Reunion Fundraising Ideas

Whether you’re planning a big family reunion, or you’re on the reunion committee for your school’s alumni, chances are you’re going to want to think about holding a fundraising event to offset some of the expenses. Or maybe you’d like your reunion to BE a fundraising event. Fundraising can be challenging, but it can also be fun.

One of the biggest decisions is often deciding what type of fundraiser to do. In Detroit, organizers for “The Reunion Project” for Princess Ann High School, held car washes, dinner raffles, fun runs and cycling events. The Long River Reunion Committee, Middletown, CT, which was set up to bring families who once lived in the public housing complex from 1942 to 1999 back together, held a Valentine’s Day dance fundraiser.  Fundraisers by other Reunion groups include dinners, plate sales, raffles, yard sales, product sales, and galas.

Check out our complete list of fundraising products and do-it-yourself fundraising ideas for your next reunion committee fundraiser.

You can also choose from a wide variety of reunion DIY fundraising ideas to supplement your program. How about a Nude Calendar, Cake Walk, Children’s Cookbook, Money Tree, or thons of every type? Perhaps one of these successful and creative ideas can be adapted for your reunion fundraiser.

No Talent Contest – Organize a fundraising talent contest where the contestants purposefully perform badly. Suggestions: singing out of tune for an entire song, silly and failing magic tricks, dance routine out of sync, etc. Place signs at the entry point that state the entry fee is $1, exit fee is $5. Read more…

Favorite Photos Contest – For this fundraiser, use photos of babies, dogs, etc. — anything that relates to your organization. Entrants submit a photo (specify maximum size accepted), and may also submit a 3×5 card with a few sentences as a description to create more interest. Photos are mounted on a display board or inside a sponsoring merchant’s window at a sidewalk fundraising festival. Each photo is numbered and a jar is numbered for each photo for votes. Read more…

Raffle Table – Our variation on a fundraising raffle is to have a table of donated items. Our members donate new items they have received as gifts but don’t want, things they have made with their special talents (i.e.- hand-made jewelry, baked goods, clothing, etc.), items donated from local businesses, and certificates for free admission to future lodge events or services (such as baby sitting or house-cleaning). Read more…