Fundraising

Fundraising ideas to get you started

The rewards of seeing the world on a Discovery Student Adventure make it well worth the effort of fundraising. Students also tend to find unexpected benefits as they raise funds, like the excitement of uniting their family in a common goal, stronger ties to their home community, and a deep sense of achievement when the hard work has paid off.

To help with the process, we have compiled tools and ideas from the experts—successful student travelers—to fill you with inspiration. Each idea can be customized to your community and personality, so make it your own!

Tools for all types of fundraising

Once you enroll on your adventure, you’ll gain access to our full fundraising website, including interactive tools:

E-card

It's easier than ever to request funds for your journey with E-cards, easy-to-email cards you can send to friends and family with a customized message. Choose from the holiday, birthday, or generic E-card then send the card to as many people as you like. Watch for donations to appear in the My Account section of your Travel Center.

Monthly Calendar of Ideas

From the coldest days of winter to balmy summertime months, we've got great fundraising ideas to fit every season. Upon enrollment, you'll get access to our comprehensive fundraising site in your Travel Center that includes tips and success stories for every month.

Simple Math

The key to successful fund raising is reaching your goal. Think about it this way—reaching your goal is as easy as earning $500 as many times as you need to. If you make $500 five times, you’ll have raised $2,500.

To support you, we’ve broken down all of the ideas in this site to earn a minimum of $500. Take it one $500 step at a time.

Many of these ideas will earn well above $500 with proper planning. Consider this when making your goal. Aim high, but be realistic.

Sample Timeline

To get you started, Discovery Student Adventures has provided a sample timeline. Remember that your results may vary from the examples given below, as the goal noted on each project is just a conservative suggestion. As you can see, this student hopes to earn $1,500 the first month and $500 each subsequent month. Start your sponsorship letters right away because you’ll want to have plenty of time to follow up. While you’re working on your letters, you can plan your other fundraising efforts.

My Discovery Student Adventure Timeline

Month	Description	Goal	Actual $
November	Sponsorship letters	$1,500	$
January	New Year baby-sitting all-nighter	$500	$
March	Basket raffle	$500	$
May	Mother's Day brunch at the park	$500	$
Total		$3,000	$

Ideas that work

Also in the fundraising help site, learn how to create sponsorships, sell items effectively, publicize your cause, and manage all the details of more than 40 fun and profitable events—including the unique Duck Race.

Duck Race

This is an idea for warm weather in locations with a lake, pond, or pool. Order anywhere from 50 to 250 rubber ducks (try orientaltrading.com). Send out invitations for a Bon Voyage party on a Saturday or Sunday. Invite friends, family, teachers, and neighbors, telling them you will have a fundraising party that will include a duck race. Set a price per duck (perhaps $5, with a special if they buy more than one, e.g., 6 for the price of 5). Be sure to let them know what the prizes for first, second, and third place will be (see if you can get some prizes donated from local movie theaters or restaurants).

Number the ducks, and make a chart so you can keep track of who bought what duck. Offer sandwiches or other refreshments for everyone who attends to make it a true party. Once you have sold all of the ducks, have your race, and reward your winners.