Fundraising Ideas for House Improvement

beebadger · #1 11-11-2007, 09:46 PM

Our house (Gamma Chapter at UW-Madison) was built around 1920 and never had a sprinkler system installed. We need to add them for the safety of the girls -- and to meet code -- within a couple years. The cost, however, is around $130,000. It's not really fair to charge collegiate member more, so we need to come up with a few fundraising ideas. One thought was to have a reunion weekend where alums could stay in house maybe elsewhere. (We aren't sure about the rules for alcohol if it's JUST alums and no students). Has anyone done anything like this? Any other ideas for fundraising some major expenses? NO car washes!!
Thanks.

SmartBlondeGPhB · #2 11-12-2007, 12:25 PM

You might start with IH and see what they recommend. It would be money for your House Corporation and they should be in the lead on the fundraising.

bejazd · #3 11-12-2007, 01:24 PM

My chapter has never asked me for a donation for a specific purpose (i.e. a sprinkler system.) But if I got a nice letter stating clearly what they needed, and how much they needed to raise...with with a return envelope, I'd drop a check without a second thought. a very simple direct mail appeal would probably be well worth the cost of postage.

beebadger · #4 11-12-2007, 03:31 PM

Thanks guys. I had a Panhel House Corp. meeting this morning and the Pi Phis added a sprinkler a couple years ago and they got a loan from IH for something like 5% interest. Does Gamma Phi have anything like that? I haven't called them yet, but I seriously doubt it. Too good to be true!!

bejazd · #5 11-12-2007, 06:24 PM

I think they do have loans available to HCs thru the Foundation...check into it!

SmartBlondeGPhB · #6 11-13-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejazd

I think they do have loans available to HCs thru the Foundation...check into it!

I think they do too but I am not involved enough with HCB's to know for sure.