Savoir faire — Two genealogy societies produce tasty fundraising projects

Most genealogy societies probably worry about their finances. Some societies moan about dwindling membership and increasing expenses — and blame everyone else, but themselves. Other societies look for solutions.

I like how two societies have thought outside the genealogy box by producing cookbooks to raise money. What I especially like is that projects like these can help us generate even more ideas in our own society. Until recently, I thought creating cookbooks to fundraise was just for churches and elementary schools. The Grant County Genealogical Society and the Cleveland County Genealogical Society have changed my mind.

Grant County GS in Platteville, Wisconsin created its cookbook, Through the Spokes of Time: A Collection of Recipes, to celebrate the society’s 20th anniversary this year. The book contains recipes contributed by society members and others in the community. Many of the recipes include a “memory story” by the contributor. Historical information about Grant County and photos are sprinkled throughout the book. You can buy cookbooks at the Society’s research centre or in the old parsonage building behind a church. The launch of the cookbook included an article in the local newspaper.

The Cleveland County GS in Norman, Oklahoma published their cookbook, Heritage Cookbook, a few years ago. They also sell note cards with historical photos from the area. Cris Toenjes said, “Both have been good fundraisers for the society and its library for many years now. It was so much fun putting together the cookbook, sharing stories and pictures.” The cookbook and note cards are available for sale on the society’s website.

10 lessons I learned from this initiative

1. Ask others in the community to contribute recipes. Don’t limit the recipes to those only from society members.
2. Make the cookbook unique to a genealogy society by including the bios and photos of the people who once cooked the recipes. Genealogists love to tell stories.
3. Consider partnering with another organization, such as a local historical society or church.
4. Include local historical facts and stories to make the book attractive to a wider range of people.
5. Engage members in the project who live far away. This fundraiser is a perfect opportunity to engage and include members who live outside the immediate area.
6. A cookbook can be compiled from near and far since there are many online companies that produce books. This creates a larger pool of potential volunteers and makes it easier to find volunteers willing to edit and produce the cookbook.
7. The cookbook project can be expanded to include notecards.
8. Look for locations to sell the book in addition to the society’s library.
9. Generate local media interest in the launch.
10. Think of fundraising ideas beyond the traditional genealogy projects.

These societies have the know-how.

Speaking of old recipes, a collection of old cookbooks can be found here. The earliest was published in London, England in 1776. The rest are American, mostly from the mid-19th century.