Skip to main content
Alumni
Share Your Story

Event Planning Guide

Page Navigation

Alumni to Alumni (Strengthen Connections & Networking)

  • Cougar Business Network Nights - Host industry-specific networking events.
  • BYU Game-Watch Parties - Organize gatherings for football and basketball games.
  • Attend A BYU Event That Comes To Your Region – Check your Alumni Tools page or use the BYU-Off Campus Calendar to see events coming to your area.
  • Temple & Testimony Nights – Combine a temple session with a fireside or dinner.
  • Alumni Speaker Series – Invite successful alumni to share career and faith experiences.
  • Regional Cougar Reunions – Plan annual get-togethers for alumni in different areas.
  • Cougar Hikes & Outdoor Activities – Encourage connections through hiking, skiing, or pickleball.
  • Book Club or Fireside Chats – Discuss faith-based books, BYU devotionals, or general conference talks.
  • Alumni Reunions & Socials – Organize annual chapter gatherings, BBQs, or game-watch parties.
  • Family-Friendly Activities – Plan events like a summer picnic, Christmas party, or Cougar Day at a local park.
  • BYU Awareness Efforts – Share BYU news, achievements, and events with alumni. (via Social Media)
  • Cougar Business Spotlights – Feature alumni-owned businesses in chapter newsletters and events.
  • Speed Networking Nights – Rotate short one-on-one discussions to connect alumni in different careers.
  • Cougar Couples Night – A date night event for alumni couples with a speaker or activity.
  • BYU Game Tailgate Party – Host a tailgate for an away game and make it a chapter tradition.
  • Family Activity Days – Plan events like a Cougar Carnival, outdoor picnic, or scavenger hunt.
  • Traveling Cougar Dinner Club – Rotate dinners at alumni homes or BYU-friendly restaurants.
  • BYU Alumni Escape Room Night – Organize a fun puzzle-solving group experience.
  • Cougar Sports Challenge – Alumni compete in a basketball, pickleball, or volleyball tournament.
  • Alumni Worship Night – Host a musical devotional featuring local alumni talent.
  • Regional Alumni Adventure Trips – Plan a group trip (hiking, camping, historical tour, etc.).
  • Cougar Family Movie Night – Outdoor or indoor screening of a family-friendly movie.
  • Work With A BYU College To Plan An Event. – BYU Colleges are often willing to travel to an event you are having to help support. Click here to reach out to a college Alumni Director for assistance.
  • Plan a 5K Event. Click here for more details.
  • Plan a Golf Tournament. Click here for more details.
  • Plan a Pickleball Tournament. Click Here for more details.

Alumni to Students (Mentoring & Supporting Future Cougars)

  • Student Send-Offs – Host a farewell party for new BYU students from your area.
  • Career Panels & Job Shadows – Connect students with professionals in their fields of interest. In person or via BYU Connect.
  • Resume & Interview Workshops – Provide job prep support for BYU students and recent grads.
  • Internship & Job Referral Program – Help students find internships through alumni businesses.
  • Adopt-a-Student Mentorship – Pair local alumni with BYU students from your chapter’s area.
  • Scholarship Night – Celebrate local BYU scholarship recipients and introduce them to alumni.
  • Missionary Care Packages – Send letters and packages to students serving missions.
  • New Cougar Welcome Boxes – Send care packages to incoming BYU freshmen from your area.
  • Alumni “Job Trek” Tours – Take students to visit alumni-owned companies.
  • Cougar Mentorship Circles – Group mentorship sessions with students and professionals. Use BYU Connect.
  • First-Year Survival Guide Event – Tips from alumni on thriving at BYU.
  • Mission-to-Career Transition Workshop – Help returned missionaries translate skills to careers.
  • Alumni Internship Fair – Help connect students with internships through chapter alumni.
  • "Adopt-a-Dorm" Support – Send snacks, notes, and encouragement to dorms or apartments with local students.
  • LinkedIn Profile & Professional Headshot Night – Help students build their online presence.
  • Cougar Skills Bootcamp – Teach practical skills (budgeting, networking, leadership).
  • BYU Final Exam Care Packages – Send goodies to students before finals week.
  • Virtual Career Q&A Panels – Host Zoom sessions with professionals in various industries.
  • Cougar Letters of Encouragement – Have alumni write letters of encouragement to new BYU students.

Alumni to Community (Service & Outreach)

  • CougsCare Service Day – Plan a chapter-wide service project like food bank volunteering.
  • Invite A Friend To A BYU Event That Comes To Your Region – Check your Alumni Tools page or use the BYU-Off Campus calendar to see events coming to your area.
  • Adopt-a-School Program – Provide supplies, tutoring, or support to a local school.
  • Humanitarian Kit Assembly – Make hygiene kits, school kits, or refugee supplies.
  • Temple & Family History Indexing Night – Help members get involved in indexing efforts.
  • Local Park or Trail Cleanup – Organize a community beautification project.
  • Blood Drive or Health Fair – Partner with local organizations for a meaningful impact.
  • BYU Cougar Christmas Giving – Collect toys, clothing, or food for families in need.
  • Support Missionaries & Service Volunteers – Help alumni and students serving missions or humanitarian work.
  • Family-Friendly Activities – Plan events like a summer picnic, Christmas party, or Cougar Day at a local park.
  • BYU Day of Service – Host a coordinated day for alumni to serve in their communities.
  • "CougsCare" Multi-Chapter Service Day – Coordinate with other chapters for a large-scale day of service.
  • Career Coaching for Underprivileged Youth – Offer workshops on resumes, interviews, and professionalism.
  • BYU "Blue & White" Blood Drive Challenge – Compete with other alumni chapters to donate the most.
  • Community Garden Project – Start or maintain a local garden with fresh produce donations.
  • Disaster Relief Volunteer Team – Organize a BYU alumni response group for emergencies.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Help Night – Offer language tutoring in your area.
  • Nursing Home Visits & Service – Bring music, service, and kindness to care centers.
  • Cougars for Clean Water Initiative – Raise funds or volunteer for clean water projects.
  • BYU-Themed Storytime at Libraries – Alumni read books to children in BYU gear.
  • Cougars for a Cause: Charity Fun Run – Raise funds for a local charity while promoting BYU.
  • Special Olympics Support Crew – Volunteer at local Special Olympics events.
  • Winter Warmth Drive – Collect coats, hats, and gloves for those in need.
  • Plan a 5K Event. Click here for more details.
  • Plan a Golf Tournament. Click here for more details.
  • Plan a Pickleball Tournament. Click Here for more details.

Replenishment Grant Fundraising Ideas

  • BYU Alumni Golf Tournament – Charge entry fees and get sponsors to support scholarships.
  • Cougar 5K Fun Run – Host a community run/walk with a small entry fee.
  • BYU Merchandise Sales – Sell chapter-branded hats, shirts, or stickers.
  • Silent Auction or Raffle – Gather donations from local businesses and auction items.
  • BYU Game Watch Fundraiser – Charge a small entrance fee or sell concessions at game nights.
  • Restaurant Fundraiser Nights – Partner with a local restaurant where a portion of sales go to the grant.
  • Alumni Talent Show or Concert – Feature musical or comedy acts from BYU alumni.
  • BYU Speaker or Fireside Fundraiser – Host a special fireside and encourage donations.
  • BYU Alumni Dinner & Auction – Have a ticketed dinner with auctioned BYU memorabilia.
  • True Blue Giving Campaigns – Encourage chapter members to give back to BYU.
  • BYU Alumni Cookbook – Collect recipes from alumni and sell a cookbook.
  • Alumni Talent Show – Ticketed event showcasing alumni musical and artistic talent.
  • College Football Squares Game – Fundraiser during football season with a prize for winners.
  • BYU "Legacy Bricks" – Sell personalized engraved bricks for chapter supporters.
  • Cougar Mini Golf Tournament – Fun, family-friendly mini golf event with prizes.
  • BYU-Themed Cornhole Tournament – Alumni pay entry fees to compete in a friendly tournament.
  • Local BYU Alumni Marketplace – Alumni donate homemade goods or services for an online auction.
  • "Dinner with a Cougar" Auction – Alumni bid to have dinner with a notable BYU alum.
  • Birthday Fundraisers – Encourage alumni to use birthdays to raise funds for replenishment grants.
  • BYU-Themed Trivia Night – Charge entry for a game night with BYU trivia and prizes.
  • Christmas Wreath or Holiday Bake Sale – Seasonal fundraiser for alumni and the community.
  • BYU Dance-a-Thon – Fundraiser dance party where donations increase the longer participants dance.
  • Cougar Gala & Silent Auction – Fancy dinner event with BYU memorabilia and gift baskets up for bid.
  • Plan a 5K Event. Click here for more details.
  • Plan a Golf Tournament. Click here for more details.
  • Plan a Pickleball Tournament. Click Here for more details.