Sponsorship Letters
Money up front: $15-$25 for stamps and photocopies ($0 if you send letters by email)
How it works:Send letters to local businesses and service organizations requesting support.
- Determine who you will write to. Start with organizations that have a vested interest in cultural exchange and organizations with which you have a long-standing relationship.
- Focus on two main points when writing your letter:
- Why is educational travel important?
- How will your donor’s money help?
- Have a look at our sponsorship letter template.
- Hand-deliver your letters for greater impact or, to reach more people, consider sending them out by email.
- Offer something in return: display their logo at future fundraisers or offer “advertising” space on a group tour t-shirt.
- Give thanks. Send a postcard from your travels and/or invite all donors to a trip presentation upon your return.
See pages 4 and 5 of the Sponsorship and Grants Fundraising Guide (PDF) for further information.
Money up front: $0
How it works: Set up an account for your own website. It allows you to collect funds electronically with credit cards. All funds go through an associated non-profit, so they are tax deductible.
- Set up an account at FirstGiving.com
- Send an email through FirstGiving.com to ask friends, family and colleagues to make a donation.
- You can track your progress as you collect donations.
Grant writing
Money up front: $0
How it works: Grants are sums of money that are awarded to fund a specific activity or organization. They can be difficult to research, and approval can take time, so it’s important to plan ahead and have a back-up plan. Consider if grants are the best fit for your group or if you might opt for sponsorship through alternative options (listed above).
- Define your goal and mission for traveling with students. Seek a grantor who supports it.
- Search online for grants that fit your needs and are related to education and travel. See our Sponsorship and Grants Fundraising Guide (PDF) for a list of places to start.
- Look for continuing support. Some grants offer repeat funding or the opportunity to set up a travel fund. Even if it is not mentioned, it is worth asking if the grantor might consider matching the funds year to year.