By Teresa Rischl
As you may know, about 120 participants are preparing for CARP’s Intercultural Exchange Trip to Japan and Korea from June 19 to July 4 (coming up soon!). These students are preparing for an incredible, global experience and one of the ways they are preparing is through fundraising.
Fundraising is a great opportunity to work towards your goal and feel ownership over your trip. We offer 10 creative ways to raise funds and support this trip, whether you are a student, parent, or working professional. Join us!
1. Start a Crowdfunding Campaign
You may have seen some of your friends who started campaigns on GoFundMe or YouCaring or a similar site. Crowdfunding focuses on helping you reach out on your social media platforms and share with your connections and networks. When many people give a little, it makes it a lot easier to reach your goal. Some campaigns focus on supporting the overall trip for all participants (see Takayo’s GoFundMe) while others focus on supporting one participant’s personal expenses (see Gareth’s GoFundMe).
2. Host an online peer-to-peer page with CARP HQ
If you are a bit intimidated about starting a crowdfunding campaign and don’t know how to start, work with us at CARP Headquarters! Our Network For Good software allows us to create multiple campaigns that are easy to use and helps you track your progress. You don’t have to worry about the details – just make a goal and share with friends! If interested, contact Teresa Rischl at teresa@carplife.org
3. Host a Bake Sale
Everyone loves sweet snacks (even if we resist them for the sake of dieting). Here’s a great way to meet people, share about your cause, and taste some yummy treats! It’s even better when you can work with some friends or a team to bake cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc. and ask for permission to set up a table at your local church, school, or work. This is an easy way to get started.
4. Ask friends and family to support YOUR experience
Here’s the secret to fundraising: People give to people. While we all want to support different causes, we all want to feel connected to something, too. Keep it simple and talk to those closest to you – share with them what you’re doing, why it matters to you, what difference it will make (keep it personal), and voila! When loved ones see the passion and enthusiasm you have for this trip, they will trust and support you. Now get out there, share, and ask! Most people will give just because you asked!
5. Sell stuff
You know all those clothes, games, and things just collecting dust in your home? As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Host a yard sale to raise some funds and even let people know that the proceeds will go towards your intercultural trip (you may get a few extra donations!). You can even pool together with other friends or neighbors and ask if they have something they could contribute. Selling things online also works.
6. Host a dinner party
Have you ever noticed how people are much happier after eating a delicious, home-cooked meal? Let people know you’d like to host a dinner party to support your trip and use it as a chance to share why it’s important to you. A special bonus tip is to schedule another dinner party after you return from your trip to share with them your experience and show pictures.
7. Pick up an odd job
Summer break is a great time to pick up odd jobs like babysitting, mowing lawns, cleaning homes, and more. Ask around to see how you can help others in support of your fundraiser.
8. Commission your art
Are you creative? Put it to good use by asking people to buy your artwork – it can be drawings, paintings, woodwork, jewelry, etc. Get creative and remember to share with people why you raising funds (it gives them incentive to spend just a little bit more on something, knowing it’s going to a good cause).
9. Host a car wash
Gather some friends and partner with a local gas station. This is a great opportunity to get some sun, share with people in the community, and have some soapy fun!
10. Make it themed
So you are going on an Intercultural Exchange Trip this summer – awesome! Share the culture with others so they can appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of other cultures, too. Sell Japanese or Korean-related items like origami, calligraphy, etc. This can be a great way to engage Japanese and Korean members of your community and share the best of their culture.
The bottom line – fundraising can be really FUN (it’s even in the name FUNdraising). It’s a great way to prepare for your trip and really invest into the experience. Remember, the most important thing in fundraising is to make the ask. Invite people to be part of the experience and even better, follow-up with them afterwards so they know how their donations impacted you.
Good luck!