Fundraising for a Summer Program Abroad for High School Students

Fundraising for a summer program abroad as a high school student can open the door to life-changing experiences, whether it’s through creative fundraising events, engaging the school community or leveraging personal networks to make your dreams a reality.

Fundraising is about bringing together your community to make an investment, financially or otherwise, in your specific idea, goal or project to positively shape the world.

When making donations, people are investing in two things: the person and the project. When fundraising for a summer program abroad, studying abroad or any cause, your mission is to convince potential donors of the power of your purpose and the depth of your interest in it.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

In this guide, we’ll look at:

    Ten Creative Fundraising Ideas to Raise Money

    This list should help you brainstorm creative fundraising ideas for your own fundraiser. Remember, though, that it’s not as much what you do, but how you do it. Stay motivated. Try a few different methods. Have fun!

    1. Run a “service-a-thon” in your local community

    Help out elderly neighbors, volunteer at a youth center, or serve meals at your local homeless shelter. Per hour you serve, friends and family can sponsor you and donate funds that will allow you to do even more community service in another country!

    2. Organize a party, concert, dinner party, or movie screening

    Presidential fundraisers are $1000 a plate (and the food isn’t any good)! Asking for $50 in exchange for some great local cuisine (and a worthy cause) seems much more reasonable.

    3. Make the most of your birthday

    On your birthday, sacrifice a few gift cards and knitted sweaters to ask for cash towards your trip. Showing the selflessness to give up gifts in order to help others will often make people even more generous.

    4. Don’t forget the classics (fundraising events)

    Car washes, bake sales, raffles, and garage sales are a great way to bring people together, have fun, and raise money for your cause.

    5. Create a community service organization at your school

    Get together a group of like-minded students who are also interested in community service based travel. Invite students, lead the group and work together to raise money for a “community service trip fund.”

    Group of students enjoying a boat ride during a cultural immersion program.Panoramic view of a serene coastal landscape at sunset.

    6. Find a part-time job

    Look for part-time work at your local businesses or odd jobs like yard work for your neighbors and a babysitting gig for weekend nights. If you work a job that pays $8/hr for ten hours a week for thirty weeks you’ll have saved $2400, enough to cover the cost of most Rustic service trips!

    Related: Best Online Jobs For Teens

    7. Apply for financial support: Travel & service grants and other financial aid

    Many high schools and towns have scholarships set aside for community service and travel financial assistance. Also check out websites that offer grants and funding to service-oriented high school students.

    8. Log-in and start an online fundraiser

    Use websites like fundmytravel.com, indiegogo.com, fund-raising.com and gofundme.com to organize and simplify your fundraising effort. Include photos and a heartfelt note in your campaign explanation and then share your campaign link via email and social media channels.

    9. Get moving with sports & physical activities

    If you like to run, bike, play soccer, or shoot hoops, put those efforts towards a good cause. Ask your friends or family to pledge $1 for every mile you run in a marathon, $1 for every goal you score this season in soccer, 25 cents for every point scored on the basketball court, and so on. This keeps you motivated to do well in your physical activities and people like it when sports serve a higher cause.

    10. Start a letter writing campaign

    Start by creating a mailing list of everyone you think might be willing to donate. Then, draft a standard letter or a link to your fundraising page and personalize it to each potential donor. Make sure to include a self-addressed return envelope! Don’t forget to thank the people who donated or helped you with your efforts.


    Four Basic Keys To Bump Up Your Fundraising Efforts

    The four basic keys to bumping up your fundraising are setting a goal, don’t be afraid to ask, be enthusiastic and know your stuff. Doing these four things can make all the difference between a successful and unsuccessful fundraiser. Here’s more:

    1. Set a goal

    Begin your efforts with a fundraising goal in mind. How much money do you need to raise for program fees for your summer or study abroad program? By when do you need to raise it? What are your most effective fundraising networks? Take an hour to sit down and make an action plan moving forward.

    2. Don’t be afraid to ask

    If you believe in what you’re doing, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Pursue every reasonable lead and contact that you come across. Remember that fortune favors the bold; you’ll never get something you don’t ask for!

    3. Be enthusiastic

    You should be proud of the great work you want to do; let it show! Stay positive and motivated as you work towards your goal. Speak from the heart in letters and presentations. Make eye contact when speaking with potential donors and find a way to show them just how exciting this opportunity really is.

    4. Know your stuff

    Make sure you know as much as you can about the area you’re visiting and what you’ll be doing there. Taking time to educate yourself about the project will show donors how committed you are to your work.

    Five Steps To An Effective Letter Or Email to Raise Funds

    Writing an effective letter or email to aid your fundraising efforts uses the same key concepts of effective communication. We told you that ‘just asking’ was one of the four basic keys of fundraising. That’s true, but it really helps to ask the right way raising money. Here are five essential steps to raise funds for your trip as a high school student:

    1. Make it personal

    Try to make a connection with the potential donor (i.e. “My father told me last year you visited a struggling community in Costa Rica with your church…”).

    2. Keep it simple

    The shorter the letter, the more likely the potential donor will read the whole thing. Use clear, simple language so it sounds natural and from the heart.

    3. Talk about the problems

    Appealing to the ‘right brain’ by giving facts, stats, and numbers is helpful, but don’t forget the majority of people are moved by personal stories. Find out more about someone you’ll be helping on your trip and tell a short, relevant story about him or her.

    4. Explain your goals

    Emphasize the importance of what you’ll accomplish and learn. Be sure to tell the potential donor why you’re interested in the particular problem you’re trying to address (“I have developed a passion for environmental conservation over the past year…”).

    Also mention how you plan to move forward after your trip (i.e. After I return to the States from Thailand with firsthand knowledge of the issues, I plan to…).

    5. Ask for help

    Tell the donor what they can do to contribute and don’t be afraid to ask for a specific amount!

    Potential Donor Checklist: Family and Community Members

    • Your extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents)
    • Family friends (ask your parents’ friends, parents, grandparents, or other family members for their holiday card lists)
    • Members of your church, congregation, synagogue, mosque, or other religious group
    • Professional acquaintances of your parents or family members (co-workers, clients, suppliers)
    • Members of any social, charitable, or professional organization, to which your parents or family members belong (PTA, Rotary Club, country club, sports team)

    In the upcoming months, you’ll need to dig deep, work hard, and take advantage of every opportunity to raise funds. Don’t get discouraged by the big number you need to raise. Have no doubt, it is going to be tough, but determination is the most common characteristic of any person who’s ever achieved something great.

    Close-up of a panda resting on a tree branch in a dense forest.

    Sample Letters to Help Raise Funds

    EXAMPLE LETTER 1

    Dear Mrs. Baker,

    My mother, Sally Jones, gave me your email address and suggested I contact you about a life-changing opportunity I’m hoping to take part in this summer. She mentioned that your son, Daniel, spent two weeks rebuilding homes for local communities in El Salvador last spring. My mother said Daniel really benefitted from his volunteer abroad experience and I’m now asking for your help so I can have a similar opportunity.

    This fall in my social studies class we learned about the horrible circumstances that have forced hundreds of thousands of Burmese people to live as stateless refugees along the Burma-Thailand border. I was touched and saddened by the situation, but also encouraged to get involved.

    I recently found out about an organization called Rustic Pathways that deals with these same issues. In 2001 the company’s founder opened The Hill Tribe Children’s Home in Northern Thailand. Through summer service trips and a year-round presence funded by the Rustic Pathways Foundation, the company aims to feed, house, educate, and inspire the children they care for.

    After hearing about these projects there was no way I could spend my summer doing anything else. That’s why I’m turning to friends like you to help make this dream possible. I’ve already raised $500 through fundraising. Today I write to you to ask for an investment in me, my future, and the futures of the underprivileged students of the Hill Tribe Children’s Home who I hope to help.

    I’ve started a fundraising page at GoFundMe and I was hoping you’d support me on my mission. I truly believe this experience will change my life, but this change won’t be possible without the generosity of people like you.

    Thank you so much for your consideration. All my best to the rest of the family!

    Sincerely,

    Molly Wilson

    EXAMPLE LETTER 2

    Dear Mr. Williams,

    My older brother reminded me the other day that you’re an active philanthropist in urban education. I admire the work you’ve done to help improve the education of underprivileged students in Boston and I’m hoping that my own service work this summer interests you.

    Last spring break I went on a trip to help rebuild a struggling neighborhood in New Orleans. This experience changed my perspective on the world and helped me realize I want to make community service a major part of my life. Just as I began trying to find a way to continue service work this summer a friend told me about a program through Rustic Pathways that combines three of my major passions in life—community service, soccer, and Spanish language.

    After doing some research I found out about this dream trip for me called “Soccer and Service” in La Paz, Costa Rica. I hope to visit La Paz through Rustic Pathways with fifteen other high school students for a nine-day period in June. During my stay I’ll immerse myself in the language by staying with a local host family, playing soccer with the village team, and most importantly, serving the community by working in a rural elementary school and on a local farm.

    This trip will change my life and impact the community of La Paz. In order to achieve this, I must first raise sufficient funds.

    Mr. Williams, I’d love to have a chance to speak to you in person about my trip and our shared passion for community service. Please contact me if this is possible, if you have questions, or want to know how to help me reach my goal.

    Thanks so much and I hope to hear from you soon!

    All the best,

    Craig Fitzgerald

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How far in advance should I start fundraising?

    Start 8 to 12 weeks before your program deadline. This gives you time to plan events, send letters, follow up, and process donations without stress.

    How do I set a realistic fundraising goal?

    Create a simple budget that lists program fees, flights, insurance, visa, and gear. Subtract any savings, scholarships, or financial aid, then set a clear target with a date.

    What are the most effective fundraising methods for high school students?

    Use a mix of personal letters or emails, small community events, online campaigns, and part-time work. Combine these with matching gifts and school or faith community mini-grants.

    Who should I ask to donate?

    Start with family, close friends, teachers, coaches, and neighbors. Expand to clubs, faith groups, local businesses, and service organizations like Rotary or Lions.

    How do I write a strong fundraising letter or email?

    Keep it to one page, share a short personal story, state your goal and deadline, and ask for a specific amount. Include a simple way to give and thank donors promptly.

    How much should I ask each donor to give?

    Offer tiers such as 25, 50, 100, and 250 so donors can choose. Explain what each amount helps cover so the gift feels concrete and meaningful.

    Can donations be tax deductible?

    Gifts to individuals are usually not tax deductible. If you need tax receipts, work with a school, club, or approved nonprofit that can accept funds and issue acknowledgments.

    Which online fundraising platforms should I consider?

    Choose a reputable platform that is easy to use and transparent about fees. Expect payment processing fees per transaction and review current rates before you launch.

    How do I involve local businesses?

    Ask for small sponsorships, gift cards, or in-kind items for raffles or auctions. Provide a one-page proposal, your goal, event date, and how their support will be recognized.

    What about school rules and permissions?

    Check your school’s policies before fundraising on campus or using the school name. Get approvals for events, facility use, and any communications to parents or students.

    How do I keep donors updated?

    Share short progress updates every one to two weeks with a total raised and next steps. After the trip, send photos and a brief report that shows impact and thanks supporters.

    How do I track donations and send thank yous?

    Use a simple spreadsheet with names, amounts, dates, and contact info. Send thank you messages within 48 hours and a summary update when you hit milestones.

    What if I do not reach my full goal?

    Adjust your timeline, add a new event, or increase part-time hours. Tell donors how you are closing the gap and explore scholarships or financial aid with your program provider.

    Are raffles and auctions allowed?

    Rules vary by location. Check local laws and school policies before running raffles, drawings, or games of chance.

    How can I connect fundraising to community service?

    Offer service in your neighborhood that aligns with your trip’s purpose and invite sponsors to pledge per hour or per project. This shows commitment and builds trust.

    What safety tips should I follow when fundraising online?

    Share only necessary personal information, use platform privacy settings, and keep communication through official channels. Involve a parent or guardian in account setup and withdrawals.