thailand fundraising kit

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Welcome to Global Leadership Adventures! To help make the dream of adventuring abroad a reality for you, weve compiled this handy fundraising guide. What is fundraising, youd like to know? Well, hundreds of Global Leader-ship Adventures participants have succeeded in funding their adventures using easy fundraising methods, and you can, too. Were about to tell you how. Not only will we tell you how; were also here to help throughout the process. If you are not yet enrolled in a Global Leadership Adven-tures program, someone in the Admissions Department can assist you. If youve already enrolled feel free to contact one of our representatives at +1 (858) 358-4321.

Fundraising is an increasingly common way for folks to gain financial backing for their uniquely worthwhile projects and causes. Because you believe in what you are doing, asking others to help you is not a form of begging. Through your desire and determination, your message can even resonate with individuals and businesses youve never contacted until now. You are proactively taking the initiative to travel overseas, touch the lives of others, and have the experience of a lifetime dont hesitate to ask for help to make this a reality. Just remember: persistence is half the battle. You may get a lot of initial rejections and become discouraged at times, but know that many people will see the value of your endeavor and will support you.

And now the how. (Psst! This is going to be fun...)

A Quick Intro to Fundraising

3+1 858 771 0645experienceGLA.com

Hi my name is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . I am raising money so I can participate in a _ _ day community service program in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ this summer. While I am in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I will be volunteering in a small village school [cater this to your program] with an organization called Global Leadership Adventures. This program will give me the opportunity to experience another culture firsthand, to learn about important issues in other parts of the world, and to become a more globally-aware person. Due to the high cost of international travel, I am reaching out to the community to help sponsor me on this life-changing journey. Would you be interested in making a donation?

Youre on a mission now, and everyone knows that preparing for success can make or break you. We have prepared this short and sweet summary of the who, what, where, when and why of your fundraising campaign. This is the response you will give to the question What are you fundraising for?

before you get started

The Ten Second Elevator Pitch

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Hey, ScAvenger. We hear youre on the hunt for some bucks. Allow us to set you on the right path. (And by the by: you look really intimidating in that outfit. This wont be a problem for you at all.) You dont have to come back with everything on this list checked off, but the more you do, the fatter your purse is bound to get. On your mark get set GO!

ScAvenger

TOPfundraising IDEAS

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1. How many people do you know? List them ALL. Hint: use our worksheet Donor Checklist to help stay organized. Gather the mailing addresses of each person.

2. Grab a sample letter Writing Campaign below, customize & print. You can use a website like gofundme.com to add edge to your campaign. They will take a small percentage out of each donation you receive for their services, but they will never charge any fees.

3. Buy enough envelopes and stamps to mail each letter. In-clude a self-addressed envelope so friends, family & others have no excuse not to donate.

4. Mail the letters and... wait!

1. Prepare a simple resume. Hint: use our Sample Resume below as a template.

2. Create a list of potential workplaces. Think of restaurants, grocery stores, etc. You can search online, look in the local newspaper, or check out the library for help wanted listings.

3. With resume in hand, go to each business on your list and ask to speak with the manager. Explain that youre inter-ested in part-time work and would like to give him/her your resume. Be prepared to answer questions about availability and skill set.

4. Follow up. A week after you apply call the businesses you visited. Again, ask to speak to the manager. A sample of what you might say: Hi. This is ________. I dropped off my resume about a week ago. I just wondered if youve had a chance to look it over and if you had any additional questions concerning my qualifications.

FINDA JOB

WRITEA LETTER

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1. Research Grants Online. Organizations want to give their money to a good cause. All you have to do is find a group that is looking for a worthy ScAvenger to turn their big bucks into good deeds. Some websites to start at include:

dosomething.org fastweb.com findaid.org nelnet.com wiredscholar.com broweryouthawards.org starbucksfoundation.com

2. Talk with your school administrator about opportunities for scholarships. Theyll love to hear all about your mission and give you a hand.

COLLECTTRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPS

AND GRANTS

GETLOCAL BUSINESS

DONATIONS

1. Make a list of local businesses.

2. Customize and print out sample letter Local Business Dona-tion below.

3. Deliver letters to local businesses. When you arrive ask to speak with the manager/owner/person in charge. Tell them who you are and what you are raising money for. Give them your letter and tell them you will be in touch with them in a week.

4. Make follow up calls to all businesses. Use script Local Business Donation below as a basis for your conversation.

5. Customize sample Thank You Letter below and send to all businesses that donated to you.

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1. Find a local restaurant that would be willing to give you 10%-15% of their overall proceeds for the night. Contact the manager and if they agree to the event, ask them what date and time works best for them.

2. Invite all your friends and family to dine at that restaurant on that particular night. The restaurant will receive more busi-ness, and you will raise money for your program!

3. Send a thank you letter to the business for their support. See sample below.

THROWEVENT AT

RESTAURANT OR CAFE (% of sales fundraiser)

1. Talk with your family about hosting a house party. Decide on a basic, low investment menu that your guests will enjoy. Pick a date and time.

2. Make a list (we do this a lot!) of people you want to invite. Who would be a good potential donor? For example, invite your parents co-workers, your extended family, your friends and their parents, adults who are involved in community organizations with you, etc.

3. Customize our sample House Party Invitation letter below for each guest and mail out or hand deliver.

4. Prepare to speak about your upcoming experience on a GLA program in depth. You will receive a lot of questions con-cerning the service and activities you expect to do. Ask your GLA Enrollment Advisor to email you additional information about your program if necessary.

5. Provide a donation jar. Place it near the entrance of your home. Gather the guests for a brief summary of why you are trying to raise funds. Be sure to provide information on how much you will need to earn, how much you have already earned, and tell them how they can help.

ORGANIZE A HOUSE PARTY/BBQ

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1. Find a location to host your yard or garage sale. If you have a large front yard or driveway and are on a busy street, then look no further. Otherwise, contact a business or organiza-tion that has enough space for you to set up a sale.

2. Gather all of your old clothing, toys, furniture, etc. Ask your friends and extended family to do the same. Organize all of the goods you collect into categories so it is easier to set up the yard sale.

3. Post fliers all over your neighborhood advertising the sale.

4. Have friends and family come help you at the event. Plan on a sunny Saturday or Sunday. Either label your items with prices or provide a general price list with the general price of items.

5. Watch the hangers and tables empty out as the items sell like hotcakes.

ORGANIZEYARD/GARAGE SALE

1. Create a Facebook Event. Call it Help me volunteer in _______ this summer!. In the description write a detailed account of what you would be doing on your program. In-clude the dates you are traveling, the amount of money you need to raise, and a link to the GLA website for further infor-mation. Provide information on how your friends can donate money, whether it be through an online link or mailing a check to your address. Invite ALL of your Facebook friends.

2. Change your Facebook status to read: Help me raise money to travel to ______ to volunteer with Global Leadership Adven-tures this summer!. Then provide a link to your event page.

3. Every time you host another fundraising event, post it on your Facebook event page and status. Try to keep the event page active by posting relevant pictures, online articles, links, fundraising updates and other news on it.

LAUNCHFACEBOOK CAMPAIGN


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1. Are you sporty? Turn your skills into cash money. Consider a pledging system, where donors will pay a certain amount for every...

free throw volleyball serve ten yards that you throw a football soccer goal you make

2. Ask for pledges. Carry a sign up sheet with you, and ask friends, family members, teachers, and community members to pledge a minimum amount.

3. Set a limit. Say you will attempt 100 free throws, and for every one that you make donors will pay their pledge amount.

1. Contact a local business that has a large employee parking area that could accommodate a car wash. Ask if they would allow you to set up an all-day car wash event on a Saturday.

2. Gather some friends and an adult (maybe one of your par-ents) to chaperon. Buy supplies (soap, wax, rags, hose, etc)

3. Charge a base amount or ask for donations. Post fliers and have some of your volunteers wave signs on the side of the high-traffic streets.

SCORESPORTS PLEDGES

ORGANIZECAR WASH

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1. Call the manager of the store you and your family frequent most. Ask them if you and some of your friends can volun-teer to bag their customers groceries for a couple of hours during an afternoon.

2. Gather a small group of friends to help you volunteer. Make enough donations jars for each friend.

3. Set up the jars at the end of each check-out stand. On the jar put a small sign that says Donations. As you bag each customers groceries tell them that you are trying to raise money for a volunteer program and that any donation they could make would be greatly appreciated.

BAGGROCERIES

@ A LOCAL STORE

1. Collect empty jars you can use for a coin drive -- The more, the better. Decorate them and print out a small blurb about why you are raising money to paste onto them.

2. Ask local businesses if they would allow you to put a coin jar on the check-out counters in their stores.

3. Each week check in with the businesses and collect the money. You can continue the coin drive for an extended period of time, or just keep it at a few weeks.

4. Thank participating businesses.

LAUNCHCOIN DRIVE

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1. Go to local businesses or event hosts and ask for a donation. You can raffle off one big ticket item or several at one time. Some target items would be:

Concert Tickets Sporting Event Tickets Date Night Raffle (dinner and movie for two) Ski and Snowboarding Season Pass Spa Day

2. Visit or call each of these businesses and ask to speak with the person in charge of donations. Tell them why you are trying to raise money and that you plan to raffle off several items from local businesses to earn that money. Then ask them if they have a gift certificate/product that they would be willing to donate to your cause.

3. Contact a local grocery store or high-traffic business and ask them if you can set up a table outside of their store on a few different occasions. Plan on at least two or three sales days, and make a schedule of when you will be selling/when you will do the drawing.

HOSTA RAFFLE

4. When you set up your table, bring your GLA catalog, raffle tickets, and a cash bag. You will need to be able to provide change. Make your table look appealing. If you can display pictures of the prizes, or even have one of the prizes set up, that would add to your sales. Ask a few friends to come along and help you sell tickets.

5. As people approach the entrance of the store, ask them if they would like to buy a raffle ticket to help support your volunteer program. Tell them when and where you are going, and tell them when the drawing will be held and what the prizes are. Sell individual tickets for $1 or 6 for $5. Partici-pants will need to put their full name and phone number on their tickets.

6. Where will you do the drawing? We recommend asking a school administrator or teacher to draw the winning tickets during a lunch hour. They will draw enough tickets to have one for each prize. The grand prize will go to the first ticket drawn, the 2nd place prize to the second ticket, etc...EASY.

7. Call the winners and set up a time to deliver the prize or to have them pick the prize up.

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Locate a Local Community Foundation

Ask about opportunities for scholarships or fundraising from groups that know how to do it best.

Religious and Social Community Organizations

Tap into those important organizations that you give your time to. Chances are that they will be happy to give back to you!

Community Service Fundraising Club

There are probably other students at your school with fund-raising needs too. Start advertising a new fundraising club so you can host larger fundraising events and split the proceeds.

Make a Birthday Wish

Instead of asking for traditional birthday gifts, make it known to friends and family that you would rather receive a donation for your program.

Sell Greeting Cards

If you are creative you can make cards to sell for special holi-days (Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines Day, Christmas, etc). If not, ask a local artist to help you out!

Pet Grooming Service

Charge a small fee to wash, walk or sit for your neighbors pets.

Bake Sale

Fire up the kitchen! Bake an assortment of goodies to sell at an event, or set up a table at your local grocery store.

Sub in Any of These Fundraising Ideas

Newspaper Advertisement

Contact the editor of your local newspaper and ask for a small space in the upcoming edition of the paper. Submit an advertisement with information on how interested parties can donate to your cause

Movie Screening

Rent a movie that has something to do with the location you are planning to visit. You can go to your video store and ask them for ideas on appropriate films or documentaries. Set up a viewing at your house and charge a small fee to anyone who wants to come. Serve popcorn and hold a quick discussion afterward to add to the experience.

Blogging

A web log or blog is a relatively easy way to create your own webpage and present information to your potential sponsors as part of an email campaign. You can create a free blog by going to www.blogger.com or www.wordpress.com and following their instructions. You can post your start date, amount you need to raise, detailed motivations for your trip, photos, maps, and facts about the country you will be visiting. You can also use the blog to post the names (not amounts) of people who have sponsored you, and give updates as you prepare for your journey. Please make sure to link to Global Leadership Adventures!


Once youve applied to your GLA program and have been accepted, youll get a web link that you can distribute to friends and family so they can donate to your program. You can log into your on-line account and watch donations come in. Here are the steps you must take to make this happen.

1. Apply to your GLA program, submit your essays and deposit. Then, contact a GLA Enrollment Advisor to inform us that you will be fundraising. Our number is +1 (858) 358-4321. Well extend the payment deadline to allow you time to fundraise the balance of the tuition.

2. Distribute your unique Contribution Link so that people can click on to contribute directly to your account. Youll find the Contribution Link when you log into your online GLA account. See the picture. You can send this link as an email to everyone you know, or you can post it to Facebook so your friends can simply click on it and contribute. Clicking this link will take people to a page to collect contributions specifically for you!

3. If you receive contribution by check or cash, save those contributions and mail them to GLA in batches. Do not mail cash - have your parents write a check for the equivalent amount and mail the check.

4. If you receive more funds than the total program fee, well send you a check with a refund for the excess amount.

5. In the event that you cancel your program, contributions received may be applied to another program within 12 months from the original program start date. Otherwise, funds are subject to our refund policy, which is as follows:

Five months prior to program start date: All but $30 application fee is refundable Four months prior to program start date: 75% of tuition is refundable Three months prior to program start date: 50% of tuition is refundable Two months prior to program start date: 25% of tuition is refundable Less than two months prior to program start date: non-refundable

How to submit your donations to GLA

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[Date]

Dear ___________,

I am writing to you because I have just discovered a wonderful opportunity for an overseas experience that is bound to change my life. Global Leadership Adventures (GLA), an international education organization, offers a unique three-week summer program that sends high school students to countries such as Peru, Costa Rica, Ghana, and India. GLAs mission is to operate programs around the world, which offer educational, service and leadership opportunities for young people in order to foster leadership development and global citizenship.

With my interest in _________ I am excited to meet the international staff and students, volunteer with local communities and explore the history and culture of [destination country] while developing my leadership potential.

GLA is a recognized leader in its field, sending hundreds of high school students overseas every year. All Global Leadership Adventures programs are run solely by student contributions, and therefore each program has a fee. The fee for this three week program, including all meals, lodging, travel medical insurance, and in-country transportation, totals _______ and does not include airfare to [destination country].

To be able to go on this program I need financial assistance, which I hope you can help provide. For your convenience, Ive en-closed a self addressed envelope. You can make your checks out to me, but can but Global Leadership Adventures in the memo.

Should you have any questions about the program, please call me at (your #), or call Global Leadership Adventures at +1 (858) 358-4321. Your support and the support of those you know are greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you upon my return.

Thank you in advance.

Yours truly,

[your name]

Letter Writing Campaign Sample LetterSometimes all you have to do is ask nicely

APPENDIX The following is an assortment of sample documents to help you with your fundraising efforts. To view the printable versions for these letters, please see attachments.


[Date]

Dear ___________,

I am writing to you because I have just discovered a wonderful opportunity for an overseas experience that is bound to change my life. Global Leadership Adventures (GLA), an international education organization, offers a unique three-week summer program that sends high school students to countries such as Peru, Costa Rica, Ghana, and India. GLAs mission is to operate programs around the world, which offer educational, service and leadership opportunities for young people in order to foster leadership de-velopment and global citizenship. I am sincerely hoping you business will consider making a small donation to help me take part in upcoming programming and positively represent our community.

With my interest in _________ I am excited to meet the international staff and students, volunteer with local communities and explore the history and culture of [destination country] while developing my leadership potential.

GLA is a recognized leader in its field, sending hundreds of high school students overseas every year. All Global Leadership Adventures programs are run solely by student contributions, and therefore each program has a fee. The fee for this three week program, including all meals, lodging, travel medical insurance, and in-country transportation, totals _______ and does not include airfare to [destination country].

To be able to go on this program I need financial assistance, which I hope you can help provide. For your convenience, Ive en-closed a self addressed envelope. You can make your checks out to me, but can put Global Leadership Adventures in the memo.

Should you have any questions about the program, please call me at (your #), or call Global Leadership Adventures at +1 (858) 358-4321. Your support and the support of those you know are greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you upon my return.

Thank you in advance.

Yours truly,

[your name]

Local Business Donation Sample LetterSomeone will say yes

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[Date]

Dear ___________,

I am writing to thank you for your recent donation toward my pursuit of international travel and service. Your generosity has brought my dream of embarking on a Global Leadership Adventures trip that much closer to reality.

I aim to hone my leadership skills on this adventure and to make my family, peers and community proud.

Not everyone gets the opportunity to travel and expand their horizons in this way, and I assure you that I will not take it for granted.

With Gratitude,

[your name]

Thank You Sample LetterInclude a picture from your destination!


First Name, Last NameAddress: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Email:

Education High School Name City, State Start Year - Present

Experience (If Any) 2010 Present Pet Sitter Provide pet sitting services including dog walking, feeding and yard care. 2011 Present Child Care Provide child care for several families after school, weekends and during school vacations.

Achievements National Honor Society: 2004, 2005, 2006 Academic Honor Roll: 2002 - 2006

Volunteer Experience Big Brother / Big Sisters High School Literacy Program Run for Life

Interests / Activities Member of High School Tennis Team Girl Scouts Piano

Computer Skills Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoin

Sample ResumGreat practice for the future

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Tim Link, total funds raised: over $10,000 - multiple trips

My parents thought I would be lucky if I was able to raise the spending money and airfare for my first GLA trip. I totally shocked them by raising over half of the trip tuition along with the air-fare and spending money in just three months. Your parents and grandparents are a great place to start; sucker them into the dollar-for-dollar match idea if you can.

Success Stories from our Alumni Students

Instead of birthday and Christmas gifts, I asked for donations to my next adventure. I also got a part-time job. (*REMEMBER* to tell your boss and co-worker/co-workers about what you are doing. They are potential donors as well.) I sold things I didnt need anymore to local stores and raised $150 and I held a garage where I sold items, drinks and snacks. I raised $1200 in one day. Awesome!!

I made a booklet for the neighborhood kids about Ecuador/Galapa-gos Islands and included coloring pages/maps/recipes and general information on the country. The parents (potential donors) love this! In the booklet, I also invited them to follow our online blog while I was gone.

For my flight from my home airport to Miami I used frequent flyer miles and got that leg of the trip for FREE. (Some companies let people transfer frequent flyer miles to you.) My pop gave me some of his miles so I could have my domestic flight for free.


Betsy S, total funds raised: $ 1,160

I got on the ball quickly and started by drafting a list of everyone I knew or had helped out before. Then I drafted a letter explaining why I wanted to do the program and used quotes from Mandela and included pictures of South Africa. I then invited people from my church and my school clubs to a dinner at my house where I did a mini-presentation. The initial support I got was not just financial it also gave me a great confidence boost that I could raise enough. The key was definitely organization: taking notes, sending thank you letters, etc. I also set up an email list of sponsors and sent diary excerpts before, during, and after my trip. When I returned, I sent a photo collage to everyone who had donated...people are always asking me what my next adventure will be!

Tiffany R, total funds raised: $ 3,250

Once I had composed a letter, I took my telephone book and wrote down the names of every person in it (even the people I hadnt talked to in YEARS...seriously!!!) as well as the names of those people who I hadnt put in my book yet. I ended up with a list of 220 people. I got 440 envelopes and stamps and I mailed out my letter along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. I ended up with 65 contributions that paid for most of my trip in less than 45 days... My contributions ranged from $10 -$1000...literally, it was absolutely amazing!! I also made a point to let my sponsors know when I had reached my goal (with their help), I kept them abreast of my activities while abroad via postcards, and I sent each one of them a picture of me and my kids in Africa when I returned to the States.

Copyright Global Leadership Adventures

thailand fundraising kit

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