Fundraising

Do you really want to travel with purpose and go on one of our trips?
Don’t let cost stop you!

You will gain so much more than a trip will ever cost, and the benefits stay with you for a lifetime. Instead of saying “I don’t have the money”… get it! We encourage you to share your dream and adventure with others – it is a part of creating a network of interested, caring people. Other people are usually very interested in supporting someone else embark on a learning opportunity – they like helping someone else do something they might never do themselves, or they know the benefits themselves firsthand of this type of experience.

Below are some tried and true ways that other volunteers have raised the funds to travel with Global Citizens Network:

“30 from 100”
Compose a letter, asking for $30 from 100 people, to support your cross cultural learning experience. Remember: Contributions made to Global Citizens Network are tax-deductible.
Fundraising parties/dinners
Host a concert or dinner, and pass the hat to support your trip
Bake sale
We all love to eat – just find a place to share the goods!
Car wash
Gather family or a group of friends, secure a good location, and get wet and dirty!
“$1 a day”
Set aside one dollar each day (a dollar you might normally use to buy a cup of coffee or a donut); ask friends to help you out with this as well in a similar fashion

Remember Think ahead on how you will give back to those who contribute. Showing thanks is an important part of fundraising. It demonstrates to supporters that you truly appreciate their contributions and connects them with the community you worked alongside. You may consider mailing pictures or postcards during your trip, putting together a web site or online presentation about your experience, or giving a slide show or talk after you return.

Fundraising can make your GCN experience more rewarding and allow you to share your experience with others. A little hard work and creativity can help you take advantage of a wide range of funding opportunities available. The key to the success of your endeavor is timing. Give yourself time; explore your options and be aware of any deadlines you may have. Most importantly, give yourself permission to fundraise: it is another way to make connections between people around the world.

Getting Started Beginning a fundraising project early is the key to the overall success of the program. Thinking ahead about what you need and why this is important will provide you with a solid base to seek out assistance from friends, family, and other individuals. Here are some things to consider:

Decide early on how much money you need to raise in order to cover the cost of
the trip and other expenses.

Verbalize why you want to be a volunteer. Understanding your own motivations
will help you express them to others.

Make a list of everyone you know, especially those you think would support you to raise
funds for the trip. The wider you make your base of support, the better.

Fundraising does not have to be a drag. Creativity yields results and draws attention to your efforts. Keeping that in mind, choose a fundraiser that you will be able to complete in a timely fashion, and that you can do with positive energy and enthusiasm. Some of the most popular and effective fundraisers can be completed within a month or less. A letter writing or email campaign can reach a wide audience in a short amount of time. Meeting with local businesses and organizations will only take a few hours out of your day but allows you to gain a wider base of support.

If you decide you would rather provide a product or make a game out of the fundraiser, several web sites (listed below) offer attractive suggestions. You may want to sell candy, t-shirts, or cards. Whatever you do, be sure to understand the commitment and costs associated with each before you start. Enlisting friends and family is a wonderful way to increase your coverage and earning potential. It is also a great way to get people involved even if they are unable to provide financial assistance.

The more publicity you can generate the better. Writing letters to the local paper, neighborhood papers, and association bulletins grants you exposure and draws in individuals that you may not have thought to contact.

Giving something back to those that have contributed money or support is an important part of fundraising. It demonstrates to supporters that you truly appreciate their contributions and draws a connection between them and the community you will be visiting. It is also a means to draw in additional support. You may consider mailing pictures or post cards during your trip or provide an online diary of your experience (if possible). Another option is to offer to put on a slide show or host a chat over coffee to share your experience. Potential donors will be more encouraged to contribute if they will be able to see how their support contributed to the overall success of a project.

The best part about fundraising is that funds raised to support a GCN adventure are tax deductible. As long as the checks are written out to GCN, donors will be able to report these as charitable donations. You can facilitate this by giving them a receipt for their donation. Speak to a GCN staff member to set this up.

Grants and Other Assistance Grants and scholarships provide another means for you to raise funds for your trip. The following example web sites provide information about organizations dedicated to community service and international travel. For grant seekers, timing can be everything. Start early and make sure you are aware of any upcoming deadlines. Additionally, with a wide range of funding sources, applying to several different sources can really pay off.

Grants for International Travel and Study Abroad

Michigan State University
http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3inttrav.htm
Managed by Michigan State University, this site provides a wide range of funding sources for students, non-students, and non-US nationals.

Rotary International
http://www.rotary.org
A community-focused organization that has long been a resource for individuals seeking assistance for volunteer travel. A wide variety of scholarships and donations are available. Contact local chapters for specific details and other possibilities.

Council Bowman Scholarship
http://www.ciee.org
Scholarship for studying, working, or volunteering in developing countries.

University of Minnesota
http://www.istc.umn.edu
Recognized as one of the most comprehensive information databases on fundraising and scholarship resources. Includes links to other useful schools and private organizations.

Sources and Tips for Obtaining Financial Aid

StudyAbroad.com
http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html
An extensive list of scholarships and grants available to students. Most are educational in orientation, yet generalized sources are also available.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Grant Information Collection
http://grants.library.wisc.edu/indidivuals/abroad.html
Information on how to contact grant-making organizations.

Fund-Raising

FundRaising.com
http://www.fund-raising.com
General resource for individuals seeking ideas or products for use in fundraising campaigns.