Fun and rewarding ways to raise money for your tour

Start fundraising
for your tour!
Fundraising is an excellent way to bond as a group before your tour while also raising money to help cover tour costs.
The key to successful fundraising is starting with a plan and some great ideas. This helpful guide will get you started
on your fundraising efforts, from setting your goal to hosting a fundraising event and keeping students motivated. You can
also find many more helpful resources at eftours.com/fundraising. Download our comprehensive fundraising guides or
watch our webinars, featuring advice and ideas from one of our fundraising experts. Plus, you can get great advice from
your tour consultant, who is supported by a team of fundraising specialists dedicated to helping you meet your goal.

2 Fundraising Ideas
Contents
Pages 4-5: Planning & Preparing

Pages 6-7: Product Sales

Pages 8-9: School & Community Ideas

Pages 10-11: Individual Ideas

Pages 12-13: Grants & Sponsorships

Pages 14-15: Frequently Asked Questions

eftours.com/fundraising 3
 Planning
& Preparing
Fundraising can be easy when youre ready with a plan. These guidelines will help
you get prepared, from holding your first meeting to managing the money your
group raises.

Why fundraise? Set your goal

By making the tour more affordable, you can give more students the The best way to ensure success is to start off by working with your
opportunity to join your tour and have the life-changing experience of students to set a fundraising goal. You may decide to raise money
traveling abroad. Organizing fundraising events is also a great way to to cover a portion of everyones Program Fee or choose a specific
work together toward a common goal. Your group gets to know each expense such as the groups optional excursion to Versailles. Set
other better before the tour, and students benefit from the sense of benchmarks for motivation and make sure to track your progress
pride that comes with financially contributing to their tour. Fundraising visually so everyone can see how far youve come and how close
also teaches students important skills, including organization and you are to hitting your goal. Remember to celebrate when your
cooperation, enhancing the educational value of the entire experience. group reaches a milestone!

Get started Pick a leader

Once you have enrolled a group of travelers, hold a meeting to Determine whos in charge of leading your fundraising efforts
discuss fundraising. Make sure that everyone attends the meeting, and it doesnt necessarily have to be you! You can put parents in
regardless of whether or not they intend to participate. It is important charge of spearheading fundraising events or even pick a student
that everyone understands how the money will be earned and divided. leader. A student may want to lead the effort as a mini business
Discuss the topics in this book at your meeting. project or to be able to cite leadership accomplishments on college
applications. Another option is to form a student fundraising
committee and serve as its advisor.

4 Fundraising Ideas
 Planning & Preparing
Manage your money Motivate your students
Use the following tips to manage funds once your group has started Keep students motivated with regular reminders about what theyre
raising money. working for: an amazing trip to an exciting destination! Watch our
S et expectations by creating a fundraising contract and have Traveling with EF DVD for a taste of the adventure to come. Set
students sign it to ensure students and parents are on the same benchmarks and celebrate successes when those milestones are
page from the start. met. You may also want to schedule regular fundraising meetings
to touch base about what youve accomplished and whats next.
W  henever money is involved, we recommend two people share
the job of handling funds.
Choose the best event for you
K eep track of everything, making sure you know where every
Think about your community and its priorities. What do people
dime comes from. This will help when you divide the fundraising
generally rally around? Maybe its sports, music or art. Tailor your
money later on.
fundraising event to interests likely to generate the most community
K eep all money raised in a dedicated account. Many schools participation. Be strategic about what you plan to do, depending
have a club account you can use to deposit money until you on where you live. For example, if you live in an urban area, it may
need it. Use a group check to withdraw money from this account be more difficult to find a big space to accommodate a large event.
and make a group payment to EF. You can download our group In a more sparsely populated area, door-to-door sales may be too
check form on your group leader website. Record your students challenging because of a lack of access to large volumes of people.
account numbers on a copy of the form to help keep track of
individual payments.

eftours.com/fundraising 5
 Product
Sales Product sales are great fundraisers because they require little planning, and
students can take responsibility right away. You can sell homemade goods or choose
from a number of products that can be bought or donated and then sold for a profit.

glScrip.com Flower sales

Money up front: $0 Money up front: Minimal. (Based on donations from local
How it works: Partner with corporations to purchase gift flower shops and grocery stores that will donate or sell flowers
cards to well-known stores at a discounted rate and sell them at a discount for a good cause.)
at full value. How it works: Sell flowers to fellow students to raise money
for your trip!
Sign up with glscrip.com.
Choose from a large list of companies (including Work with local flower shops or grocery stores for flower
chain stores such as Borders, Home Depot, K-Mart, donations or discounted flowers.
Old Navy and Sears). Student volunteers sell flowers during lunch periods.
C  ollect orders at face value and purchase the gift cards Students purchase flowers with a note to the recipient.
at a 3% to 15% discount keep the difference! Volunteers deliver them to the recipients homerooms on
C heck out similar programs at communitydayevent.com the designated day.
and visitourmall.com. This works well at Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day!
For more information, read our post about Scrip Programs on
EFs blog, Following the Equator, at equator.eftours.com/
fundraising.

6 Fundraising Ideas
 Product Sales
Food sales and concessions gift calendars
Money up front: Varies Money up front: $0 to $200, depending on whether production
How it works: Most concession-stand food is affordable when costs are donated
bought in bulk, which means you can turn a large profit margin. How it works: Sell calendars to your community featuring
Consider these opportunities to run a concession stand: students original artwork.
Contact your athletic boosters to get on the schedule Hold a contest for students to create paintings,
for the concession stand during large sporting events. prints or photographs.
Consider selling an ethnic dish from the region you are Select 12 winners and decide with your students
traveling to and take orders in advance so you arent left which months the works should accompany.
with extra product. Ask a local printing company to cover the cost
Contact nearby universities and minor/major league of production or reduce the rates.
stadiums since many allow fundraising groups to work Give the finished product to students to sell to families
their concessions and share a portion of the profits. and friends! A local art show or general store might
Keep an eye on the community calendar for other events also be interested in helping you sell more.
(flea markets, car shows, county fairs) that you can contact Calendars usually retail between $10 and $15 at stores.
to help run concessions.
For more information, read our post about concession sales
on EFs blog, Following the Equator, at equator.eftours.com/
fundraising.
Want more product sales ideas?
Holiday wreaths, merchandise with your school logo on it or
baked goods are all great products to sell in order to raise
money for your trip. Find a comprehensive list of product
sales ideas at eftours.com/fundraising.

eftours.com/fundraising 7
 School &
Community
Ideas Get your school and community involved! We have ideas ranging from small
school activities to large community events. These events will bring everyone
closer together while also raising money for your tour.

restaurant night SPAGHETTI/THEME DINNER

Money up front: $5 to $20 for advertising Money up front: $0 to $200, depending on how much food,
How it works: Advertise a particular night at a local etc. you can have donated
restaurant, help fill the restaurant with customers and receive How it works: Host a meal through grocery donations to
a percentage of the profits in return. support your trip abroad.
Locate a restaurant in your community that is willing Secure a venue with a kitchen for hosting the dinner.
to participate. Examples include community centers and churches.
Advertise the evening through email campaigns, Check whether or not tables and chairs are available.
flyers and word of mouth. Get donations from area grocers for spaghetti, sauce, bread,
Challenge each traveler to secure a certain number butter, salad, beverages, paper plates, etc. (Its even better
of commitments from supporters to attend your when you can attach a theme that ties in to your destination:
restaurant night. Italian pasta party, French crepe night, Mexican fiesta.)
Be present on your night, greet your guests, tell Publicize your event in the community by reaching out to
them about your goals and travel plans, and have an local newspapers and cable stations.
opportunity for them to make additional donations. Sell tickets at school sporting events, in the lunchroom and
For more information, including an extensive list of restaurants at a table in the main hallway.
that have participated, read our post about restaurant nights Make sure you have enough volunteers to cook and
on EFs blog, Following the Equator, at equator.eftours.com/ serve the meal, based on the number of advance tickets
fundraising. you have sold.
Entertainment never hurtsthink about combining your
dinner with a talent show.

8 Fundraising Ideas
 School & Community Ideas
Flamingo Flocking
The latest craze in the fundraising world is an innovative idea Step 3: Print up instructions to leave with your flock. People
called flamingo flocking. The basic premise is this: Someone need to know what to do when they wake up with a lawn full
pays the group to place a flock of pink plastic flamingos on of flamingos! There should be clear directions regarding who
someone elses lawn. In order to have the flamingos removed, to contact and how to make a donation for removal. Ask for
the recipient can pay a set amount. In addition, they can pay different donation amounts to have the flock removed from the
to send the flamingos along to someone else or they can buy lawn, to purchase insurance ensuring they will not be flocked
insurance to prevent them from being flocked again. again and also to have the power to decide where the flock
will land next! Make sure you are clear that donations are
Step 1: Get your team together. Usually this type of optional and that youll gladly remove the flamingos for free
flocking is done at night, so be sure all the parents if they dont feel like playing the game.
know the flocking schedule.
Step 4: Repeat as necessary!
Step 2: Buy your flamingos! Flamingos are
the most popular, but you could use something
elsesmiley faces, clovers, flags, etc.

Want more school & community ideas?

How about holding a school carnival or planning a community
clean-up? This is just a sample of the many ideas we have for
great group fundraisers. Log on to eftours.com/fundraising
for a complete list.

eftours.com/fundraising 9
 Individual
Ideas These fundraising ideas are perfect for individual travelers raising money on
their own or they can be combined with a group effort for greater impact.

Sell Stock in your trip odd jobs

Money up front: $0 Money up front: $0
How it works: Sell stock in your trip for specific sections How it works: Everyone needs an extra set of hands! Get your
of your travel itinerary in return for donations. name out there and be the one they call.
Break your educational tour into sections, by the half Advertise your services at your other fundraising events. Have
hour, hour, half-day or day. a table of business cards for you and your fellow travelers,
Assign a cost per segment of the tour (i.e. $20/hour). including your contact information and what types of jobs
Describe exactly what you will be doing during that time you are available for (babysitting, painting, yard work).
so your donors can choose what part they want to be Post an ad in the paper detailing your services.
on tour with you. Let people know what you are raising money for and see if
Send a postcard from the segment of the trip they are willing to pay you a more favorable wage for your
describing what the stock bought (i.e., a visit to work knowing it is going toward an educational opportunity.
Notre Dame Cathedral).
For more information, read our post about selling stock in your
trip on EFs blog, Following the Equator, at equator.eftours.com/
fundraising.

10 Fundraising Ideas
 Individual Ideas
internet fundraising
ChipIn and Facebook
Money up front: $0
How it works: Use the Internet to make fundraising accessible and simple. Just like people collect money from friends and
colleagues for charity runs and other causes, fundraising over the Internet is an increasingly common way to solicit donations.
ChipIn allows you to easily collect funds instantly and online through credit card payments. You can also link your ChipIn account
to your Facebook and other accounts.
Set up an account at ChipIn.com.
S end an email through ChipIn to ask friends, family and colleagues to make a donation.
Y ou and your students can track your progress as you collect donations.
A dd the ChipIn application to your Facebook account or link it to your blog or one of the many other popular social networking sites.
U se Facebook not only to link your ChipIn account but also to spread the word. Its most effective with consistent, but considerate,
communication using status updates, messages and notes, as well as tagged photos and videos of your travel destination or group.
T hank supporters publicly with a Facebook wall post. Not only does it give proper recognition, but it serves as a reminder to those
who have not yet donated to take action.

Want more individual ideas?

Individuals can also raise money by selling coupon books or
entering photography, art or essay contests. Find more ideas
in our comprehensive guide at eftours.com/fundraising.

eftours.com/fundraising 11
 Grants &
Sponsorships
Raising money for your tour can extend beyond hosting events or selling products. You and your students may also
apply for grants and sponsorships, either as a group or individually. Local businesses are a great start for seeking
sponsorships. Regional education foundations as well as non-profit organizations are useful sources for grants.

Grant writing Sponsorship letters

Money up front: $0 Money up front: $15 to $25 for stamps and photocopies
How it works: Grants are sums of money that are awarded to ($0 if you send letters by email)
fund a specific activity or organization. They can be difficult to How it works: Send letters to local businesses and service
research, and approval can take time, so its important to plan organizations requesting support.
ahead and have a back-up plan.
Determine who you will write to for support. Start with organizations
Define your goal and mission for traveling with students. that have a vested interest in cultural exchange and organizations
Seek a grantor who supports it. with which you have a long-standing relationship.
Search online for grants that fit your needs and are Focus on two main points when writing your letter:
related to education and travel. For a list of places to - Why is educational travel important?
start, download our Getting Started Fundraising Guide - How will your donors money help?
(PDF) at eftours.com/fundraising.
Take a look at our sponsorship letter template, available
Look for continuing support. Some grants offer repeat funding at eftours.com/fundraising.
or the opportunity to set up a travel fund. Even if it is not
Hand deliver your letters for greater impact or, to reach
mentioned, it is worth asking if the grantor might consider
more people, consider sending them out by email.
matching the funds year to year.
Offer something in return: Display their logo at future
fundraisers or offer advertising space on a group tour T-shirt.
Give thanks. Send a postcard from your travels and/or
invite all donors to a trip presentation upon your return.

12 Fundraising Ideas
 Grants & Sponsorships
Internet fundraising
FirstGiving.com
Money up front: $0
How it works: You must be affiliated with a non-profit organization to set up an account with FirstGiving.com. Start by seeking out a
non-profit to partner with, such as your schools booster club or the local Rotary Club. Then you can set up an account for your own website.
This allows you to collect funds electronically with credit cards. All funds go through the associated non-profit, so they are tax deductible.
P artner with a non-profit in your community in order to set up your account. Visit FirstGiving.com for a list of non-profits
with which to work.
S et up an account at FirstGiving.com.
Send an email through FirstGiving.com to ask friends, family and colleagues to make a donation.
Y ou can track your progress as you collect donations at FirstGiving.com.

Want more grants & sponsorships ideas?

Make sure to watch our fundraising webinar about grants and
letter writing for detailed instructions about the best ways
to seek grants and sponsorships. Just go to eftours.com/
fundraisingwebinars to learn more.

eftours.com/fundraising 13
 Frequently
Asked Questions
Do I really need a specific fundraising goal? My students pay through EFs monthly payment plan. How
Its hard for your group to feel a sense of accomplishment if you are will a fundraising check affect their monthly payments?
constantly just trying to raise as much as you can. Therefore, setting If the fundraising check is at least $125 above the required minimum
goals is strongly recommended. If there is varied financial need among monthly payment, then the remaining automatic payment amounts
your travelers, we suggest asking everyone to stop by individually and will re-adjust to a lesser amount for all remaining payments. For
discuss how much money they need to raise. This keeps a sensitive example: If the regular automatic payment amount that is due is
topic private. Add up everyones fundraising minimums to establish $150 per month and you submit a check for at least $275, the
a base goal. You can monitor your progress as a group. If you have remaining payments will re-adjust to an amount less the $150 per
a large fundraising goal, we suggest breaking your goal into halves, month until the student has paid in full. (If the fundraising check is
thirds or quarters and setting corresponding dates for deadlines. not at least $125 above the required minimum monthly payment,
the difference will be reflected in the final payment rather than in
each monthly payment.)
Where should I deposit the money we earn?
Funds should be deposited in one central location. You can then cut a
group check to EF using the group check form on your group leader Should I evenly split the money raised among all travelers
website. The best option is to deposit funds into a club account at in my group?
your school. This is a trusted central location that allows donors to Evenly splitting the funds is a good method if you feel the fundraising
write checks to the school and exempts you from collecting personal efforts were equally balanced. However, as an incentive, we suggest
checks. If you are unable to use a club account at school, we suggest paying students only for the fundraisers they are involved in. Money
opening a separate checking account with at least one additional made at each fundraiser is divided by the total number of hours
signer. This frees you from always being the one to run to the bank worked by all participating students and paid back out hourly to each
and serves as an extra security measure. Many banks will grant you student for his or her time. This provides a fair opportunity for those
the option to create an alias for your account, which prevents you students who may need more financial assistance to be compensated
from having personal checks made out in your name. for their time while eliminating the risk of students who arent pulling
their weight.

14 Fundraising Ideas
 Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fundraise if my trip is not school-sanctioned? What other guides and resources do you have to help
Your fundraising potential will not be limited if your trip is not me with fundraising?
school-sanctioned. In fact, all groups should spend plenty of time Youll find comprehensive fundraising guides and fundraising
fundraising outside of school and within the community. There are webinars on our website, at eftours.com/fundraising. You can
plenty of other fundraisers happening at school for sports, drama, download information about how to get started as well as about
band and other clubs, so reaching out to the community should be each type of fundraiser, including school events, community events,
an important part of your fundraising efforts. If you are concerned individual ideas and product sales. You will also find a fundraising
about space for hosting events, consider looking at venues such as letter template to use. In addition to these online resources, your
churches, VFW halls, Rotary Clubs or the local YMCA. tour consultant is ready to help answer any questions you have
about fundraising and to offer more ideas. Your tour consultant is
supported by a team of fundraising specialists who are continually
generating new ideas based on feedback from teachers like you.

fundraising success stories

Just ask Candles for cash

Simply asking for support helped EF Group Leader Bessie For Alicia Chapman, a high school science teacher in rural Maine,
Burden of Michigan to raise more than $8,000! it only took one hour of prep time, three weeks of selling a
product and nine students to raise $1,560.
Bessie sent letters seeking donations to community
businesses that she had long-standing relationships Chapman and her students used Yankee Candle Fundraising
with. In exchange for her support over the years, those to sell candles to family, friends and others in the community.
businesses chipped in $6,000 for her groups tour. Bessie Thanks to her fundraising success, more students joined her
also contacted her sororitys foundation and received EF educational tour to Paris and London the following summer.
another $2,245 in support!
Alicias group was successful for two key reasons: They chose
All together, Bessie raised $8,245 for her group simply a product that people in their community looked forward to
by asking! These funds, in addition to her groups other buying and couldnt get otherwise. And the profit margin was
fundraising efforts, took a huge bite out of her students tremendous at 40 percent!
Program Fees.
Alicia said the process was much easier than she would have
Because of all of her fundraising success, Bessie was able imagined before she started. Half of my students have never
to lead a group of 20 travelers to Chinaher schools first left Maine and may never do it again. I cant wait to travel with
EF educational tour! them! she said.

For more information about Yankee Candle Fundraising, visit

yankeefundraising.com.

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eftours.com/fundraising
1-800-637-8222