Need ideas!

[arozanska]

Hi,
I'm doing a volunteering project next summer in Fiji, with an organisation called VESAbroad, helping to build freshwater supply tanks in schools in remote villages, teaching english and hygiene and restoring buildings and equipment.
However, in order to do so I must raise around £2,000 to pay for building supplies, skilled tradesmen for supervision, etc.
If anyone has any ideas of how I can do this, I would greatly appreciate it:redface:

 

[IANL]

Hi,
I'm doing a volunteering project next summer in Fiji, with an organisation called VESAbroad, helping to build freshwater supply tanks in schools in remote villages, teaching english and hygiene and restoring buildings and equipment.
However, in order to do so I must raise around £2,000 to pay for building supplies, skilled tradesmen for supervision, etc.
If anyone has any ideas of how I can do this, I would greatly appreciate it:redface:

Welcome to the forum

You have to ensure that people don't think you're trying to get a free holiday.

Speak to friends, family, work colleagues and if you have a good relationship speak to your customers and suppliers. Get them to sponsor you.

 

[arozanska]

Yeah I know that's one of the problems I have that I just don't know how to solve :|

I have started to speak to friends and family but I'm pretty sure that's not going to raise enough. I have thought about some fundraising events like carboot sales, and have set up a blog but I'm stuck for ideas otherwise.

 

[F. Magickal]

Have you thought to talk to your local radio station? So long as the information is clear and concise they might be able to help with a "shout out" for you on the station. Give them an email address for anyone who wants to help etc. I wouldn't recommend a phone number because of hoaxers.

Also try asking around community centres etc, anywhere there are people there is the potential for fundraising.

Always make sure you quote the company though as that way people know you're not ripping them off and you are genuinely helping people, as they can google it etc and find out more.

Good luck, and I hope you manage to get your funds.

 

[arozanska]

That's great, thank you, I will definitely do that! Do you think business cards with a link to the blog / some information about the company who's organising it would help?

:redface:

 

[F. Magickal]

You could do that, but simply printing (on your own computer) a small leaflet about a 3rd of a A4 page would work. After all it's just a link to their website/blog and a little detail about how the company works and what you will be doing to help people when you are out there.

The more information you put on your leaflet the less likely they are to ask you about it (information overload is a killer), but don't leave it so lacking that they are confused.

 

[arozanska]

Yeah that's true, thank you
Do you think writing to companies would get any donations? I read about it somewhere, but wasn't sure if it was worth the time considering it's not a big/well known cause.

 

[F. Magickal]

You could, but to be honest most businesses are a bit cash strapped at the moment. You could try some of your local ones, mainly the Eco-friendly stores as they tend to be more leaning that way (helping the planet, helping each other types). However I doubt you'll rustle up much from that avenue. Unless, of course, you know any of your local business people?

 

[arozanska]

Hmm, that is true. Unfortunately I've just moved to the area so I don't really know anyone at the moment

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

You need to sound bit more driven, motivated and passionate for starters! All your posts seem very half hearted, with somewhat unconvincing excuses as to why you haven't already tried some of the most obvious things.
If you can't at least sound like your making an effort to raise money, how on earth are you going to convince anybody else to hand over their hard earned cash!
Do some leaflets, start a FB page, tweet regularly at local press, community groups etc; put together a display board with plenty of information WITH IMAGES about the cause you are trying to raise awareness of o take with you wherever you may go in order to fundraise; start collecting bric-a-brac to sell at carboot sales ..... you get lots of local people at this sort of an event looking for bargains and it will offer you an opportunity to meet new faces, get your message across and raise funds.
It is going to be very difficult to persuade people to just hand over cash for your project as no matter how you dress it up, it will come across as a free holiday for you, especially in the current economic climate. You stand a much better chance of getting cash if you are seen to be making a REAL effort yourself, so sponsrd bike rides, runs etc (which can be good publicity stunts too) will help;
you could organize n event locally which might attract attention, help you make friends and raise funds too ....... how about a Zumba-thon? Use your imagination, work hard and you will get what you need, but you have got to be completely driven, otherwise you may as well just go to Clacton for a weekend litter picking instead.

 

[Dave Kinnel]

OP there is one really easy and simple solution to raising £2,000 in nine months or less (your time scale). Get a job, part time and holidays if your studying or in full time employment. A job paying minimum wage would only require you to work eight or so hours a week to achieve your target in the time you have left.

 

[Mike tells it like it is]

Hi,
I'm doing a volunteering project next summer in Fiji, with an organisation called VESAbroad, helping to build freshwater supply tanks in schools in remote villages, teaching english and hygiene and restoring buildings and equipment.
However, in order to do so I must raise around £2,000 to pay for building supplies, skilled tradesmen for supervision, etc.
If anyone has any ideas of how I can do this, I would greatly appreciate it:redface:

I hate 2011, once voluntearing was just that.

Now days the internet is bursting at the seems with companies wanting students and graduates to pay them £5,000 to go an volunteer somewhere and on top of that they have to pay their own flights etc.

One even has to pay £30 to be a National Trust Volunteer and fill in an application form.

If anyone asked me for money or to fill in an application form to give them my time for free then they would receive a to the point response.

As for raising £2000 sell stuff on ebay.

 

[Mike tells it like it is]

OP there is one really easy and simple solution to raising £2,000 in nine months or less (your time scale). Get a job, part time and holidays if your studying or in full time employment. A job paying minimum wage would only require you to work eight or so hours a week to achieve your target in the time you have left.

I would guess that in the current climate getting a job is neither quick nor simple.

 

[arozanska]

I have done some basic stuff already, I've created a blog with lots of information and will be tracking everything I do on it, I'm going to create a facebook page, I've started making flyers and I'm definitely going to do a carboot sale.
Thanks for all the ideas though
I know it's going to be hard that's why I'm asking if anyone has any tips of ways of fundraising, that maybe don't just involve people handing over their cash, e.g. a carboot sale means they actually get items in return

 

[arozanska]

OP there is one really easy and simple solution to raising £2,000 in nine months or less (your time scale). Get a job, part time and holidays if your studying or in full time employment. A job paying minimum wage would only require you to work eight or so hours a week to achieve your target in the time you have left.

I do have a job, however with the amount I'm paying for rent, tax, and bills, I don't have much leftover afterwards! I have already put £230 into it from myself, and hopefully will be able to put more as time goes on

 

[Dave Kinnel]

I would guess that in the current climate getting a job is neither quick nor simple.

Part time jobs are easy to find, McDonalds, KFC, Supermarkets etc not to mention bar work particularly if you can work evenings and be flexible with your hours, and with just eight hours a week required flexibility shouldn't be a problem.

 

[td2011]

I do have a job, however with the amount I'm paying for rent, tax, and bills, I don't have much leftover afterwards! I have already put £230 into it from myself, and hopefully will be able to put more as time goes on

I think people are forgetting how difficult it can be to raise money especially if you have rent and bills to pay. Good luck with raising the funds Arozanska

 

[arozanska]

I think people are forgetting how difficult it can be to raise money especially if you have rent and bills to pay. Good luck with raising the funds Arozanska

thank you

 

[Dave Kinnel]

I think people are forgetting how difficult it can be to raise money especially if you have rent and bills to pay.

Far from it, particularly on a business forum I would imagine. As they say "if it was easy everyone would do it". That's what separates those that do from those that don't.

I wish the OP well, and really do think a part time job is the easiest way to go, well at least until someone comes up with another sure-fire way of raising the funds!

 

[arozanska]

Far from it, particularly on a business forum I would imagine. As they say "if it was easy everyone would do it". That's what separates those that do from those that don't.

I wish the OP well, and really do think a part time job is the easiest way to go, well at least until someone comes up with another sure-fire way of raising the funds!

I know it's definitely hard, I'm hoping to be able to do overtime to maybe earn some extra cash,
Thank you

 

[td2011]

Hi I was just wondering how the fundraising was going and if you ended up getting a job to fund the trip to do the work in figi?

 

[arozanska]

I haven't actually done any fundraising yet because I'm not sure wether I'm going to do it anymore - the company who organises it is trying to charge way too much for the flights, so in total it comes up to having to raise £3000 for the trip, which is just too much in my opinion. When I've looked at flights individual ones were about £800 and they're trying to charge £1800 for GROUP flights. I feel like they're trying to trick innocent students and make money off them from the trips they organise. Don't really think I wanna be a part of that.. I'm gonna have a look around and find other volunteering trips maybe... I've seen some good ones around before..

I did have a great idea though of doing a lingerie fashion show as a fundraiser, it would have been really fun to do! I might still do it but for a different cause..

Thanks anyway!

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Thank you for giving us an update ...... you are probably right about the costs of the flights offered, if you spend a bit of time looking elsewhere you may well find more affordable options. Good luck with your plans.

 

[arozanska]

Thank you

 

[athanne]

The idea of using a local radio sounds good to me. I have seen it work and help to raise money and foodstuff to drought hit areas in our country and in different parts of the world. Just be genuine and talk to one around your area. Although most people have lost confidence with many common channels apparently used to raise money, they have some faith with media operators.

 

[td2011]

I haven't actually done any fundraising yet because I'm not sure wether I'm going to do it anymore - the company who organises it is trying to charge way too much for the flights, so in total it comes up to having to raise £3000 for the trip, which is just too much in my opinion. When I've looked at flights individual ones were about £800 and they're trying to charge £1800 for GROUP flights. I feel like they're trying to trick innocent students and make money off them from the trips they organise. Don't really think I wanna be a part of that.. I'm gonna have a look around and find other volunteering trips maybe... I've seen some good ones around before..

I did have a great idea though of doing a lingerie fashion show as a fundraiser, it would have been really fun to do! I might still do it but for a different cause..
Thanks anyway!

Hi Arozanska, sorry to hear the trip hasn't been going to plan. Unfortunately it can be very difficult to achieve these sorts of things. I've been giving charity work a thought myself but am also faced wth these same obstacles. I think you might be right about the organisation taking advantage of students. Keep us posted on any moves anyway.

 

[nevermind]

Buy a ticket to Fiji for £800. Go to a remote village where you can get accommodation for a packet of kava (about £3 a day). Do your charity job – teach English, tap dancing or whatever you know. Or do nothing and enjoy the Pacific.