MTFCA Forum

For the past 60 years, six antique car clubs in Portland, Oregon have held the "Always in April" Portland Swap Meet. I am pleased to announce that we will have it again April 10, 11 & 12, 2026!

However, with online classifieds, T-bay, and various internet sales, our proceeds are currently only about 20% of what they were ten years ago. The swap meet almost did not survive Covid. Looking down the road, I wonder how many more years we have until it is no longer a viable business model?

That being said, what does your club do for fundraisers?
How much are your local dues?
Do your dues cover operating costs?
Do members pay for everything out of pocket?

I'm not being an alarmist, but want to look forward for future options...

: ^ )

Keith

If your club is organized as a Social & Recreational Club under IRS and your states non-profit tax rules, your club members can not profit from the public money from car shows and swap meets, etc. Similar to a IRS 501 (c7). All profits after expenses have to be donated to charity. Your club should be supported entirely from dues and fees paid by the members. We at the Mother Lode Club have struggled with this for years. We are proud that we make a nice profit from our annual swap meet and are able to make sizable donations to museums and local non-profits.
So all you can do to increase funds for club activities is to raise dues, have 50-50 raffles (in House, no public) bake sales etc.

In Milwaukee :

Participate in Memorial Day Parade, 4th of July Parade, Germanfest Parade and sometimes others to raise funds.
Annual dues are $50
- $25 for costs and $25 for newsletter
Gas, lunches, parts - comes out of your pocket.

We also have 'Coach Houses'. Something is wrong with your car. We will set up a date and 4-10 guys will
come to your house and get your car running. You just have to provide food and refreshments.

We have done auctions of items donated by members annually. T related. Extra parts, literature, antiques, etc.
Executed on a Saturday. The club provides lunch.(catered BBQ usually) Lots of fun, Lots of bargains & enough money raised to operate the club for the year +.