Money making matters...?

Question

My friend and I are 14. We recieved letters in the mail to go to China next summer as ambassadors with eople-to-people. The only problem is the cost is $4,000-$6,000.

Does anybody have any creative ideas for us to earn money? (remember we're 14)

Does anybody know anything about major companys sponsorship?

Answer 1

First of all, do NOT let the "only 14" thing stand in your way. If you are being asked to go to China and your parents find you both mature enough to go that far away at age 14, then you are mature enough to not have to worry about that 'minor' detail. My pet-sitter (you'll find her link below) is only in 9th grade and owns her own pet sitting business and volunteers regularly at a local vet clinic. The girl made $70 off me in a weekend just for a few hours of "work"... if you find entertaining/playing with two doggies work!

I've put a link below for a link from the People-to-People website if you haven't checked it out yet. It has lots of great ideas and information about sponsorships and how to go about them.

For sponsorships, first come up with a list of companies you think would want to sponsor this. Also, don't stop with corporations. Try religious organizations and non-profits too! Make Google your best friend on finding this stuff! Then create a presentation with all the details: who you are, why you're going, what you hope to gain from the experience, etc. And don't forget to include how the corporation fits into it all (they love to make this stuff all about THEM). Once you know what you wanna say and who you wanna say it to, get on the phone and start asking who you would need to speak with. Be insistent; Don't let a few uninterested secretaries deter you. Try to get in contact directly with the CEO.

As far as other fundraising ideas, here's a few:

+ Garage sales - This will give you and your parents and excuse to FINALLY get rid of your baby clothes. ;-)

+ Bake sales - The best thing I ever bought at a bake sale was breakfast burritos. Eggs and sausage all wrapped in a tortilla. MMMmmm. Point being: don't stop at baked goods.

+ Theme Fundraising Parties - People make a donation to attend.

+ Auctions - I knew someone who had a bunch of really random, unvaluable stuff that he auctioned off. Because everyone knew what he was raising the money for, they had no problem paying $30 for a hair brush or $125 for a grainy snapshot of his dog! Of course, this method only works if you're in the right room. :D (This room was a college church organization, by the way)

+ Then there's the pre-16th birthday odd jobs: babysitting, lawn mowing, helping the elderly neighbor, dog walking.

Hope this helps get you started. And don't forget to hit up the relatives! They love you, right? ;-D

OH, before I forget... you have about a year or so, right? See if your parents can set up an interest bearing account (savings or checking) where you can put the money you collect over the year. If all the dollars you raise can make a little off of themselves in the process, that's a big help!

Answer 2

Don't give the ask amount until you are satisfied these people are not fraud. There are many spams which are trying to cheat people & ask  money for. Be careful.