See the GAA Support section for a complete list of ways clubs are supported by the General Alumni Association.

The General Alumni Association strongly discourages clubs from soliciting general financial contributions from alumni for anything other than a local scholarship fund.  If you believe your club is in need of additional operating funds, please talk with the GAA first to determine the best approach to meet your needs.  The GAA may be able to cover upfront costs to be reimbursed by attendance fees.

For the GAA to include a general contribution appeal on any promotional materials the club will need to provide a written plan on how the club will use general contributions including the following:

a) Approximate amount the club expects to collect.
b) Plan of how funds will be spent to give value to donors.
c) What will happen with excess revenues.
d) How you will inform donors of benefits.

If it is determined that a general contribution appeal will be sent, the GAA reserves the right to edit and delete any references to local dues or local membership so as not to confuse local club efforts with GAA member dues. 

Each club should operate on a break even basis.  Clubs are expected to notify the GAA as soon as possible if a situation occurs which might put a club into debt. 

Clubs will need to charge appropriate attendance fees to cover all event-related expenses.  All club events should operate as close to a break-even basis as possible, unless the event is intended to raise funds for the club scholarship fund.  Event costs should be estimated as accurately as possible taking into consideration:  If you need help estimating the cost of an event, please contact the Coordinator of Clubs for help. 

• Cost of reserving the facility
• Food and beverage costs
• Bar charges (cash bar or bar service is required-see Alcohol Policy in the Event Hosts and Liabilities section)
• Taxes/gratuity
• Costs associated with a guest speaker including travel, lodging, event admissions, etc.
• Any additional margin you wish to build in to cover other future expenses or to help fund a local scholarship account.

Mature clubs are expected to also cover all postage costs for printed event notices or newsletters. 

Electronic communications have become the primary method of informing alumni of upcoming club events, (see the GAA Support section for complete guidelines of e-mail and web services available at no cost).  However, if possible, printed communications in additional to electronic communications are ideal.  In the event that your club wishes to send a printed mailing, the GAA will provide at no cost to your club all design and production costs associated with the mailing.  However, your club will receive an invoice from the General Alumni Association for the amount of the postage for any mailings.  (See Producing Club Notices and Newsletters section for further information about club mailings and promoting club events.)  Special circumstances apply if a club is new or newly reorganized.

If your club will be sponsoring events that require attendees to pay attendance fees, finding a volunteer to serve as treasurer will be essential. The responsibilities of the treasurer are listed in the Leadership Structure section. An annual summary of each club's financial status is required by the General Alumni Association as part of the Annual Report.  Club funds should not be kept in anyone's personal account.  (See below for more information about setting up a club checking account.)

Business Underwriters or Contributors

There are alumni whose businesses are willing to provide food and/or beverages, help defray the costs of an event, totally underwrite the costs, or provide a meeting facility at no cost.  Clubs can also have businesses advertise in or become a sponsor of a notice or newsletter to help cover postage costs.  Please consult with the General Alumni Association if you wish to proceed with this option.