You want to come to the 10th Asian Youth Forum in Vladivostok, Russia 2012, but you lack the funds for travel? Unfortunately we do not supply travel scholarships, so what you need to do is get out into your local community and find fundraising opportunities.
Tips
- Believe in yourself, Yes it is a corny tip, but being positive and upbeat is a more engaging way to raise funds then pleading with a total stranger.
- BE CREATIVE, as its the best way for more funds and publicity.
- Make a plan, Note down all your family, friends and colleagues. Then move onto organisations, community leaders and schools within your area – these are your core audience and are likely to support a young person who aims to go to the AYF to gain skills and knowledge that can be put into a self-run local sustainable development project.
- The Three Steps, Phoning them, then sending a more detailed email and hopefully arranging a face-to-face meeting is the best way to get people within organisations and companies active in your cause.
- Work with others, If your application is successfully and we would like you to join us at the AYF, you may find out about others from your country who have been accepted as well. Working as a team can greatly increase your funding opportunities
Relevant contact groups :
- Your National Airline: Contact them and ask to speak to the head of Public Relations or Corporate Affairs. Show them acceptance email letter from the AYF organisers and explain that by helping you they may generate publicity in your local media. See which is the nearest place they can fly you to through their network. Be careful when choosing a connection country; you may need a transit visa, which can be difficult and time-consuming. If they are not prepared to give you a ticket, ask for the largest discount possible and the haggle.
- Your Family & Close Friends: The most likely to aid you in the efforts, though in small quantities, However this will add up over time.
- Local Businesses: May have community funds to support young people. Talk to the Head of Community/Corporate Affairs and explain what your needs are and if they would be interested to support you and have their image related to a good cause.
- Rotary, Optimists, Scout Troops & other Service Clubs: Approach them politely and ask if you can make a presentation at one of their meetings. In which you explain why you feel its important that you come to the AYF. After your trip, you can give them a second presentation about the whole experience and what you have learned.
- Embassies and UN Agencies: In many developing counties have discretionary funds to support youth participation in events like this. Try to identify which are the most active foundations and organisations operating in your country and try to contact them.
- Government Ministries & Agencies: Especially the Ministers of Youth, Education & Environment. Check if there are any government scholarships or exchange programs available for you. Start with a local representative, usually they are aware of the different resources available.
- Churches, Mosques, Synagogues & Temples: Can easily be approached and asked if they would be willing to support you directly or indirectly, by letting you make an appeal to the community.
- Your School, University or College: Could have some funds to make available for you and are great areas for fundraising opportunities.
- Your Local Media and Newspaper: Might be useful in raising awareness about your initiative: see if you can approach them to create an article about yourself and your project and the other fellow young people you will meet at AYF who are just as active as you. Adding on the end that you are looking for sponsorship for this amazing opportunity. It could even lead to the local media or newspaper sponsoring you, as long as you write articles for them.
- Individual Wealthy People: They’re out there somewhere. Do some local research concerning charity events or concerts finding out if anyone makes any large donations – try to find out their interests and then write a well- crafted letter to them spelling out your intentions.
http://www.fundraising.com/
http://www.justgiving.com/tips
http://www.fundraisingtips.com/
http://www.better-fundraising-ideas.com/
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