1. I simply told others about my trip. Just like with any kind of fundraising, the more people we tell about our endeavors, the more likely we are to get interested people who want to help. If we are passionate about our "mission," others will reflect that passion as well. Without intent to gain anything from my visit, I told a woman at a consigner shop about my plans to travel to India. She donated two of her churidars to me because she wanted to see part of her store in another country, and she knew they would help me on my adventure. Donations outside of monetary funds that can help us in our mission can be just as beneficial!
2. I advertised to organizations around town and to the campus community. Although several organizations were not able to provide funds, they offered services such as advertising. I then had one student organization on campus accept my invitation to create an event night in order to raise funds that would provide books to a school in India. There were two main factors here that drew them in: * This would be an opportunity for them to host an event and connect with a larger cause, and * This particular endeavor related to their organization's mission since they are an English organization (providing books to promote literacy, then, was part of their mission as well). This goes back to our discussion about knowing our target population and thinking about how we can help them (the customer) in the process.
3. I made gift baskets for my family in exchange for funds. Since I had made a pervious travel to India, I had unique gift items that I could put into baskets. Rather than making a big announcement to my family, I wrote up the purpose of my trip, created the baskets, and set them out at a big family gathering. At the end of the night, only a few baskets were left. After a couple weeks, the checks started coming in the mail. Many times we are hesitant to ask family members if they want to support yet another fundraising opportunity. But likely, they do!
Those are just a few ways I was blessed on my journey and was able to help others in return. Good luck on your fundraising adventure, and keep me updated on how you are doing!
