Fundraising - can I get a little help?

Hey Digi Point people.
I've got a chance to go overseas to Isreal. I've never left America before and I want to go, but I need financial assistance. I won't post a direct link to my support page because I don't know if that would break the TOS, but if anyone would like to support me pm me and I'll send you the link where you can give online towards my trip.

Thank you so much!

 

You could always put it in your signature. I hope this doesn't come off as offensive - I've seen DP'ers become generous in the case of natural disasters, but I'm not sure how much support you'll get for taking a trip. You might consider offering services in Buy and Sell to raise money.

 

Start a kickstarter and get your friends to chip in. Might work better than doing something on DP.

 

Thanks for the advice! I'll do the signature and offer to sell services in that section of dp.

 

Mailing/emailing a letter to your friends and relatives would probably do a better job. Asking total strangers for money hardly ever does the job. But at least you can say you tried.

 

I've contacted my friends and family, but it's such a large amount I'm looking to all the communities I'm a part of. I am taking anothers advice and posting in the services section to do a web and mobile design package. Thanks for the advice!

 

Andrew, I went to your donation page and I have an idea! I *think* this will work, but it will take a little effort. All you have written is, "I have a once in a life time opportunity to go on a tour in Israel. To walk where Jesus walked, strengthening my faith and making the bible more real to me."

You really need to expand on that, I would say a minimum of 1000 words. If you don't feel comfortable writing it, get someone to help you. I would suggest to talk about your faith, how you became a Christian, exactly why the trip is important...etc. Another thing, that video you have is just a generic tourism video. You're asking people to give you money, they like to see a face. I would have someone videotape you talking, you can post it to all the video sites with a link back to your donation page.

Are you going to a church? If you are, speak with your congregation. Individual members may be able to donate, and it could really add up. If for some reason that's not enough, you can work within your denomination. For example, if you were a Baptist - send an email out to every Baptist church in your area. Be very verbal with a long detailed letter about what this means to you.

Also, offer something. Get on the websites of churches in your area and write the contact. Tell them what you want to do, but perhaps offer a videotape of your trip with their church listed as a sponsor. They could post the video on their website. Just a few thoughts...

 

Can I like your post twice? Just fantastic advice!

 

Thanks. Good luck to you, I hope you reach your goal.

 

I see it's still at "0" on your donation page. Have you been able to make anything otherwise?

 

If you want donations from strangers, you will have to help them with the inevitable WIIFM (What's In It For Me?) questions. People make donations to worthy causes to feel good about themselves. That is why money pours in when a natural or other type of disaster occurs. That is why hospitals and charities raise a lot of funds. However, you are asking people to donate so that you can go on vacation, basically. Yes, there may be a spiritual element to your trip that may affect you personally, but that is not a very compelling story. In fact, you come across as someone who is simply looking for a free ride and hoping that money will fall out of the sky because you are excited by the opportunity that presented itself to you. You may not see it this way, but your request comes off as selfish and immature.

How about turning such a trip into a "working" vacation in which you will do something to help the poor or the ill or some other worthwhile cause? What could you bring to or do for the less fortunate in that part of the world? If you turn the purpose of the trip from being all about you to supporting a worthwhile cause that will resonate with people, you might actually get there.