Fundraising: advice from the experts

Sarah Massey, from GAP Activity Projects' fundraising team, writes...

"Do you really want to take a gap year but think it will be too costly? Think again, as GAP Activity Projects shows you how to fill the hole in your finances...

Registered charity GAP Activity Projects has been running for over 34 years and has sent over 25,000 volunteers overseas to work on voluntary projects in over 24 countries across the World.

The first step is research, research and budget... Get online and start looking at the different gap year options and what they cost. Consider what you can afford and how much money you could realistically rake together either through work, pooling savings or fundraising. Set an amount and then look at what options fall into this price bracket and decide which one is best for you.

If you're opting for a structured placement with a company or charitable organisation it's worth applying for this as early as possible. By applying early on, not only will you be aware of the amount of money to aim for but you'll also find it easier to fundraise as people are more inclined to donate money if they know it's going to a good, interesting or worthwhile cause.

People raise money for their gap year in a number of ways - they often combine part-time jobs, raid savings accounts, actively fundraise and approach charitable trusts for grants. Decide which combination of ways is best for you and draw up a timeline of actions to help you reach your financial target.

Work

Working is a straightforward way to raise money for your gap year. Whether it’s a Saturday job or a full-time job if time allows, working in a bar, café, office, or factory will provide you with work experience, a reliable income, and allow you to regularly put money aside for your gap year experience.

Savings

Not everyone has savings: if you do, you're in an enviable position. Is a gap year worth spending your savings on? Well, you decide - if you want a great experience, memories and new friends then the answer could be yes. Also a structured gap placement spent volunteering is definitely an investment in your future as it looks great on any CV and gives you a new perspective.

Fundraising

This option needs a bit of imagination and a lot of work and determination. Fundraising takes many different forms with the two most popular being sponsored activities and events. For example, a sponsored skydive or a music concert or fundraising party where you charge people entry.

Start by assessing what your strengths and interests are; if, for example, you enjoy running, why not run a marathon to raise funds for your gap year?

For inspiration, a few tried-and-tested ideas by previous gappers are a sponsored silence (it's a tough one!), a themed party and a quiz night.

Approaching charitable trusts

Charitable trusts exist to make donations to charitable causes - some trusts are willing to give money to people who are volunteering overseas.

Such trusts can be difficult to locate so ask around and use the internet as a research tool. If you are travelling with an organisation with a fundraising department they'll be able to advise you about how best to research and approach them. Why not start in the public library with the Educational Grants Directory or the Directory of Grant Making Trusts?

All trusts have different criteria depending on their focus and interest - some trusts may only fund people in a certain area or of a certain age so investigate this before you get in touch. If the trusts state they don’t fund individuals, don’t waste your stamps!

When sending out information and requests for donations think about how best to present this information - where you are going, what you will be doing and how this will benefit both you and the community you are going to live in. You should be aiming for a clear, well-presented and professional document or booklet possibly with a few pictures. Remember to include information about the organisation you go with and if they're a registered charity it's worth mentioning this. Also detail a breakdown of your costs and talk about any fundraising you have done.

It is also a good idea to offer to write a report on your experience when you return or offer to do a presentation as this will allow them to learn about your experience and see their contribution made a difference.

Examples of other groups or institutions it may be worth contacting include the Lions Club, Rotary Club or Round Table, your school, college or university, and the local companies in your area.

GAP Activity Projects Bursary Scheme

Lastly, if you decide to volunteer overseas with GAP Activity Projects you may be able to get a bursary to help fund your placement. The bursary scheme exists to help those who otherwise would not be able to volunteer overseas and who can prove that financially it would be difficult for them to take up a placement. Amounts awarded vary depending on the individual’s circumstances and all applicants who wish to apply for this must fill out the bursary application form.

James McKenna received a GAP bursary, which enabled him to teach English in a Vietnamese university. James writes...

"I would strongly recommend a gap year to anybody, but especially to students who require a bursary because of their circumstances. Being from a working class family, with both parents retired, I knew this might be my only opportunity to do something like this.

Being a volunteer was amazing. I felt it was a worthwhile experience, not just for me but for the students I taught, many of whom had never been in contact with a natural English-speaking foreigner.

I would say to any young person that this is a chance that should be seized: not only will it help develop your academic and professional career, but it will help you to grow and discover more about life. Without the bursary that I received, I doubt that I would have been able to experience all this.""

Click here >> to read James' story in full.

To find out whether you could be eligible for a bursary from GAP Activity Projects please contact Sarah Massey on 0845 344 7500 or Click here >> to email her.



Name: GAP Activity Projects
Address: 44 Queen's Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4BB
Click here >> to see all placements with GAP Activity Projects
Tel: 0845 344 7500