a

global community development program for undergraduates oered by Northwestern University

Fundraising Toolkit
Dear Student, We have seen this program make a substantial impact on students and communities and hope to help make it possible for you. Many past GESI participants have successfully fundraised to cover all or part of the program costs. This fundraising toolkit was created to help you in these fundraising goals. Fundraising is a lot of work, but dont be daunted. With a solid plan and a little persistence, your fundraising goal can be accomplished! Good luck and please let us know how we can help! -The GESI Team GESI Fundraising Checklist:
Set fundraising goals (page 2) Develop a list of potential donors (page 3) Write a fundraising letter (page 4) Explore corporate matching programs (page 5) Contact your university for funding (page 5) Apply for scholarships/fellowships (pages 6-8) Create an online fundraising site (page 9) Host a fundraising event (page 9)

Global Engagement Studies Institute c/o Center for Global Engagement Northwestern University

620 Library Place Evanston, IL 60208 Phone: 847.491.5932

Email: gesi@northwestern.edu

www.gesi.northwestern.edu

Getting Started
Information for Donors:
As part of Northwestern University, GESI is a 501(c)3 non- prot organization which means donations are tax-deductible. In order to receive forms for taxes, your donor must give the money directly to GESI. In this situation .07% would be deducted from the donation. They can either:
1. Write a Check to Northwestern University, specify in the memo line:

GESI, Gift for: (Student Name), Student ID*

2. Donate online (http://nualumni.org/donate). In My Designation the donor should mark:

GESI, Gift for: (Student Name), Student ID*

*For Northwestern students, this number can be found on your Wildcard. Non-Northwestern students will be given a Northwestern ID upon enrolling in the program--just ask, and we can provide you with this number.

GESI Cost Breakdown:

The cost of GESI is $7,500 Fees include: Tuition for two Northwestern courses Lodging and three meals per day in Chicago and in-country Country programming, orientation, homestay, language instruction, and work transportation stipend Access to International SOS, the worlds leading international healthcare, medical assistance, and security services company 24/7 on-the-ground support for health, safety, and other issues Fees DO NOT include: Travel to and from Chicago and host country HTH Health Insurance (required; approximately $70 for the entire program duration)

Setting Fundraising Goals:

Set a goal for how much money you want to raise, and create a fundraising spreadsheet so that you can track progress toward your goals along with upcoming deadlines. Here is an example of one such spreadsheet:
Fundraising Event Le7er Wri9ng Campaign Grant Fundraising Total An0cipated Outcome $1000 $1500 $3500 Actual Outcome So Far $550 $1500 $2050

Getting Started
Potential Donors:
Make a list of all the potential donors you should contact. Remember that anyone you know is a potential donor; no one will give unless you ask them. Many past GESI students have asked friends and relatives for donations toward their program fee in lieu of birthday or holiday gifts. Consider asking: Personal Contacts Family Personal Friends Friends of your parents Organizations Religious Organizations Civic Groups Service Clubs Alumni Associations Since its founding GESI has: Hosted nearly 200 undergraduates from over 40 colleges and universities Grown from a single site in Uganda to 6 sites in Bolivia, Dominican Republic, India, Nicaragua, South Africa and Uganda

Your University Your University may be the best place to ask for money. There is more about this on page 5 of this toolkit. When speaking with organizations ask if you can make a presentation at one of their meetings. Describe the GESI program and what you will be doing. You should also offer to give a presentation about the trip and what you learned upon your return. Make sure to ask for a specic amount based on what you anticipate people will be able to give. Your peers might only be able to donate $10, whereas friends of your parents might donate more, and a university could give even more. Tailor your fundraising efforts so that no one feels overwhelmed by your request. Another idea is to ask for a friend or family members unused frequent ier miles in order to buy your ight. Please note that if you opt to use frequent ier miles, you will not be able to have the GESI group ight rate, and you must notify GESI no later than March 20th.

Fundraising Letter
Fundraising Letter:
A fundraising letter is very important and something that is worth putting time and thought into developing. In this letter you should explain the GESI program and reect on how it will impact both you and the community where you will be working. Keep the letter short, simple, and heartfelt Target your audience

Example Letter:
The example below is a good start, but it is important to personalize your letter, so that potential donors can really see how GESI will impact you.
Dear [donor name], I hope all is well! As I might have mentioned,I am traveling abroad this summer with Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI). GESI is a program at Northwestern University that prepares undergraduate students with the knowledge, tools and experiences to confront shared global challenges. Through international service learning, students work with grassroots organizations and communities in the developing world to advance sustainable, community-driven change. Each summer, GESI hosts approximately 70 undergraduates from across colleges and universities. Students spend their summers in one of 6 locations (Bolivia, Dominican Republic, India, Nicaragua, South Africa, or Uganda), and work in issues ranging from global health to education to social entrepreneurship and more to develop small-scale development projects that benet local communities. This summer, I will be traveling to [country name], living with a homestay family, and working with a team of peers and local leaders to create a small-scale development project. [write a paragraph or two about how the trip will impact you--consider your personal, professional and academic goals] The summer will cost me $7,500, in addition to airfare. Im already hard at work to raise this money, but I can't do it alone; I am hoping that you will consider supporting my GESI experience. I know these are tough nancial times, but I'm sincerely grateful for any tax-deductible donation you can make. Heres how to donate:

Write a Check to Northwestern University, specify in the memo line:

GESI, Gift for: Your Name, enter your Northwestern ID (non-NU students, see note on page 2)

Donate online: http://nualumni.org/donate. In My Designation mark:

GESI, Gift for: Your Name, enter your Northwestern ID (non-NU students, see note on page 2) Thank you for supporting my participation in this incredible opportunity. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, [Your name]

Companies & Universities

Matching Gift Programs:
Many companies have matching gift programs which allow for you to double the amount of money you raise through company sponsorship. Check to see if the company a family member works for has this type of program. If the company does offer this program, obtain the gift form from the Human Resources department and follow their instructions to apply for a matching gift program. Even if you have no connection to a company that offers matching gift programs, sometimes opportunities are advertised online or in the newspaper, especially around the holidays. Be on the lookout for matching gift programs for those not afliated with the company. Applying for a matching gift program can make donors more likely to donate since their donation will be doubled, and can make the fundraising process much quicker.

University Funding:
Northwestern students (particularly juniors and seniors) Summer Grant Assistance through the Ofce of Undergraduate Financial Aid: Be aware that summer grant assistance is need-based and very limited. Not all students qualify, even those who demonstrate nancial need. Some students may be offered loans instead of grant, or a mixture of both. For more information, please contact Mike Frechette (m-frechette@northwestern.edu), Senior Assistant Director of Study Abroad Financial Services. Additional information about summer nancial aid-including policies and application procedures-can also be found on the nancial aid website at: http://ug-naid.northwestern.edu/topics/current/ summer_session_aid.html. Options for Non-NU Students Students need to check with their own home Financial Aid ofces to determine their eligibility for Financial Aid. We encourage students to begin these conversations as early as possible, and we are happy to supply any documentation or written materials needed. In the past, some students have used their GESI course credit to allow them to graduate early or be part-time students during the nal quarter/semester at their home institution.

Scholarships & Fellowships

The following is a list of funding opportunities--many of which past GESI participants have successfully been awarded. Deadlines come quickly. If you know you need to apply to scholarships, we encourage you to check scholarship deadlines as soon as possible Please be sure to verify the deadlines and eligibility on each scholarships individual website, since these are subject to change. GESI Scholarship http://www.gesi.northwestern.edu/nancial-aid-scholarships/ Description: This scholarship exists to give qualied Northwestern undergraduates the opportunity to gain international and community development experience, regardless of nancial constraints. Deadline: Submit with Application: There are no added steps to apply for GESI scholarshipsjust complete the regular application including the brief scholarship essay question, and we will consider NU students for a scholarship. Eligibility: Northwestern Student with nancial need. Average Amount: Award amounts vary and are based on nancial need, essay quality, and academic merit. If scholarship awards do not meet a students full need, GESI may work with the student and NUs Financial Aid Ofce to help provide the student with a loan. Please note that we may adjust the amount of your scholarship based on any external scholarship funds you may receive. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships http://iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-program Description:This award provides study abroad scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at their college or university. If you are a Northwestern student interested in applying for the Gilman Scholarship, please contact us before submitting an application. Deadline:March 7, 2012 Eligibility:U.S. citizen receiving Federal Pell Grant; enrolled in credit-bearing program (like GESI); at least 4 weeks studying abroad; cannot be traveling to country on State Department travel warning list. Average amount:$3,000 Boren Scholarships http://www.borenawards.org/ Description:Study abroad scholarships focused on countries outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Deadline:February 9, 2012 Eligibility:U.S. citizen; applying to a study abroad program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Average amount:Covers costs associated with your study abroad program, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, insurance, local transportation, and round-trip airfare on a U.S. carrier.
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Scholarships & Fellowships

Diversity Network Summer Scholarship http://www.diversitynetwork.org/scholarships Description:Provides scholarships toward travel costs for summer study abroad Deadline:April 11, 2012 Eligibility:Awards given to economically disadvantaged students, rst generation college students, African-American/Black, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Multiracial/ethnic or Indigenous/ Native-American students; applicants must attend a Diversity Networkmember institution; minimum 3.0 GPA; must complete weekly blog. Average amount:$750 Fund for Education Abroad http://www.fundforeducationabroad.com/applicants/scholarships/ Description:Provides scholarships (up to $10,000) for students studying abroad; preference is given to students traveling to non-traditional destinations and to students participating in programs with a sustainable service-learning component (GESI students, thats you!). Deadline:November 14, 2011 Eligibility:U.S. citizenship or permanent resident; undergraduate; studying abroad for at least 4 weeks. Average amount:up to $10,000 GO! Overseas Study Abroad Scholarships http://www.go-study-abroad.com/go-study-abroad-scholarship Description:Study abroad scholarships awarded based on the quality and creativity of writing samples and/or video submissions. Deadline:September 15, 2011 Eligibility:Must submit essay application and/or video samples; pre-departure and post-return interview required. Average amount:$1,000 LIVFund Scholarships http://www.livfund.org/ Description:Scholarships for students interning, learning, or volunteering abroad in various Latin American countries including Bolivia and Nicaragua. Deadline:6 months prior to departure Eligibility:Over 18, studying abroad in Latin America; must complete three blog entries. Average amount:$500 Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants http://www.phikappaphi.org/Web/Awards/Study_Abroad.html Description:Scholarships awarded to both members and non-members for study abroad experiences that relate directly to a students academic preparation, potential career choice, or commitment to the welfare of others. Deadline:April 2012 Eligibility:3.5 GPA Average amount:$1,000

Scholarships & Fellowships

Rotary Foundation Scholarships http://www.rotary.org/en/ StudentsAndYouth/ EducationalPrograms/ AmbassadorialScholarships/Pages/ ridefault.aspx Description:The Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the worlds largest privately-funded international scholarships program providing more than 500 scholarships every year. More information:Contact your local Rotary District club Saras Wish Scholarship Fund http://www.saraswish.org/ international_travel.htm Description:Study abroad scholarships awarded to young women who are committed to making the world a better place by fully participating in it. Deadline:Reviewed October through January Eligibility:Young woman with a commitment to public service, history of leadership, and strong record of scholarship; sincere interest in the work of Saras Wish Foundation and willingness to join with Saras Wish Foundation in its ongoing efforts to improve safety awareness. Average amount:$1,000 Study Abroad.com http://www.studyabroad.com/scholarships.aspx A list of scholarship opportunities for study abroad. Study Abroad Funding http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/ A database of scholarships for study abroad and internship abroad experiences. College Scholarships http://www.college-scholarships.com/free_scholarship_searches.htm A database linking to more than 40 college scholarship search sites.

Online & Event Fundraisers

Online Fundraising:
An online home to your fundraising efforts can be benecial. It can be helpful to create a personalized fundraising web page through Razoo, Give Forward, or another similar platform, and publicize it widely (facebook, twitter, personal emails, etc.). Near holidays or your birthday, you might consider asking friends and relatives to donate toward your summer program in lieu of other gifts. On your fundraising page, you should post a version of your fundraising letter, information and links about GESI, pictures, and anything else you think is relevant for donors. Look through the websites mentioned above to nd examples of success stories!

Fundraising Events:
A fundraising event is great way to raise money for your GESI experience while also telling people about what you will be doing this summer. Planning an event can take a lot of work, so it is important to make sure the outputs will be worthwhile after monetary and time costs. Some event ideas are: Rafes Bake Sale Craft Sale Concert Marathons Sports Tournaments Movie Nights Trivia Nights Steps to plan a successful event: Decide the type of event you want to have by deciding what will be the most cost effective. Secure a date and a location. Be sure the date you choose gives you enough time to plan. Seek donations for the goods and prizes you need. In order to do this, you should write a letter (similar to your fundraising letter) asking for the item you need. Then, go into the store or restaurant and ask to speak to the manager. Explain the event youre having and what it benets, then leave them with the letter and a way to contact you. Advertise the event on facebook, listservs, newspapers, and on bulletin boards. Prepare all of your materials in advance. Host the event! Make sure you talk to as many people as you can at the event! Send a letter thanking participants, letting them know how much money you made and where further donations can be sent! Consider partnering with other GESI students to host an event together.

As you are making progress toward your fundraising goals, be sure to thank everyone who donates! Keep in touch with them during and after your GESI summer so they can see how their donation impacts you and the community where you will be working!

Good luck!