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WORLD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE GAMES
Initiatives of the Institute for International Sport

FUNDRAISING IDEAS FOR THE 2011 WORLD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE GAMES

One key to fundraising is making it fun, but it also takes hard work, diligence, motivation and enthusiasm. And it takes a lot of time, so start early. Don’t rely on your parents. This is something you can do for yourself. Remember that not every idea will work for you; take time to explore different fundraising activities.

One way to get started is to create an informational flyer. You can do this on most computers and the flyer should explain why you are raising money. You can use this flyer for any of the ideas mentioned below, (you may even get a local printer to print it for you at a discount or for free).

Use the Media: Newspaper, Radio, and Television stations
First contact your local newspaper and inform them about your acceptance to the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games. Let them know what this means to you, your family, your school and state/country. Explain to them that you were chosen from a very select group of applicants from across the world to attend this unique event, based on your achievements in academics, community service and your particular activity. Find out if the newspaper would include information about your fundraising efforts in the article and if they would publish a follow-up article listing the names of those individuals, companies and groups who contribute. Be sure to bring this newspaper article with you when you visit with businesses or community groups.

In the Paper

• Tell the public you have been accepted to attend the World Scholar-Athlete Games and explain how excited you are to be selected to represent your country, your community, your school, and your family at this event. Let the public know that you are attempting, through donations, raffles, car washes and pledges, to raise the money to attend this event.
• Provide a contact name and phone number for the public to call if they decide to help you in your journey to the World Scholar-Athlete Games. Teachers, coaches or community leaders might be appropriate people to use as contacts. Let them know that whoever donates their time or money will have their name printed in the paper (if the paper has agreed to do that) as a way of showing your appreciation. Be sure to get approval from the newspaper first.
• Suggest to the local paper that you could be a correspondent while at the Games and send articles or stories back to the paper.
• Follow a similar process when approaching the local television and radio stations.

• First, introduce yourself and mention where you live and go to school. Explain to them that you have been selected to attend the World Scholar-Athlete Games from a select group of applicants. Invite them to visit the World Scholar-Athlete Games website (www.internationalsport.com/wsag). Show them the newspaper article, if you were able to get one printed. If not, show them your acceptance letter from the World Scholar-Athlete Games and explain what you will be doing at this program and what it means to you. Mention your fundraising plans, e.g., raffle, car wash, etc.
• Next, tell them that you are trying to raise money to cover your program fee and transportation costs, so that you can attend this extraordinary event. Be sure to inform them that whatever they are able to give would be of great benefit to you.
• If you have been able to make arrangements with the local newspaper, inform each business that you contact that they will be recognized in the local newspaper for their donation. Also, offer to have their support of you featured on their website. By showing support for you, this will help the business further develop its community relations.
• Whether or not they support you, thank them anyway. If they decline to help you, ask if they would show their support by buying a raffle ticket.

Approach Local Organizations:
Go to your local YMCA, YWCA, Kwanzaa, NAACP, V.F.W., Kiwanis, church organization, and/or local politician and explain to them (like you did to the local businesses) who you are and that you have been accepted to participate in the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games. Be prepared to explain the program to them. Use the same approach throughout your presentation to these organizations as you did with local businesses. Ask them to make a small pledge towards your goal. If you make an arrangement with the local newspaper, let them know that you'll be printing the names of the people, companies, and organizations that donate their time and/or money to you. Invite them to feature their support of you on their website.

Service Agencies:
Rotary Districts have shown strong support for participants in the Scholar-Athlete Games program in past years. Contact local Rotary Clubs in your community or surrounding area to seek funding support for you participation in the World Scholar-Athlete Games. In exchange for their support of your participation, they may ask that you make a presentation to the group before or after the event to relay your experiences to them. Other service agencies to approach for support include the Elks, Lions, or Moose Clubs.

Find an Advocate:
Find a teacher, coach or family friend to help publicize or promote your cause. Your advocate can speak to civic groups, write letters on your behalf, and/or put you in touch with people who may be willing to help.

Ask Your School:
If you are a scholar-athlete, the first person to contact would be your Athletic Director. Explain the philosophy and format of the World Scholar-Athlete Games program to him/her. Let him/her know that the Institute for International Sport is the organization that has developed the Scholar-Athlete Games program as well as other programs, like National Sportsmanship Day and the Center for Sports Parenting. Invite him/her to visit the World Scholar-Athlete Games website (www.internationalsport.com/wsag). Explain to him/her how much of an honor and a learning experience this would be for you. Let him/her know that the program only selects a small number of students from a highly select group of applicants. These selections are based on one’s extra-curricular activities, academic achievement, athleticism or accomplishments in the arts, and community involvement, and you would be honored to attend and represent your school.

Other Resources:

• Coaches: Coaches are good candidates to help in your fundraising venture. If they cannot make a donation, ask if they would be willing to help you raise the money through a raffle, pledges, or car washes at an athletic event.
• Booster Clubs: If your team has a booster club, find out if there is any money that could be donated to help you attend the World Scholar-Athlete Games.
• PTA or PTO organizations: Contact the Parent-Teacher Association at your school to see if it can assist you with your efforts.

Other Resources:

• Instructors: Your teachers and instructors might also be helpful contacts to make. If they cannot offer their help, ask if they can help you sell raffle tickets to other students and teachers.
• b. Activity advisors: If you are involved in any extra-curricular activities, like chess club, choir, band or dance group, find out if they have extra money in their budget and if they would like to help fund your trip.
• PTO or PTA organization: Contact the Parent-Teacher Association at your school to see if it can help.

Ask Your Family and Friends:
They are usually the first people to be asked, but since this is your fundraising project, you might want to ask them last and raise as much money as you can without their help. Your friends and family can help you raise money by selling raffle tickets or working at car washes.

Specific Fundraising Activities:
a) Raffles: They are the easiest way to raise money. Go to a movie theater, restaurant or company that offers a desirable product or service and ask them to donate discounted, or preferably, free services as a prize for your raffle. Explain to them that you are trying to raise money to attend the World Scholar-Athlete Games. Explain that you will print their name on the raffle tickets, as free advertising. If businesses will not donate their services or products, you can also buy gift certificates as prizes for your raffle. You should sell your tickets for $1 - $3. With 10 to 15 people helping you sell tickets, you can easily raise a significant amount of money. Remember to put a day, time, and a place when the winning ticket will be drawn. Announcing the winner at halftime of a basketball game or another school event could generate more money. Try to set up a table and sell tickets during the event in which you'll be announcing the winning number.

b) Pledges: Ask people to pledge a certain amount of money toward the successful completion of a particular feat you will be attempting. You can be as creative as you want to showcase your own individual talents.

Example: If you are a basketball player, notify people that you will be shooting 100 foul shots. Ask them to pledge a certain amount of money toward each shot you make, perhaps five cents. If you are a good foul shooter, you will quickly see how the nickels add up.

Pledges, like raffles, can raise a lot of money. It just takes a little creativity and hard work to get the job done.

c) Car Washes: When you need those last dollars to attend the Games, car washes are usually a good source of money. You could have a free car wash (and ask for donations) or an inexpensive car wash.

• The free car wash is simple. First, go to a gas station or a convenient, central location and ask the store manager for permission to have a car wash and use their water. After this, you are in business. All you need is some soap and able bodies. Wash the cars, but do not ask for any money. The owner of the car will usually ask you why are you having a car wash. Tell them that you’re trying to raise money to attend the World Scholar-Athlete Games. Next, tell them there is a donation box if they would like to support your fundraising. At this point, they cannot resist donating some money to your cause.
• The amount of money you raise at a pay car wash depends on the cost of the car wash and the number of cars you wash. On average, the service charge is between $4-$6 a car.

e) Sell refreshments at special events: Your school, civic group and/or local theater guild may allow you to sell refreshments at major events.

f) Sell Candy Bars: A quick and convenient way to raise money is through the sale of candy bars. A good time to sell these edible items would be during your schools’ lunch periods or at special events (athletic contests or art exhibits).

g.) Run in a Race or Walk a Certain Distance: These two activities are tried and true ways to raise funds. Many people will be receptive to donating a dollar or more for every mile you run or walk.

Note:
It is important to remember that different fundraising activities will have different results. There are a variety of ways to raise money; it is up to you to find the most workable one for you. The following websites offer ideas you may want to use, as well as general information regarding the fundraising process:

www.fundraising.com
www.westernfund.com/mm.html

Follow Up:
DON’T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU!

Writing thank you letters is an important part of your fundraising effort. It is an effective method of putting closure on the fundraising process. You should write a personal note to everyone who helped you. It is very important to let people know you are grateful for the help they were able to give you. Be sure to tell them about your experiences at the Games, including stories, pictures or thoughts about how your experiences at the Games may help you in your life’s endeavors.

Raising money to attend the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games will only be what you make of it. It can be frustrating or it can be fun. The important thing to remember is that it is for your benefit. Your initiative will dictate how much money you raise. We have only listed a few ideas to help you in your fundraising endeavors. Feel free to be creative and resourceful in raising the money you will need to attend the Games.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of your ideas feel free to contact us at wsag@internationalsport.com.  As a reminder, you are on the Scholar-Athlete Games honor system.  Please raise only what you need to cover tuition and transportation.  If a donor wishes to send a check directly to the Institute for International Sport in your name, please make sure the donor lists your name with the donation and we will credit your account.  If you have questions about this particular aspect of the fundraising, please email Jim Skiff at jskiff@internationalsport.com

Good luck and we hope to see you at the Games!