5 Ways to Fundraise with the Help of Family and Friends

Study abroad is one of the most fulfilling and satisfying things a student can do in their lifetime. You’ll gain friends, learn new experiences and completely immerse yourself in a new culture. It does sound like the best idea, right?

However, no matter how inviting the concept of study abroad is, only a few people dare to go that route. And the major aspect that holds students back is the financial side of it. Nowadays, there are several initiatives that students can use to raise funds including scholarships, grants, loans and even fundraising.

Online crowdfunding has been a growing trend that’s been used not only for entrepreneurial or creative missions but also for personal goals such as study abroad. Although a few people would readily jump on the bandwagon, there are a few people who’d think twice about online fundraising. How do you run an online fundraising without feeling uncomfortable? How can you share your message to your community without being too needy? Let’s look at some ways to fight those obstacles:

Commit to your study abroad program from the start

• People are not comfortable with the idea of giving you money just so you can experience a new city abroad. There has to be something beyond that. Come up with reasons why this study abroad program will not only help you personally but also your community. Let them know that you are 110% committed to learn and gain knowledge which you can share with your community when you get back.
  

Share your story

• Once you have been able to decide which program to enroll in, identify the key ways that it will help you grow as a student and as a person. What characteristics will you develop when you study abroad? And more importantly, how will this affect the people around you? What can you bring back to the community? What value can you bring to the table?
  

Offer donation incentives 

• Another way you can entice people to donate is by offering donation rewards - the higher the donation, the better the incentive is. Search for items, food, delicacies or other things that are special to your destination and use it as a donation reward. How about exchanging a $25 donation for a slate carved Mayan Calendar from Western Belize? Organic Chocolate from Southern Belize for a $10 donation? Or maybe a beautiful wood carved toucan from one of the Belizean Cayes if they donate $100?

Commit some of your funds so people will know you are all-in 

• You can’t raise funds from outside money alone, you have to put yours as well. Make sure to get this message across too, so people will know how dedicated you are as a fundraiser. Include your savings and money from odd jobs in your Adventure Registry section. Fundraise outside of FundMyTravel - sell goods, bake cookies, wash cars, etc - and write them down into your page so people will know that you are also doing part in this campaign.

Write from the heart, be persistent and work hard

• Open your heart when running your campaign page. It’s not enough that you launch a campaign and expect everyone to donate to you - you also have to do your part. When you write from your heart, it shows your passion and moves people to donate. The more passion you have the more others feel it and are inspired by it. Couple that with hard work and determination and you’re sure to get to your goal.

About the author: Christine Petilla-Del Pilar is the Product Lead of FundMyTravel, the leading crowdfunding platform for travelers. FundMyTravel has raised over a million dollars helping more travelers raise funding since its launch in 2013 with thousands of active users. With FundMyTravel, we help you fund meaningful travel experiences.