If you’re planning a study abroad program, volunteer trip, or other meaningful travel experience but need help covering the cost, a FundMyTravel campaign can help you raise money for your trip. You can use your campaign to explain what you’re planning, set a fundraising goal, and share your story with people who may want to support you.
This guide walks you through the process step by step, from creating your FundMyTravel account and setting your fundraising goal to sharing your campaign and thanking your donors. Creating an account and sharing your campaign is free, and you can receive donations as they come in rather than waiting until you reach your goal.
Before You Start: Gather These Three Things
Five minutes of prep here saves you from a half-finished campaign later. Have these ready:
1. Your real budget
Add up flights, program or tuition fees, travel insurance, visas, local transportation, housing, and a small buffer for unexpected expenses. Using your actual estimated costs can also help you set a clear fundraising goal.
2. A story in a few sentences
Be ready to explain where you’re going, when you’re going, what you’ll be doing there, and why the experience matters to you. You’ll expand on this later, but having the main points ready can make the setup process easier.
3. Photos and, ideally, a short video
Choose a photo of yourself rather than relying only on destination photos. You can also prepare a 30- to 60-second video explaining your trip. These can be added during setup or afterward.
How to Take Your FundMyTravel Campaign From Setup to Success
Step 1: Create Your Free Account
Head to FundMyTravel and create your free account. Creating an account and sharing your campaign is free.
Once you’re in, you can start a new campaign. Keep your budget and campaign notes from the prep step nearby as you set things up.
Step 2: Set Your Fundraising Goal
Use your estimated trip costs to set a fundraising goal. Include the expenses you expect to cover, such as program fees, flights, housing, transportation, and other travel costs.
- Base it on your actual costs. If your flight is $450 and your program fee is $1,200, use those figures when calculating your goal.
- Leave room for unexpected expenses. If you expect additional costs, include a reasonable buffer in your budget rather than choosing an arbitrary amount.
You don’t have to reach your full goal before receiving donations. FundMyTravel allows you to receive donations as they come in.
Step 3: Write Your Campaign Story
Your campaign story gives potential donors context about your trip and why you’re raising money for it. Keep it specific and explain what you’re planning, where you’re going, and what the funds will cover.
Lead with specifics. Instead of saying only that the trip means a lot to you, explain what you’ll actually be doing. For example, you might mention the destination, dates, program, and activities involved.
Explain where the money goes. Show potential donors what their contributions will help cover. For example, you might be raising $2,500 for a three-week wildlife conservation program in Costa Rica, including $1,200 for the program, $700 for flights, and $600 for accommodation and local transportation.
Keep the tone warm and honest. You don’t need to create a dramatic story to explain why you want to go. Focus on your plans, your goals, and what the experience means to you.
If you’d like more help with the wording, FundMyTravel’s guide to writing a captivating crowdfunding description walks through the main elements of a campaign description.
Step 4: Add Photos and a Video
Photos and videos can help potential donors get a better sense of who you are and what you’re planning. FundMyTravel allows campaigners to add both to their campaigns.
- Add a photo of yourself. Choose a clear, personal photo rather than relying only on destination images.
- Record a short video. Introduce yourself, explain where you’re going, and share what you’ll be doing there. It doesn’t need to be professionally produced.
- Include relevant destination or program images. A few additional images can give people a better idea of the experience you’re fundraising for.
Step 5: Connect Your Payment Processor
When creating your campaign, you’ll need to attach a payment processor account (WePay, Stripe, or PayPal). This account is used to process the donations you receive through your FundMyTravel campaign.
Follow FundMyTravel’s instructions to connect your payment processor account and complete any required verification. Once connected, you’ll be able to receive donations through your campaign.
Step 6: Review and Launch
Before you launch your campaign, read through the page as if you were seeing it for the first time. Check that:
- Your goal reflects your estimated expenses.
- Your story explains where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, and why you’re fundraising.
- Your photos and video are in place.
- Your payment processor is connected.
Once everything looks right, launch your campaign.
Step 7: Share With Your Inner Circle First
Start by sharing your campaign directly with people you already know, such as family members, friends, mentors, or others who may want to support your trip.
Personal messages make it easier to explain why you’re fundraising and give people a chance to ask questions. Instead of sending only a campaign link, include a short message about your trip and a specific way they can help.
This can also be a good way to soft launch your fundraiser before sharing it more widely. For more tips, see FundMyTravel’s guide to how to soft launch your fundraiser.
Step 8: Spread the Word Publicly
After sharing your campaign directly with people you know, you can reach a wider audience through social media and email. FundMyTravel provides sharing options to help you distribute your campaign.
- Share on the platforms you use. You can also ask friends and family to share your campaign with their own networks.
- Share more than once. People may not see your first post, so consider sharing updates throughout your fundraising period.
- Give each post some context. Instead of posting only the campaign link, mention your progress, an upcoming milestone, or what the funds will help cover.
Read our guide on how to promote a fundraiser on social media
Step 9: Post Updates to Keep People Informed
Keep your supporters updated as your plans progress. You might share an update when you reach a fundraising milestone, receive your visa, book your flight, or have another meaningful development.
Updates don’t need to be long. A few sentences and a photo can be enough to show your progress and give you another opportunity to share your campaign.
You can also use your FundMyTravel page to track offline support, so contributions received outside the online platform can be reflected in your campaign progress.
Step 10: Thank Your Donors Along the Way
Thank people when they contribute rather than waiting until your campaign ends. A short, personal message lets donors know that you appreciate their support.
If you’re not sure what to say, these thank-you letter ideas for travel donations can help you put together a thoughtful message.
Step 11: Follow Through After Your Trip
Once your trip is over, consider sharing a short update with the people who supported your campaign. Tell them what you did, what you learned, or what the experience meant to you, and include a photo or two from your trip.
Following up gives you a chance to show how the funds supported your experience and close out your campaign on a personal note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few patterns show up repeatedly in campaigns that stall:
- A vague goal. “Help me travel” raises less than “help me cover my flight to Peru.”
- One post and done. A single launch-day share misses most of the people repeated updates would reach.
- Skipping the personal ask. Public posts alone rarely outperform direct messages to the people most likely to give.
- Going quiet after donations come in. Donors who never hear back are far less likely to give again.
For a fuller list, read 5 Things That Might Ruin Your Travel Funding Campaign.
Bring Your Travel Plans to Life
Creating a FundMyTravel campaign is only the beginning. A clear goal, specific story, and realistic budget give your campaign a strong foundation. From there, focus on sharing it with the right people, keeping your supporters updated, and thanking them along the way.
Once your trip is over, take a moment to share what you experienced and how their support helped make the trip possible. That final update gives you a chance to close the loop with the people who supported you.
Ready to get started? Create your free FundMyTravel account and start your campaign.
See How Others Made Their Trips Possible
Looking for inspiration before you launch your campaign? Read FundMyTravel testimonials to see how other travelers used fundraising to help make their trips possible.
About FundMyTravel
FundMyTravel is a crowdfunding platform created specifically for travelers who need help funding meaningful travel experiences. It allows travelers to create fundraising campaigns for trips such as study abroad programs, volunteer experiences, internships, and other travel opportunities.
Travelers can create a campaign page, set a fundraising goal, share their story, and receive donations from people who want to support their journey. Your dream trip shouldn’t be out of reach simply because of the cost. FundMyTravel gives you a place to share your plans and invite others to help make the experience possible.
