Fundraising for your trip
Author: Polly Sadler, Conservation Enthusiast
Read time: 3 minutes
Flooglebinder are travel experts and a certified B Corporation with tour experience in over 75 countries. We curate sustainable bespoke adventures that incorporate sustainability, conservation and wellness. As a BCorp organisation we use business as a force for good, meet the highest standards of verified performance, accountability and transparency, whilst tracking and monitoring our social and environmental impact.
Fundraising for your trip can be a challenge, but there are numerous things you can do to help you gain those all-important funds you need for your trip. Fundraising also has numerous benefits including the instilment of essential life skills. From little life changes to help you spend less on a daily basis, to larger organised events, below are a few ways of bringing in cash to help you fundraise for your trip.
“Little changes can save you a lot of money over time”
Use what you’ve got – maybe you play an instrument, have a knack for baking or have a talent for knitting or an artistic streak. Start an online shop, arrange a bake sale or concert and people will happily donate money, especially when they know it’s going to a helpful cause. You could also sell lessons to help others.
Cut out the luxuries – whether this means taking your own lunch to school or work, cutting down coffee purchases or takeaways, spending more nights in, or walking more rather than taking buses/taxis/trains/your own car. Most of us pay for subscriptions and memberships that add up, and we could easily do without for a few months or longer. Little changes made in your everyday routine have the potential to save you a lot of money over time and may help you change your life for the better in the long run.
“Develop vital communication and interpersonal skills that will stick with you”
Sell unused things – no doubt there are a few items in your wardrobe, drawers or loft that you don’t use and could be worth something, whether they are DVDs or video games that can be exchanged at CEX, unworn clothes that can be sold on Vinted or Depop, or hobby equipment you never use and can put on eBay, this is a great way to earn a bit more money whilst also de-cluttering.
Offer a service – help out your neighbours and raise money by offering out your time and services. This could mean anything from washing cars, mowing lawns, pet sitting, or window cleaning.
“Fundraising also has numerous benefits including the instilment of essential life skills”
Environmentally friendly – what better way to raise money than by doing something that helps the world around us? Sponsored litter picking, park or beach clean-ups, and recycling can all help you get where you need to be, whilst also doing something good for the planet.
Sports activities – it is likely that the trip you are fundraising for involves physical outdoor activities. Organising a sponsored walk, cycle, swim or run can not only help bring in the funds you need to send you on the trip but can help you practice and improve your fitness, getting you ready for the physical challenges that await you at your destination. If fitness is your thing already, consider offering lessons or classes in an activity of your choice.
“Cut down coffee purchases, spend more nights in, or walk more”
Team up with your friends – if you want to organise an event to gain funds, your friends can be a great help. Not only can they be there to help in person with whatever event or product you are selling, but they can help spread the word, telling their family and friends and reaching a much larger audience.
Online fundraising page – these are a quick and efficient way to help raise funds in the background. There are numerous websites out there that do this. Most charge very little and have no minimum amounts or deadlines. The page can be easily shared on social media or via emails, and friends and family can assist in spreading the word. While an easy strategy, it shouldn’t be the only one, but it is a useful tool to have ticking away in the background whilst you organise other fundraising activities.
Taking part in fundraising will not only help you gain the money you need for your upcoming trip but will also have a range of other benefits. The community involvement and support built will help create a sense of pride and ownership in the school.
Fundraising will instil a sense of pride and responsibility in you as a student, helping you build essential skills such as budgeting and organising – skills which are important in all areas of your personal and professional life. It will also help you develop vital communication and interpersonal skills that will stick with you long after the fundraising is accomplished.
