ask a business to help pay for your trip
Having a sponsor to help finance your Work the World trip can relieve a lot of pressure.
On this page you'll find out about:
- Types of sponsor
- How to approach a sponsor
- What to do if they say no
- Alternatives to monetary donations
Types of sponsor
LOCAL BUSINESSES
Businesses in your community, like local solicitors or estate agents, may have an allocation of funds for philanthropy and goodwill. National companies with branches in your town are also likely to be allocated funds as part of their community projects.
LOCAL GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
As with local businesses, local groups, like interest or social groups, may also donate towards your cause or organise some fundraising alongside yours. Remember that every little helps, no matter how big or small the amount is.
CORPORATE SPONSORS
With corporate sponsorship, it’s often about who you know. Call in some favors with contacts at national or even international companies and see if they’re interested in sponsoring your trip as a company.
HOW TO APPROACH A SPONSOR
Here are some top tips to give you the best chance of securing funds:
- Find the best person to contact, it’s much more effective than “Dear Sir/Madam” — a little research goes a long way
- Outline the reasons for your trip, like experiencing healthcare in a low-resource setting, cultural and language exchange, and learning about other disciplines
- Personalize each and include details about why you like their work, any experiences you’ve had there or why you’ve chosen them to approach
- What are they getting in return? Could you write an article for their company newsletter, or come in and give a talk about your experiences? Maybe you could thank them on your blog, or write a case study for your university and mention your sponsors
AND IF THEY SAY NO?
You’ll have to make a few attempts before you find a sponsor — it’s likely that the people you reach out to get requests like this frequently.
You'll almost certainly hear 'no' a lot, but persistence pays off.
And there are still ways to involve those who have said no. You could ask if you could go to their offices with some cakes and do a collection, or invite staff to a pub quiz you’ve organised. Try to think outside the box.
Cash isn’t always king
Often, sponsors will want to know exactly where their money is being used, and so why not cut out the middleman and ask directly for some of the things you need? If you’re approaching a local travel agent for sponsorship, you could ask them to organise your flights for you with a discount. A local luggage store might be able to donate you a suitcase to take on your travels, or a high-street sports retailer might offer you some gear, like walking boots or waterproofs.
If trying to find a sponsor doesn't seem like your thing, why not try hosting a fundraising event, apply for grants and scholarships, or become a master of budgeting to raise the funds for your trip?
