Bowl for Kids’ Sake
2026
Join us for a day of fun, community, and making a BIG impact for local youth!
Choose the date and location that works best for you:
Saturday, February 28
Colonial Lanes, Iowa City
9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, or 1:30 PM
Friday, March 6
Bowl Dogs, North Liberty
3:30 PM
Sunday, March 8
Bowl Dogs, North Liberty
12:30 PM (Reserved for GreenState and Riverside Casino & Golf Resort)
What is Bowl for Kids' Sake?
Bowl for Kids’ Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County’s signature fundraising event. This year, we’re celebrating our 50th anniversary!
Gather your friends, family, or coworkers for a day of bowling while supporting life-changing mentorship for local youth.
How to Get Involved
Form a Team
Ask your friends or coworkers to join your team! Teams work together to reach a collective fundraising goal. Up to 6 bowlers per team.
Team Goal: $600
Sign Up as an Individual
Don’t have a full team? No problem! Register as an individual and set your own fundraising goal. We’ll pair you with other individual bowlers to create a team on event day if you want to bowl, but bowling is optional.
Minimum: $100 per individual
Donate to a Team
Can’t make it to bowl? You can still make a BIG impact by supporting a team or individual bowler. Your donation directly supports mentorship programs for local youth.
Corporate Sponsorship
Become a Golden Anniversary Sponsor
Align your company with 50 years of proven community impact. Corporate sponsorships provide visibility, demonstrate your commitment to youth development, and offer meaningful team-building opportunities for your employees.
Our tiered sponsorship packages include recognition at the event, on promotional materials, and across our social media channels.
- Strike: $5K
- Spare: $2,500
- Shift: $1,500
- Lane: $1,000
The Ultimate Vacation Raffle
Your chance to win an unforgettable giveaway!
100 tickets available
$100 per ticket
Choose from 5 amazing vacations:
- New Orleans Jazz & Dining (airfare included)
- San Diego Whale Watching
- Costa Rica Getaway
- CMA Fest 2026 in Nashville
- Pro Sports Fan Getaway (airfare included)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an experienced bowler to participate?
Absolutely not! Bowl for Kids’ Sake is about having fun and supporting a great cause—not about bowling skills. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We provide bumpers for those who need them, and the atmosphere is all about celebration, not competition.
Where does the money go?
Every dollar raised supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County’s mentorship programs. Funds help us recruit, train, and support volunteers; match caring adults with youth who need mentors; and provide ongoing support for all our matches to ensure lasting, positive relationships.
How many people can be on a team?
Each team can have up to 6 bowlers. Larger teams can split fundraising responsibilities among more people, which often makes reaching your goal easier and more fun.
What if I don’t have enough people for a full team?
That’s okay! You can register as an individual, and we’ll pair you with other individual registrants to create a team on the day of the event. You’ll get to meet new people who share your commitment to supporting local youth!
Is there a registration fee?
There’s no upfront registration fee, but participants commit to fundraising. Individual bowlers commit to raising a minimum of $100, and teams work together to raise $600. These commitments ensure we can support as many youth mentorship matches as possible.
Can I collect cash and checks, or does it have to be online?
You can collect donations however works best for you! We provide online fundraising pages for easy sharing via email and social media, but we also accept cash and checks. Just make checks payable to “Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County.”
What’s included on the day of bowling?
Your bowling experience includes an event t-shirt, opportunities to win door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, music, and most importantly, good times with great people! It’s a celebration of community and the power of mentorship.
Is there a theme this year? Should we dress up?
We’re celebrating our 50th anniversary with a birthday theme! While it’s entirely optional, many teams enjoy dressing up or creating their own team shirts or costumes.
How much does each team have to raise?
Teams commit to raising $600 collectively, while individual bowlers commit to $100. These fundraising goals help us support our mentorship programs throughout the year. Remember, team members can split fundraising responsibilities, making it easier to reach your goal together!
What if I can’t come up with the $100 minimum myself?
Personal outreach can go a long way. Reach out to friends, family members, and coworkers for donations. You can ask donors to pledge a specific amount for every pin you knock down during your games (e.g., $20 per pin). Or ask friends to buy your strikes—for every strike, they agree to donate $5.
Social media is also a great way to get support. Even if 10 friends donate just $10, you’ll reach your $100 goal!
Is this an all-ages event?
Yes! Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a family-friendly event welcoming participants of all ages. Children are welcome as bowlers or spectators, making this a perfect opportunity for families to participate in community service together.
Do I have to be a Big to participate?
Not at all! While we love when our current and former Bigs participate, Bowl for Kids’ Sake is open to everyone in the community. You don’t need any connection to BBBS to participate—just a desire to support local youth and have a great time doing it.