Part One of a two-part series
With family reunion season just around the corner, it’s not too late to build a fundraising program into your reunion activities. Take time to build a family safety net, generational wealth, and a culture of philanthropy.
As you create plans for your family reunion, we encourage you to include time to talk about the power of money. While some feel uncomfortable talking about money, we encourage you to talk about money proactively – for the good of individual families and the family as a whole. Consider inviting a financial counselor, an attorney, or a fundraising consultant to join you in a conversation that is designed for your family. There’s so much that a family-centered consciousness of money and its power can bring to life.
In the past many of us had a culture of fundraising within our families. We didn’t call it that, but it sure was evident. We helped siblings or nieces with their education; we made sure we had groceries, and that our neighbors did too. We pooled our resources to ensure that those under our roof were cared for and that our extended family and neighbors were as well. We did it before and we can do it again. Yes, even though times may be “uncertain” or “tight.” It starts with awareness and manifests with actions and behaviors. To help the younger family members, those of us who are older can share our experiences, and speak openly of how we have managed, and not managed our money. We can talk about saving, building that “six months of savings” promoted by financial advisors. We can ask – politely – how much younger folk spend on sneakers and eating out and suggest there might be another way. We can talk about supporting each other – and paying each other back – building trust and reciprocity in the process.
Older folks can also do more than talk. They can learn about preparing for the costs of health care as they age, funerals, and burials. Are you going to let “other people” deal with these important issues? Can your daughter reduce her hours at work to care for you? Is that fair to her future financial health? Can family members ease the burden? And what do we know about what happens to our resources when we pass? Every state has a plan for you – but do you have a plan for what you want to happen? Who will get the money in your bank account, your retirement savings? How long will it take for them to access it? Who will get your house if you own one? While it can be uncomfortable to consider, and harder to act, it’s worth it! You can leave a legacy that can change the lives of the next generation.
We first have to learn to take care of ourselves, then our family and extended family. As we practice wise use of our resources, we can look at how we care for our community. And how we do so as a family. God protect America.
© 2025 Mel and Pearl Shaw, authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” We provide fundraising counsel to higher education, nonprofits, and philanthropy. Video conferencing always available. Visit www.saadandshaw.com.
