A Step-by-Step Fundraising Plan for Meaningful Travel

Having meaningful travel abroad sometimes means taking the essential steps to fundraising for it. Here’s the only step-by-step fundraising plan you need! ☆

For those who are thinking “I need a step-by-step fundraising plan, but don’t know where to start”…this article was written just for you. Not everyone excels at planning, and that is completely okay. We can’t all be as smart and organized as Hermione Granger! However, with just a bit of advice and a well-guided plan, you will be off and running towards your travel goals in no time.

Nowadays, online fundraising is so easy to do and there are millions of campaigns out there. (We wish we were exaggerating!) In order to stand out, you need a plan that is well thought out and unique to YOU. Thankfully, it’s not as hard as it sounds and anyone can do it. Ready to get started? Cool! Read on for our step-by-step fundraising plan. 

A step-by-step fundraising plan for meaningful travel

1. Identify your cause or purpose 

What are you fundraising for? A vacation, mission trip, volunteer work, or study abroad? Identifying your cause and purpose is the first of our steps in fundraising because it sets the tone for your online fundraiser.

If you have a clear vision for what you need the money for, it will help others to understand what they are giving towards. So, if you are still indecisive about what trip, program, or location to choose, it’s time to start researching now.

2. Identity your goals 

What are your goals for your trip? In order to create a successful fundraiser, you need to be able to set goals for yourself to help incentivize others. Maybe your goal is to finish your degree, advance the mission of a non-profit, or learn more about another culture. Whatever your goal may be, it’s a good idea to write them down. They will come in handy when you’re ready for the next step—storytelling.

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3. Tell your story 

So, you’ve identified the where, when, and goals of your trip. Yay! Good for you! The next steps in fundraising involve telling your story. AKA creating a compelling story that motivates others to donate. Sound difficult? Trust us, it’s not as hard as it sounds.

Use your words to tell a story—explain your purpose and goals for your trip. For example, your story could go as follows: “I won’t just be sipping down curry in India, I’ll be volunteer teaching at a local school to help kids excel at math and science.” Think of storytelling as a way to describe what your daily life will be like.

4. Estimate your costs

This step in fundraising will require some research; however, it’s worth it in order to estimate how much money you will actually need to fundraise for. Look up the cost of living in your chosen location.

Where will you be living? How much does the food cost? Do you plan to eat out a lot or cook for yourself? These are all good things to know before signing up for your trip and asking others for money.

5. Create a meaningful incentive 

If asking for money makes you cringe, creating an incentive (otherwise known as a gift) for your donors can help ease the guilt. So, what exactly is a meaningful incentive? It’s a way to give back to your donors!

There are many ways to do it, but the key is to give back to your donors and show your appreciation in a fun and unique way. Your incentive doesn’t even need to be expensive. Some past ideas have included sending a postcard to everyone who donates $25 or more.

[How to Fundraise Effectively & Meet Your Goal]

6. Create your Fundraiser 

Of course the final step is to create your FundMyTravel fundraiser! By starting your campaign, donations will automatically be sent to your account. Plus, it’s free to create an account and share your campaign! FundMyTravel only takes 5% of all donations to keep the site running and to be able to provide technical and customer support. Sounds pretty nifty, right?

Follow these 6 steps in fundraising, and you’ll be abroad in no time!

While fundraising for a trip can be intimidating at first, following the step-by-step fundraising plan outlined above will put you on the right track. Every fundraiser must be thought out in order to succeed on some level. As much as we wish, money doesn’t grow on trees! ??

By creating a FundMyTravel account and starting your campaign, you will have begun the process of fundraising for the trip of a lifetime. Whatever your travel dreams are, they can (and do) come true for many. All it takes is some planning and dedication!

Create a FundMyTravel Account and Start Fundraising!

This article was written by Kaila Forster. Kaila is a recent graduate from the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in international business and history. During college, she embarked on her first adventure abroad, studying in Chongqing, China. Upon graduation, Kaila returned to China as a marketing intern with a trading company outside of Shanghai. She is currently working as a Revenue Tax Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Kaila enjoys spending her free time cooking, incessantly bothering her cat, and volunteer teaching immigrants and refugees.