How can I get people to sponsor me in volunteering abroad?

Question

I'm hoping to volunteer abroad in Cambodia this summer, but I need to somehow raise about $4000 dollars. I've entered several speedgrant competitions and told everyone I know about it, and set up a webpage (http://volunteerabroad2008.blogspot.com), but no donations whatsoever so far. I was thinking perhaps I could get sponsored by some business or organization, but I have no idea how to go about doing this. I'm not registered as a non-profit or anything.

Answer 1

The company I work with helps people set up several low cost or no cost fundraiser programs, and I think we could help you. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] and I'll give you all the details!

Good luck!

Anthony

Answer 2

Do a search in Yahoo Answers - there are loads of questions and ideas for this.

My first thought is to go to the newspapers. Call the newspapers and ask for the human interest section. Tell them what you're planning on doing and ask if they might be willing to run a small article on you. Small local papers (ie: the once or twice weeklies) are especially open to stories like this - I often see articles like this in our tiny local paper. A friend of mine raised quite a bit of money for his 3-month volunteer stint by doing this.

You say you're in college - do you have a job? I would look at getting a part-time job if you don't have one already, and save every penny towards the trip. That will help a lot.

I just read part of your website and you say you're only going for 2-3 weeks. People are probably wondering why you need $4000 for such a short trip. You shouldn't be paying that much for your volunteer program even if your flight is included in that $4000.

Wow, I just checked out United Planet and their prices are insane. I hope you haven't signed up with them yet!! There are many (MANY) reputable volunteer organizations out there that will help you do the exact same thing you're planning on for just a fraction of the cost. I've done a LOT of research on overseas volunteering organizations (as I also did a trip like this at one point, but longer term) and United Planet is easily amongst the most expensive I've found.

I know this isn't what you're looking for, but my advice is to find another organization to volunteer through if you haven't already paid United Planet. Global Volunteer Networks is by far the least expensive - I could do 3 months in Ghana for about $1,400 and that covers meals and accommodation as well. Look around a bit.

If you've already paid and just want help covering your expenses, go to the newspapers. That might help. Or, ask your parents/friends if they'd be willing to donate $10 to your trip. Many will be willing to donate more than that.

Answer 3

Organizations are swamped with requests from people wanting to be sponsored for trips overseas, and I know of none that do so.

You need to raise the money yourself, through working, and through asking our own family and friends. It will be easier if you could say that you are paying for half the trip yourself, and how you will turn this experience into something to share with your family and your own community when you get back.

The book "How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas" has some fundraising ideas. And if you go to the resolved questions section of YahooAnswers, you will see many suggestions for raising funds.