Fundraising
Because of the work you have chosen to take part in on your volunteering project, you may find that others are willing to help you raise money to help get you on your way. To help you pay for your trip, we have compiled some fundraising ideas you might want to use to cover your project fees and airfare.
Scholarships and Grants – some universities, community groups and churches offer support to those who volunteer in community projects. Check out your local organisations. For UK citizens, check out the 'Directory of Grant Making Trusts'.
We are supported by the LIVFund, who offers $500 scholarships to any volunteers who chose any placement in Latin America. Read more
Sponsored activities – there are often charity runs, cycles, absails and other events in most parts of the country. The entrance money goes to the charity, but in most cases you can choose who your sponsorship money goes to. Sign up and get sponsorship from your friends, family, work and school colleagues. Alternatively, plan your own sponsored event. If you make it relevant to you or fun enough, people will sponsor you just to see it happen. Chatterbox? – then do a sponsored silence. Everyone knows you hate beans?– plan a sponsored bean-eat. A devoted follower of fashion? - get sponsorship to go to work in a shell-suit. Go extreme, get sponsored to shave your hair off! Get your friends to join you in raising money and getting sponsorship too.
Car boot sales and ebay – don’t just clear out your house of all that unwanted junk –offer to offload unwanted items from your friends and family. If you get enough items, it justifies paying £5-£10 for a stall at a car boot sale. Make a sign explaining that you are raising money for your chosen project – people feel happier paying more for items if it's for a good cause. But make sure you get there early. Car boot enthusiasts are early risers! Make some cakes, biscuits, jams or chutneys to sell on your stall too – people love home-made food! Only have a few items? You’ll be surprised by how much people are prepared to pay on ebay if you provide a good photograph and description of the item.
Odd jobs – Make a sign telling passers-by that you are raising money and offer your services: car washing, ironing, weeding and mowing lawns, painting fences or dog-walking. Be creative. Look around your area and identify what people most need.
Use your social media – FaceBook, YouTube, Linked In and Twitter are great ways of spreading the word about your project and your fundraising activities. People like to be seen to be giving and these are very public forums. Follow up the offers of support with a call or a private message, then thank them publicly when they donate.
