Scholar Laureate – Delegations For Career Exploration

 
FUNDRAISING HOME
GET STARTED
SEEK SUPPORT

• Sponsors in Your Community
• Reach Out
• Write a Sponsorship Request
• Tips on Asking For Support

IDEAS & TOOLS
AFTER YOU RETURN HOME
DOWNLOADS

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In going to outside sources to fundraise, try your best to:

• Start as early as possible.

• First reach out to companies and organizations where you (or your family) have long-standing ties or that you frequent regularly.

• Do your homework and target companies and organizations with a history of being supportive of community endeavors.

• Set sponsorship levels where they can choose the level on which they wish to support you (e.g., Bronze $25; Silver $50 or Gold $100).

• Try to find the proper contact within the company or organization before you visit or write.

• Set aside time to do personal follow-ups to your letters.

• Be ready to speak positively about yourself and ISLP should you be asked to come to a meeting to make your case as to why a business or organization should fund your attendance.

• Work to get publicity for your efforts by contacting the community paper in your area.

• Make your request clear and concise so they understand exactly what you are seeking.

• In order to pay for your airfare to and from the Program, focus on companies or individuals who acquire a lot of frequent flier miles and ask them to contribute some to you.

• Follow up your letters or visits with phone calls.

• Keep a list of everyone you contact to avoid duplication.

• Recognize what kind of approach works and what doesn't for future reference.

• Keep in touch with sponsors to keep them apprised of how you are doing in meeting your fundraising goal.

• Send "Thank You" notes to all individuals with whom you touch base – whether or not they contributed to your effort. They took the time to meet with you, read your letter, or took some action to help you. They deserve acknowledgment and thanks.

Also understand:

• Don't get discouraged. You are going to be turned down more than you will succeed.

• Don't promise something in return for a contribution that you can't deliver.

Potential sponsors may want to know how they will benefit from helping you. Inform sponsors that they will receive positive publicity when you include a reference to their sponsorship in your press release to the local media. You might offer to give a presentation or a slideshow about your experience upon your return.

Make it easy for sponsors to help you by requesting smaller donations. Most potential sponsors would rather give you a small donation than deny your request. You will be amazed by how quickly donations add up! Keep in mind that their sponsorship is not tax-deductible and should not be represented as a tax-deductible gift.

Use our Office of Admissions as a reference for questions you cannot answer. Encourage sponsors to visit the web site or suggest that they contact us for further information.

The International Scholar Laureate Program is a for-profit organization, thus contributions made for a specific person (in this case you) do not qualify as tax-deductible according to the rules of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).