For me, before I answered your question I would ask "what other way"? Also, I would really creatively consider what "fundraising" means. Freelancing is not that different from "hawking wares," in my experience as a freelancer. You're selling a service to make money for your family.

My point is that I would think there is something on the spectrum of money making that would qualify as a fundraising effort but also seem self-sufficient enough to satisfy your sense of propriety/independence. What it is, I don't know, but if you try to look around at what others have done maybe you'll get some ideas.

Would you feel comfortable asking family for a loan? I can't remember what you've said in the past about family relationships -- in same cases that would be fine, in others a disaster. Do you have an inheritance you're expecting that you would feel comfortable asking for a "withdrawl" from? Normally I think that's a bit tacky but in this case I don't think so -- and many people say they'd rather see kids or grandkids get money when they can actually really use it.

Finally, with regard to your analogy about banks, it is also true that people help each other. That's what people do!

Shaun
"Home is not the one tame place in a world of adventure; it is the one wild place in a world of rules and set tasks."
   -- G. K. Chesterton