Kids Play Int’l encourages volunteers to begin their volunteering abroad experience with fundraising. Fundraising for your trip not only helps you fulfill your dream of volunteering abroad, it also helps promote awareness of international issues. Every conversation, letter, and event that explains where and why you plan to volunteer shows people your commitment to serving local communities abroad, and broadens communications about international service.

Fundraising can be a fun and creative part of the volunteer abroad experience, and many volunteers who fundraise feel an added sense of fulfillment and dedication to volunteering abroad.

ON-LINE FUNDRAISING, EASY AND MOST EFFECTIVE!

Get Started Now with Volunteer Forever, an easy-to-use and free fundraising site.  Click Here to start fundraising!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO INCLUDE

•  General information about the nonprofit organization you will be traveling with.
•  Donations are 100% Tax Deductible!
•  Where you are going, for how long and what you will be doing.
•  Let people know how much money you need to raise and that their donations are tax deductible.
•  How you will share your experience during your trip or upon your return.

Hand-written or Formal Emails or letters

Hand-written letters or personalized emails to potential sponsors can also be effective, because it provides a personal touch especially when reaching out to friends and family, employers and work colleagues, or clubs.    A formal letter or email may be best when soliciting clubs, churches or temples, local banks, foundations and charitable organizations in your area, or larger organizations like The Rotary, Lions and Elks Clubs, Junior League, Junior Chamber, and The United Way.   OTHER IDEAS:  Bake sale, Car wash, etc.

FUNDRAISING  101

CHECK OUT OUR: SAMPLE Fundraising Letter.pdf

HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE FUNDRAISER! 

We recommend that you personalize every email/letter that you write with the recipient’s name.

1. Make a list of everyone you know and all the local organizations and companies who might be able to donate. This list can include your family, friends, neighbors, contacts, etc., but can also inc  lude people from other aspects of your life, such as your place of employment, worship, school, doctors, teachers, neighborhood groups—anyone you think may be able to help sponsor your trip. Many local organizations or companies are eager to donate to causes like yours, so think outside the box! See if the company you are currently working with is willing to “match” what you are able to raise.

2. Write out your goals and reasons for volunteering. This will be useful when you are talking to potential sponsors or writing fundraising letters, to explain how a contribution to your volunteer trip will make a positive impact. Learn all you can about issues facing the country and program site you will be visiting, so you can explain why you chose to volunteer there. Stress that this is not a vacation.

3. Start early and create benchmarks. As soon as you make your deposit to participate on a volunteer trip, develop a fundraising plan and get started. Look at the total amount of money you need to raise, and set periodic goals that serve as benchmarks to keep you on target, for example, “$1,000 by February, $2,200 by June.”

4. Ask for a specific amount of money. When you say “contribution”, some people are thinking $5, while others are thinking $500. Tell people how much you need, and let them know the total amount that you are hoping to fundraise. You may even want to outline the cost per day of your program (divide your total program fee by the number of days you will be gone.) and ask to be sponsored for at least one day.

5. Convey a sense of urgency to potential sponsors. This limits their time to forget about giving you a contribution. Give your sponsors a specific date by which to get back to you, preferably at least four weeks before your final trip payment deadline. Put this date in your sponsor request and send them friendly reminders, with a note of how much closer you are to getting toward your goal.

6.  Recognize your sponsors. Always thank your sponsors; they will appreciate the recognition and praise. Write a personalized thank you note to everyone who contributes. You can also post your sponsors on any of your social media outlets.

7.  Online BLOG Sites to Get Started: Internet is typically available at most hotels, blogging is a great way to keep people informed about what you are doing during the trip! Here are some suggestions: www.travbuddy.com, www.blogger.com, www.wordpress.com, www.livejournal.com

8. Host a get-together when you return and invite all your sponsors. A great way to secure funding from religious organizations, civic groups, alumni associations, and educational institutions is to offer to give a presentation when you return. Highlighting your service abroad and what you learned helps people understand how their contributions made a difference. Photos of you working overseas can speak volumes.