How can I find grants or corporate donors for my volunteer trip to Tanzania this summer?

Question

I'm located in Ontario, Canada, and I deperately need to raise more money for my trip before I go so that I could reach the $4000 cost. I have tried getting money off of students and going door to door, but they had weak results.

Now, I would like to get some grants from non-profit organizations or even corporate sponsors. Unfortunately I do not have the means to find them. Since the organization I am going under is a registered charity, donations are fully tax deductible. I don't mind wearing corporate sponsor's logos, if necessary.

Answer 1

Not going to happen. If you go through the resolved section of community service, you will see this same question asked again and again. Foundations and corporations don't fund feel-good trips for Westerners abroad. Their point of view: $4000 could employ people in Tanzania, rather than sending one person there.

You could look into taking out a loan, or taking jobs to raise as much money as you can yourself.

Answer 2

I agree with Jayne. These charity organisations / feel good tour operators are a pet hate of mine.  They are only really seeking your money and don't expect you to make any real contribution to the NGO.  They are leeches but at least the NGO has a constant reliable source of funds during the summer college/uni breaks.

Aid foundations and corporations want to see a result for their investment. You will not have enough exposure for a corporation to capitalise on.  It's difficult enough for small NGO's to raise money from donors!

There are enough NGO's in East Africa that are not established and are not connected to a foreign volunteer company, and these small NGO's would want your enthusiasm as much as your money, but you have to put in the effort to find them on the internet.

I would advise you to recruit your friends and family to help you raise the money for the tour operator and flights. Organise a few sponsored events with all your friends taking part and raising money too.  Dress up with a bunch of female friends in scantily-clad Massai warrior clothes and hit the local bars with buckets to collect cash.

Use your imagination and have fun.