The best ways to raise money for a reunion are selling reunion items like T-shirts and family history booklets, hosting a dinner or cookout, running a raffle or auction, and asking for small donations or sponsors. Start early, because you will usually need money for deposits before registration fees come in.
When I helped plan my own family’s reunion, raising money early was one of our biggest needs. We wanted to sell a family history booklet to cover deposits before registration even opened. Here are ideas that work for both family and class reunions.
Why raise money early?
Venues, caterers, and hotels often want deposits months ahead. If you wait for registration money, someone ends up paying out of pocket. A fundraiser gives you a starting fund and can also lower the registration price for everyone.
Things to sell
- Reunion T-shirts. Sell them early, before the event, and include the price in a bundle with registration.
- Family history booklets. A collection of family stories, photos, and a family tree. These become keepsakes.
- Family cookbooks. Collect recipes from every branch. People love these.
- Hats, mugs, and tote bags with your family name or class year.
- Photo calendars with old family or school photos.
- Homemade goods, like baked goods or crafts made by talented relatives.
For a step-by-step guide, read Sell Products to Raise Money for Your Reunion.
Events that raise money
- Fish fry, cookout, or dinner sale. Sell plates to family, church members, and neighbors.
- Game night or trivia night with an entry fee.
- Online or in-person auction of donated items and services.
- Raffle for a gift basket or a free registration. Check your state’s rules first, because raffles are regulated in many places.
- Car wash or yard sale run by the younger generation.
Donations and sponsors
- Ask for small donations. Some relatives cannot attend but would love to help. Make it easy to give any amount.
- Sponsor a family member. Invite relatives to cover a registration for someone who could not afford it otherwise.
- Business sponsors work well for class reunions. A classmate’s business can sponsor the photo booth or DJ in exchange for a shout-out.
Tips for handling reunion money
- Open a separate bank account. Do not mix reunion money with personal money.
- Have two people review the money. It protects the money and the people handling it.
- Share updates. A simple report of what came in and what went out builds trust.
- Set a goal. “We need $1,500 for the venue deposit by March” motivates people more than “please give.”
- Thank everyone. Shout out donors and buyers in your announcements.
Sell reunion items with Gettagether
Gettagether has a built-in shop for your reunion community. You can add products like T-shirts and booklets with photos and prices. Relatives shop and pay by card, and the money goes straight to your reunion’s Stripe account. You can track orders and mark them shipped. See how to set up and sell in the shop.
Shop payments include Stripe’s standard processing fee plus a Gettagether platform fee of 1% plus $0.25 per transaction.
Frequently asked questions
When should we start fundraising for a reunion?
As early as possible, ideally 9 to 12 months before the reunion, so you have money for deposits.
What sells best for a family reunion fundraiser?
T-shirts, family history booklets, and cookbooks are popular because people want keepsakes anyway.
Is a raffle a good reunion fundraiser?
It can be, but raffles are regulated in many states. Check your local rules before you sell tickets.
Can people who are not attending still contribute?
Yes. Many relatives who cannot travel are happy to buy a shirt, a booklet, or donate toward the reunion.
Start raising money
Start your 7-day free trial of Gettagether and open your reunion shop this week.