Host Family
States 4-HIEP
Know Before You Go
When You Get Back
Funding Your
Experience

The cost of international travel may seem high, but with the following fund-raising ideas and techniques, an international experience is closer than you think. With a little creative thought and initiative, you can find sponsors in your state and local community who are willing to fund a portion of your program. Your entire community can benefit from your experience as an international traveler, so get them involved!

Getting Started
The hardest part of fund-raising is getting started. First, you need to have a clear idea of the reason why you are participating in the IFYE program. Will the program help you in the career you wish to enter? Do you want to learn about international trade? You must be able to clearly state how you will benefit from your experience. You should also be prepared to tell potential sponsors how they will benefit. Try to tie into their area of interest or geographical location. For example, if you are interested in livestock, go to a feed company. If your placement will provide you the opportunity to study horticulture, ask a local nursery for assistance. Talk to companies that are based in or have branches in the country where you will be going. Local service clubs or civic groups are often willing to help sponsor your program if you agree to present a slide show when you return.

Develop a Plan
Once you have set out your program objectives, sit down with your parents or with your Extension Agent to develop a plan of action. List who you are going to contact, how you can publicize your program, what activities you can put on yourself to raise funds, and so on. The staff at CD International Program Services will help you in any way possible and would like to hear of your fund-raising ideas to share them with others. Throughout your campaigning, keep careful records of everyone you have talked to, what you have done, and how much money each sponsor has donated. A good way to keep track is to make an index card for each contact and activity. You will probably have a large number of sponsors, as a $100 or $200 donation is large for one bank or company. Don't expect to raise the entire amount of money from one or two organizations, and don't be intimidated by the amount of money that you must raise. If you are industrious and creative, little by little, you will obtain the necessary amount. Remember, every little bit helps! 

Whom Do I Contact?

Your 4-H club is the best place to start your fund-raising campaign. They may have money available for a scholarship or be willing to help you raise funds for your experience. There are many activities that you and your club can do: past participants have held raffles (be sure that this is legal in your state), pancake breakfasts, chili/spaghetti suppers, car washes, garage sales, and plant sales. Be creative!! As people become aware of your efforts, you will be surprised at the support your community will provide.You can also approach local businesses, civic groups, church groups, and agribusinesses, to help you fund your trip.

Go In Person

When you begin to look for sponsors, remember that people give money to people. Don't just write letters requesting assistance. Make an appointment and meet with the contact in person. When working with large companies or statewide organizations, try to find someone in your community who can introduce or refer you to the appropriate person. If this fails and you don't know who to contact, call a general number and ask for the name and number of the public or community relations person. Many companies budget money to donate every year to various programs like yours, but they will need time to get your request approved by their board. Therefore, it is important that you start your fund-raising campaign as soon as possible.

If someone agrees to help sponsor your program, have them write a check to the IFYE Alumni Association and list your name in the memo area. You can send the check directly to CD International. Ask your sponsors for slides of their logo to use in your slide presentation when you return. If slides are not available, you can make your own by photographing the organization's name and/or logo.

Say Thank You

Write a thank you note to each sponsor immediately after you receive their check. Be sure to publicly recognize your sponsors; one good way is to write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper thanking them before you leave. Keep in touch with your community while you are abroad by writing monthly newsletters and by sending the newspaper a short article about your program. Sending a post card from your host country during your program will also be appreciated by your sponsors. Finally, after you return, you should visit each sponsor to tell them about your program and personally thank them for their contribution. If you received a large donation, you may want to bring back a gift from your host country and present it to the head of the company organization. You can thank your community for their support by making presentations about your trip to school groups, youth organizations, and civic groups, particularly those who sponsored you. (Don't forget to take slide film on your trip!)

Good Luck!

Fund-raising takes a lot of time and patience, but if you are persistent, you will be successful. Remember, this is the opportunity of a lifetime for you to experience and share with your community. It's time to go!!