Class Reunion Planning Tips: How to Raise Money

A class reunion is really just a big party, and as you know, parties and party planning cost money. If you've estimated your total class reunion expenses, you know that you'll need quite a bit of money---probably several thousand dollars---for a fairly casual event with about 100 attendees. Securing that cash is where class reunion fund-raisers come in.

Probably the most popular class reunion fund-raiser is the sale of admission tickets, but it's not the only way to raise money for your event. In fact, if you want to keep ticket prices low to encourage participation, you might have to conduct additional fund-raisers.

Startup Funds

But first things first: Before the first ticket is ever sold, you're going to need money to pay for early expenses such as a reunion-planning reference book or paper and stamps to create the first promotional mailing. So where do you get that money?

You can either use your own money and get reimbursed later, ask all the class reunion planning committee members to pay for their tickets in advance, hold a bake sale or other fund-raiser, or you can seek donations.

Donations in Exchange for Advertising

If your class includes a Bill Gates or an Oprah Winfrey, hit them up for money. Remind them they wouldn't be where they are today if it wasn't for good, ol' Wherever High School. You can always promise free advertising in the class reunion promotional materials, program or memory book in exchange for their donations.

The same goes for businesses in the town where your high school is located. Stop by the Peach Pit and see if you can secure donations, no matter how small, in exchange for a little free advertising. It doesn't have to be print advertising. You can offer to thank businesses for their donations and otherwise sing their praises during the class reunion awards ceremony. Or, you can name the reunion dance or an award after them. Get creative, but get that cash.