How do we keep raising money when our membership is aging and shrinking?

When a post’s membership shrinks, the same fundraising formulas leave less on the table. Fewer guests mean fewer bidders in the banquet auction. For Veterans & Military Family Organizations, community respect for the mission stays strong. Local businesses still back the cause. The room bids to honor, not just win. But the old catalog cannot stretch per-person giving far enough. Adding a few travel experiences fills that gap without extra volunteer work.

Adding travel experiences to your banquet takes no upfront money. Browse over 140 adventure trips, golf getaways, and budget-friendly international excursions. Pick a few that fit your crowd. Print the free one-page display PDFs. You only pay for an experience if it sells, keep 100% over the cost, and can sell the same package multiple times if bidding gets hot. A starting bid 15-20% above cost puts profit in the first bid. If an item does not sell, you owe nothing.

This week, reach out to Giveback XP and reserve two or three experiences for your next banquet or award dinner. No deposit is required. You are not too late: items can be added the same day as your event. Do not wait for a perfect lineup. Start with a golf trip or an international excursion that matches what your crowd enjoys. Each reserve comes with free display materials and a marketing email.

Your banquet raises more per person, even with fewer seats filled. Volunteers handle no extra logistics. The winners get trips they look forward to, and your post owes nothing for unsold packages. One event each year can carry the mission forward.