How do you raise money to volunteer abroad?

How to Raise Money for a Volunteer Trip Overseas

• Answer:

  Traveling overseas to do volunteer charitable or mission work may be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do. However, these trips require extensive planning, preparation and fund-raising in order to be successful. Whether your trip is with a religious or secular organization, you likely are personally responsible for raising a substantial portion of the trip costs. Develop a fund-raising plan six to 12 months before your trip. Ask friends and family members to help you with your fund-raising efforts. Difficulty: Moderate Instructions Develop a fund-raising plan a year prior to your planned trip. Identify potential activities or projects to raise money and schedule them. Enlist the aid of family members and close friends to help you with your fund-raising program. Make a list of friends, relatives, colleagues and church members. Prepare a concise informative letter about your plans and goals. In the letter, request the recipient's financial support. Send the letter to everyone on your contact list. Some will respond with a monetary donation; others will offer to support you in prayer or by helping with one of your fund-raising activities -- making and donating baked goods or helping run a bake sale, for example. Still others may offer craft materials, school or medical supplies or sports equipment for you to take on your trip for those you are visiting. Prepare a different version of your letter and send it to local business leaders, church and civic groups and philanthropic organizations. Explain that you would like to make a short presentation to their group about your trip and your fund-raising goals. If invited to a meeting, make a short presentation and take some information sheets to hand out. Be prepared to answer any questions. Some groups may give you a donation on the spot, while others will request time to discuss and consider your request. Plan, schedule and conduct specific fund-raising activities at your school or church or in your neighborhood. Options include bake sales, car washes, themed dinners and trivia nights with silent auctions. Obtain any necessary permission to use church or public facilities. Request donated goods for a silent auction or bake sale. Ask youth group members to help you do a car wash. Publicize your events widely. Advertise to friends, neighbors and church members that you are available to do extra jobs, babysitting or pet care to raise money for your trip. If possible, take on a part-time job. This demonstrates to others that you are not just asking them for money but also working hard yourself to raise it. If relatives typically give you gifts for your birthday or Christmas, ask them if they would consider giving you a financial donation for your trip instead. Tips & Warnings Tip: Thank everyone for their time, assistance and donations. Send written thank-you notes to your financial supporters. Tip: Do not take rejections personally. Some people may be unable to help because of financial circumstances, others may do their charitable giving in other ways. Tip: Do stay in touch with those who have helped you. After your trip, write a short note or send a postcard telling them how much you enjoyed and appreciated your overseas volunteer experience. Thank them again for helping to make it a reality.