Loan Programs
424 Adams St. Milton, MA 02186
Tel 617-696-7840
email: iefc@aol.com
http://www.mefa.org
Individual Fundraising
Fundraising requires that you believe in what you are doing. Realize that you are making a big commitment and are taking important action in an international forum. This decision is worth supporting and it will be supported. Fundraising also demands hard work, organized planning, and persistence. Try to make it interesting and enjoyable and you will be surprised at the warmth with which people respond to your requests. Start early. Talk to as many people as you can about your plans. Follow up on as many leads as possible.
Charity begins at home. How much can you contribute from savings and from wages earned between now and the beginning of the course? How much can your family contribute? You might ask them to match the amount you earn on your own, or to match each dollar you earn with $50. You might also ask a member of your extended family for a loan which you will repay the year after the course.
Approach community or campus organizations. We can supply you with a letter on your behalf telling potential sponsors about the program in which you will participate. If you are a member of a religious organization you may be able to get support from your church or synagogue. Civic groups are also good candidates to support your Fundraising effort. If you are a student, your university has sources of funds. Try the administration, trustees, social science, political science, and international eduction department or office, student government and campus organizations. These sources may have money for individual grants or be willing to organize fundraising activities for you.
Search out small foundations and corporations whose scope is limited to requests from your immediate area. Local libraries have this information on file; also check with the Chamber of Commerce in your town. A good way to approach community organizations and local foundations is to ask the president or chairperson (or a friend who is a member) for an opportunity to make a presentation before the group. In your presentation, explain what you are planning to do, why it is important, and what you are asking from them. We can provide you with brochures and flyers (feel free to copy any materials we send you). With all these organizations, you can offer them something in return for their support. This might be a slide show, lecture, or mention of them in a local newspaper article when you come back.
Below are some more imaginative fundraising techniques. They have all worked for past and current participants. Beyond these, there are endless creative possibilities. In our experience, attitude is the most important element.
1. Hold a raffle. Family and friends are great sellers of raffle tickets. If you don't have something worth raffling, ask a company or store to donate a bike, stereo or television. Or travel agencies will sometimes contribute trips or cruises. Hotels might contribute weekend stays.
2. Ask for donations from churches in return for a slide show when you return. Offer to take a message of peace signed by your congregation to congregations in the region you will visit. Upon returning, you can make a large collage for your church with pictures and and messages of peace.
3. The local media may be interested in what you are doing. Contact newspapers and television and radio stations and offer to send "Letters from Africa" or "Letters from the Soviet Union" etc. Write an article or give an interview when you return in exchange for their sponsorship.
4. Host a cultural night, such as a "Latin American Fiesta" or "African Solidarity" party. Charge $5 at the door.
5. Approach the president or Dean of your college or university, tell him or her of your plans, and ask for help.
6. Check the telephone directory for civil rights organiztions and other topical directories for names of organizations which might be interested. These directories of solidarity organizations, peace groups, development organizations, study groups and resource centers can be found in public and university library reference rooms.
7. Ask your old high school administration, teachers, or alumni to make a donation. You might offer to guest teach for a a day or so when you come back.
8. Offer to take, develop, print and frame a photo from the region you will visit in return for a donation.
9. Organize a tag sale or community auction. Get people to donate items from their attics, garages, and storage closets and sell/auction them.
10. Find out if the companies for which you or your parents (or uncles and aunts) work will sponsor you.
11. Send personal letters to ten friends of your family asking them to contribute to your fundraising effort. Follow up with phone calls.
12. Put a little classified ad in a local newspaper asking for $5 to $25 contributions.
13. Get some musician friends to put on a benefit concert.
14. As you develop other creative ideas, please share them with us. Good luck in your efforts.
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