hudl, the team’s video review platform. The club also funded senior gifts, organized a season-ending banquet, and hosted a summer kickoff event for parents and families.

Booster Club President Ofa Weaver said the organization’s work extends far beyond game day.

“It’s an all-season type thing,” Weaver said. “It’s paying for yoga for them to do on Saturdays, keeping their bodies healthy, making sure that the team meals are nutritional, and finding small businesses, companies to come in and do this for our kids.”

Beyond athletics, Pinnacle football has made community service a core part of its program. The team has partnered with St. Mary’s Food Bank, Packages From Home, The Singletons and Project Gathering Humanity to give back to families in need. Players and parents volunteered to pack emergency food boxes, collect toiletries and donate holiday gifts to recently displaced families.