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Home > Programs > International
Trips > Fundraising Ideas
Fundraising for a Two Wheel View program is a great way
to create community buy-in for your trip, as well as a
way to make your dream of international bike travel become
a reality.
Most people fundraise some if not all of the program fee
which helps sponsor young people for future trips.
Participants on the Program fundraise through various
sources. You will find information in this document to
help make your fundraising experience both fun and effective.
Please feel free to contact
us at any time with questions about your fundraising
adventure!
Step 1 - Make a list of everyone you know.
You might be surprised at the number of friends and family,
acquaintances and colleagues who are willing to support
your fundraising efforts.
Step 2 - Choose and implement more than one method
of fundraising.
We always encourage participants to write fundraising
letters to their personal contacts; it's also a good idea
to find alternative options for raising funds. Ask community
businesses, churches, or college clubs to sponsor you.
Maybe give a presentation to a service club (i.e. Rotary,
Jaycees, Lions, etc.). Even hosting social events like
car washes, garage sales or raffles can raise enough funds
to sponsor, at least partially, your trip abroad.
Step 3 - Set a timeline and go for it!
It is important to plan well in advance. Start with your
fundraising goal and work backward. Leave yourself plenty
of time so your fundraising experience can be a successful
and enjoyable one.
Fundraising Strategies
1. Writing a Fundraising Letter
Successful fundraising letters are concise. Make sure
to convey a sense of urgency, explain how the reader's
donation will make an impact, and ask for a specific, individualized
dollar amount. Professional contacts, for example, probably
can contribute a greater amount than those who are still
students or work in the nonprofit sector. And don't be
afraid to ask your more established contacts for $100,
$200 or even $500!
Mention that you will host a small open house before your
departure to recognize the generosity of your donors and
thank them for their contributions publicly. Offer to present
a slide show or lecture upon your return. Using creative
fundraising strategies like these helps to secure funding
from contacts at religious organizations, civic groups,
alumni associations and educational institutions.
Also make sure to explain that money donated to Two Wheel
View and earmarked for your Trip is tax deductible. Your
supporters are making a "restricted donation" and
will receive a receipt from Two Wheel View for their contributions.
If you choose to cancel or postpone from your Trip program,
any donations already received from contributors are non-refundable.
(See section: Cancellation
Policy)
Always remember to follow up! You should be on the phone
with the small businesses, civic and religious groups,
and friends and relatives you have contacted to let them
know you really do need their support. One follow-up call
can make the difference between someone writing a check
immediately or pushing your letter to the back burner indefinitely.
A letter-writing campaign is one of the simplest and most
effective fundraising methods you can employ. Send letters
to friends and family, employers and co-workers, clubs
you belong to, churches or temples, local banks, foundations
and charitable organizations in your area. The Rotary,
Lions and Elks Clubs; Junior League; Junior Chamber; and
The United Way are some larger charitable organizations
that may be interested in donating to this cause, as well.
Again, don't forget to mention that all donations to Two
Wheel View are tax deductible. All donors will receive
a receipt for tax-reporting purposes from Two Wheel View.
2. Find Funds from Your School
One major source of funding is your own school. Many school
clubs are allocated a certain amount of funding through
a student activities committee; see if your club is eligible.
Also, many academic departments have discretionary funds
for projects and programs. If your trip can be integrated
into an academic or service-learning course, there may
be funds that can be used for your program.
3. Attract Local Businesses as Sponsors
Local businesses are far more likely to make a contribution
than large corporations. The key is identifying a link
between you, or someone close to you, and the owner of
the business. You may want to approach the business with
a letter first, enclosing all relevant information, and
then follow up with a phone call. Promise to write them
a thank you letter from the country in which you will be
visiting, then let them know you will make some sort of
picture-filled display to display in the business upon
your return home. In this way, you not only are thanking
the business owner for his/her generosity, but also are
providing him/her with free publicity!
4. Collaborate with Service Clubs and Churches
Service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimists;
fraternal organizations such as Elk and Moose Clubs; and
religious groups such as churches and temples are excellent
sources for fundraising. Follow the "who do I know?" principle:
is someone you know a member or the friend of a member?
The best course of action is to contact as many clubs
in your area as possible and ask to give a presentation
to them. Many clubs have breakfast, lunch or dinner meetings;
ask to speak for 15 - 20 minutes during these meetings
to present your request and explain what you will be doing.
This is your chance to sell the program. Remember, you
are not asking for money for a vacation. You are asking
for a donation to participate in a life changing experience
that you can share with your community. Also, let the organization
know that you are willing to come back and show them slides
or a video of your program experience when you return.
After your presentation, write a follow-up letter to thank
them for letting you speak and reiterate your request for
financial support. Be specific about how much you are requesting
and how it will be used, and be sure you are realistic
about the amount you request. A total of $200 - $400 is
probably reasonable.
5. Throw a Successful Fund Raising Event
- Sales - One of the traditional ways to raise money
is through bake sales, candy sales, garage sales.
- Raffles - This works best for groups raising funds.
Here again, use the "who do I know?" principle.
Often groups can get donated items or gift certificates
from local businesses and restaurants, which they then
can use as raffle prizes at a larger event (dances, etc.).
If there are no large items to raffle off, groups can
chip in to purchase a big-ticket item like a bike. As
long as the proceeds are well over the purchase price,
there's nothing wrong with this plan of action!
- Parties, Dances, Music, Etc! - Gatherings like this
can range from formal affairs to simple pizza parties.
Remember your "who do I know?" principle:
do you have a friend in a band? Do you know the owner
of a bar or restaurant? Some simple ideas include having
a band play at a club where you can collect a cover charge
or a percentage of the sales. Or perhaps you can create
a deal with a restaurant to offer an all-you-can-eat
buffet from which the profits are shared. Get creative!
6. Attract the Media
One of the best ways to promote awareness about your upcoming
adventure and raise funds for it is through the local media.
In fact, this is how Two Wheel View has attained most of
its popularity, having had numerous articles published
about our programs in major newspapers and magazines across
the country. Check the News
and Events link for information you can circulate to
publications with which you may be affiliated or familiar
- such as your hometown newspaper, the paper from the town
where you presently reside, alumni magazines, church bulletins,
etc. Having a short piece published anywhere can go a long
way in your quest for funds.
We hope this resource is useful to you. Although we've
provided a few suggestions, it is important to remember
why you are raising the money and what is going to be most
effective for you personally. Be persistent. You might
get a lot of rejections and become discouraged at times,
but there also will be a lot of people who will support
and encourage you. And keep in mind that the staff, board
and volunteers of Two Wheel View are more than willing
to assist you with any part of this process.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CAMPAIGN!
You also may want to check out the following web sites
for further information: http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html http://www.fund-raising.com/ideabank3.html http://www.studyab
The Donation Process
It is essential that you understand how the donation process
works before you start your fundraising efforts. In order
to ensure that donations be earmarked for your participation,
please take a moment to consider the following:
There are different requirements for different forms of
payments.
- Checks: All donations should be made out to "Two
Wheel View" with your name written on the "For/Memo" line.
Make sure you send us the complete mailing address of
the donor.
- Credit Card Donations (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)
can be made online via the "Donate" link or
by calling Two Wheel View. Credit card charges will be
earmarked for your participation. A receipt of the charge
will be sent directly to the cardholder.
- Cash: Two Wheel View will NOT accept cash donations.
Keep a log of all donations received.
Donation
Pledge Form in Adobe PDF format 
As you begin to receive donations, it is important to
keep a running tally of all monies raised.
It is a good idea to send in donations to the Two Wheel
View office periodically so we can credit your account
and send donors their tax receipts.
Send checks to: Two Wheel View
Program Fee Deadlines
Your program fee will be due 60 days before the
scheduled trip date. You may continue fundraising
until the start date of the trip. As you begin to receive
donations, it is important to keep a running tally of
all monies raised. If your donations exceed the total
program fee you may choose to be refunded up to the amount
you paid personally.
Note: If for any reason you cancel or postpone
your program, donations WILL NOT be refunded to the donor.
In the event of a postponement, you may use the donation
money earmarked for your participation for another program
(within 18 months of the postponement). If you decide
to cancel, all donations will be transferred to our Program
Fund.
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