This summer in New Orleans, the USA Gymnastics National Congress & Trade Show brought together athletes, coaches, club owners, and industry leaders from across the country. Known for its excellent lineup of workshops and its expansive trade show floor, the event showcased the latest innovations shaping the sport, from training equipment to performance gear to cutting-edge technology.

Amid all of this, Plantd stood out for a different reason. While most exhibitors focused on what happens inside the gym, we introduced something every program depends on but rarely gets attention at events like this: fundraising.

Bringing Fundraising Into the Conversation

Gymnastics requires more than skill and dedication; it requires resources. Travel, equipment, competition fees, and facility costs add up quickly, and clubs often rely on fundraising to bridge the gap. Yet, too often, fundraising feels like a burden: time-consuming, complicated, and uninspiring.

At the Congress, Plantd changed that conversation. As the only fundraising solution provider on the entire trade show floor, we showcased a platform built to make fundraising simple, transparent, and meaningful. Every campaign is easy to launch, effortless to share, and, most importantly, creates impact twice over: supporting athletes while restoring forests worldwide.

What makes it even more powerful is the flexibility and visibility it gives teams and families:

• Fundraise from anywhere: Parents, athletes, and supporters can contribute and share directly from their phones or laptops—no door-to-door sales or paper forms.

• Real-time updates: Clubs can see progress instantly as donations come in, eliminating the guesswork.

• Leaderboards and tracking: Built-in features let gyms monitor performance, encourage friendly competition, and celebrate milestones.

• Mobile access: Coaches and families can follow along on the go, keeping momentum high until the goal is reached.

Together, these features turn fundraising from a stressful chore into an engaging, community-driven experience that people actually want to be part of.

Building Awareness and Relationships

Our focus during the event was threefold: 

• Raise awareness about a modern, digital-first approach to team and club fundraising.

• Build relationships with gym owners, coaches, and organizations eager for sustainable solutions.

• Engage supporters to keep the conversation going and turn interest into action.

The response was clear. Coaches and club leaders immediately recognized the value of a system that saves time and promotes pride in the process. What resonated most was that Plantd fundraisers don’t just cover costs, they also give athletes and families a chance to rally around a bigger mission: helping the planet thrive.

Looking Beyond New Orleans

For Plantd, participating in the USA Gymnastics National Congress & Trade Show was more than a moment; it was a milestone. It gave us the chance to listen to the challenges the gymnastics community faces, introduce a practical solution, and start building lasting partnerships.

But this is only the beginning. Plantd will continue:

• Expanding into youth sports, where funding challenges are most pressing.

• Supporting gyms and clubs with fundraising tools that reduce stress and maximize results.

• Aligning every dollar raised with reforestation, so fundraisers don’t just solve today’s needs but create lasting environmental impact.

Our mission is simple: to make fundraising something teams are proud to run, families are proud to support, and communities are proud to share.

Turn Every Dollar Raised Into Double Impact

Gymnastics is a sport built on discipline, precision, and resilience. Fundraising should reflect the same values. At the USA Gymnastics Congress, Plantd proved that it can.

If your gym, team, or club is seeking a fundraising solution that supports athletes and helps restore forests, we’d love to partner with you.

Gymnastics is built on precision, resilience, and ambition. Fundraising should echo those strengths, making it efficient, inspiring, and lasting. At this year’s Congress, Plantd began shaping that future.

Ready to do more than raise money? Want to fuel your athletes and forests at once? Explore campaigns that have already planted trees while supporting teams and launch your own.

There’s no better time to do good while doing well.
Start Your Fundraiser with Plantd