"Our goal is to foster local, regional, national and international participation and competition in the game of Rugby Union Football, and to create an environment where members of the community can learn the laws and practice of Rugby, thus improving their capabilities as players."
Dave Peil, then owner of Grumpy’s Bar in Minneapolis, worked with a local rugby club The Metropolis RFC hosting fundraisers and third halves, tossed around the idea of starting a new predominantly gay rugby club.
Following the model laid out in the “Starting a Club[usurped]” primer by San Francisco Fog RFC founder Derrick Mickle, Peil set out generating interest through posters in bars, talking to whoever would listen, and starting a Yahoo Group (TCGayRugby) to communicate with interested people.
The interest came in from around the country, board members from clubs in larger cities offering advice and words of caution that it may take a year to get enough players to field a team.
A short-term goal was enough members to make strong showing at the Pride Festival in June 2005, a major recruiting opportunity.
Additional fundraisers include quarterly, themed beer busts, car washes, silent auctions, and partnerships with local breweries.
Mayhem also raises money for the Special Olympics through participating in the Twin Cities Polar Plunge.
On January 21, 2009, it was announced that the Minneapolis Mayhem will host the 2010 Bingham Cup at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.