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This is ARCHIVE material
Fund raising is the only way we can make our exchange link ups a reality.
Every participant will need to raise funds to take part in an exchange. This will cover our air fares, accommodation, internal travel and food. It sometimes sounds an impossible amount but with some consistent work and a little imagination it is perfectly possible.
You might be able to raise all the funding for an exchange in one go, with a non-uniform day at school or college, a benefit, a big raffle a sponsored event, through company sponsorship, celebrity backing or if you are lucky a grant! Lots of people will help with fund raising, fellow students, colleagues, family and friends, if you ask them! They may have some new ideas as well, get them to join in and help you! After all, an exchange is not a holiday, it is an opportunity to learn first hand the truth about another country and challenge misconceptions on your return. Everyone and anyone who believes in making equality count will support you.
These are some tried and tested ideas for fund raising, you might have some better or brand new ones. Be ambitious, plan carefully and pass on your most successful ideas big or small so that everyone can use them. We have to raise an enormous amount for exchange programmes so there’s no time to waste.
Festivals, fetes and benefits can be great fund raisers but need a fair amount of organisation. Plan ahead and get lots of people to help you. Local bands will often do benefits, publicity is key to making these a success so make sure the local press or ‘what’s on’ guide know about it. Auctions and jumble sales require a good central venue and lots of donated items so they need to be planned well in advance. Keep your outlay on these to an absolute minimum or you can end up out of pocket. Other good events have included pub quizzes, non uniform days at schools, car boot sales, cake sales, cabarets, plays, comedy nights and all manner of performances which require selling tickets. You can also organise small local events very quickly especially collecting days at school, college, a local university of a big supermarket or theatre.
What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? What would you like to try? What would other people like to see you try? Ask yourself these questions then draw up a ‘sponsor me’ sheet, ask every one to sponsor you, set a date and do it! Effective sponsored activities have included; swimming, parachuting, walking, fun runs, football, eating, silences, giving up bad habits, kissathons, clubathons, danceathons, singing, cycling, sit ups, rowing, riding, juggling, board games. Virtually anything goes and what a great way to let lots of people know about the Exchange!
These can be a good laugh and a great way to get everyone you know involved in helping to fund raise. There are so many things you can turn into a tournament and not just sporting activities. You need to get lots of people interested, set a date, charge a small participation fee and decide on a prize, either a donated one, a cup or medal or perhaps a proportion of the money you raise from the tournament.
Radio and local newspaper appeals ensure the local community know what you are doing. You will need a short press release, a photo for the press and make sure you have a telephone number you can give out. You can appeal for money directly, or for raffle prizes, or for participants for a sponsored event. You can also ask DJ’s to announce an appeal for the Exchange in local clubs and take a collecting tin around afterwards.
It is often easy to get sponsorship from local companies if you know someone who works there who will be sympathetic. You will need a letter explaining what you are doing and you can show them this education pack. They might want something in return, some public acknowledgement for example, so make sure you inform the London Centre if they expect to feature in national publicity and promotional material.
If we collect thousands of airmiles fast we can pool them and save an enormous amount on the airfares to Brazil. Ask everyone you know to start collecting them for you.
Perhaps you can develop a Youth Exchange ‘product’ to help raise funds but remember you have to raise the outlay to make these to start with. They could include postcards, Xmas cards, calendars, badges, tie pins, posters, mugs, tea shirts, baseball hats, car stickers, scarves, ties, arm bands, even a CD!
Some individuals may be eligible for a grant according to where you live and your home circumstances. Check for details with your school or college and telephone your local council or authority to see if there are any you could apply for.
You may prefer to try and earn your costs. Some supermarkets will allow you to fill shopping bags at check out desks and ask shoppers for a charitable donation in return. Car washing in a large car park can also be lucrative. There is nothing to stop you just saving up if you have a job that makes this a real possibility.