FUNDRAISING Fundraising goals can defray reunion costs, provide money for members to attend or raise scholarship money for young members. Following are ways some reunions add to their coffers.
LONG-RANGE FUNDRAISING Many reunion groups do long-range, participatory, fundraising projects.
Quilts Quilts can be auctioned or raffled at the reunion. Distribute quilt pieces eight to ten months or more in advance and collect to be sewn together. Stress deadlines. To collect quilt materials: Buy and prepare 6''x 6'' cotton squares. Send with instructions (see below). Emphasize and enforce deadlines.
Quilt Announcement We are making a (name of reunion) quilt. Please decorate and submit a 6''x 6'' square of material suitable for a quilt. Decorations from young and old should highlight a (name of reunion) feat or legend. Encourage little ones to include masterpieces. Sign each piece. Send your square by (date) to (name and address). If you have questions, call Aunt _________ at (phone number). Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. In about four months, send a motivational postcard. Emphasize deadline. Stragglers may need phone calls. Avoid disappointment. Include a date after which squares can no longer be accepted.
PUBLISHING PROJECTS Publishing involves many details and can be expensive. Your primary buyers are your own members so make sure they’re interested in publishing projects. Reunion books are best sellers only in your group. Poll members to determine interest. Collect orders or get an idea of how many you can sell before you incur the expense of printing and binding. Cookbooks Cookbooks are a very popular reunion project. They are a challenge and should not be entered into lightly. Cookbooks can highlight family history, traditions and food specialities. Specialty cookbook companies can help you from conception to delivery. Memory books Send every member instructions about what to write. Compile anecdotes, tales, childhood memories, special events, stories about ancestors or past reunions and pictures. Family genealogy books In addition to family history, ask members to submit biographies and anecdotes, along with their place in history, to make foreparents come alive. Reunion history books Reunion videos Oral history tapes Reproductions Reunion videos, oral history tapes, photos (new and restorations).
CORPORATE UNDERWRITING Some reunion groups have been successful at obtaining corporate support. You can solicit much more than just money. Products and services can be just as valuable. Search for companies who are reunion-friendly. Enlist someone who can make an eloquent case for why a company or business should help your reunion and how your reunion might help the company. Promise to advertise your benefactor and prove it. Thank you notes are essential for all considerations. Be a reunion your benefactor can be proud of. Invite them. Honor them. Lavish them with praise.
Pre- or between-reunion fundraising Consider some of these possibilities. Negotiate group ticket and food prices. Mark up the price, sell tickets and add the difference to your reunion account. theatre party; transportation (bus), meals and tickets style show; location, meal/brunch/dessert, tickets
progressive meal or party; paid for by hosts, tickets casino night; rent a hall and equipment, dealers volunteer tours; transportation (bus), meals and tickets runs, walks and rides; establish goals and guidelines, promote event, collect pledges, set route and go bake sale, plant sale, car wash. continued on page 26
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