Pathways to Fundraising Success

You can do it!! Here's how...

We want to see you
SUCCEED!

Youthlinc offers one on one fundraising support and guidance. To start your path to success schedule your first one on one NOW!

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Use our self guided Pathway to Fundraising Success, follow each step (1-7) closely and utilize our customizable resources and suggestions. We have include a lot of great resources including Canva Worksheets and templates for you to fill out and customize along the way.

To edit and save these worksheets please use your personal Canva account or create one here: https://www.canva.com/login/

Step 1: Set a Fundraising GOAL!

FUNDRAISING ROADMAP

WORKSHEET

Youthlinc's Fundraising Roadmap worksheet will walk you through setting a goal, creating monthly milestones, and a plan of action.

Complete this roadmap on your own or schedule a one on one meeting with a Youthlinc staff member for step-by-step support.

This is the first step to your fundraising success!

Step 2: Your Story

Craft Your Story

WORKSHEET

Youthlinc's Craft Your Story worksheet will walk you create the most important element of your fundraising plan, Your Story.

When it comes to fundraising your biggest strength is Your Story! Donors want to know what your doing, and most importantly why it matters to you.

Every donation to your Youthlinc trip is a direct investment in YOU!

Step 3: Choose your Path

Select 1 of the following fundraising paths and use each resource provided to help you create a plan and tackling your next steps.

Provide a Good

Selling a product is a fun and effective way to fundraise! It allows you to share something tangible with your community while raising support for your Youthlinc Trip.

Product sales also teach valuable skills in communication, marketing, budgeting, and follow-through — all key parts of being a lifetime humanitarian.

Every item you sell is more than a fundraiser — it’s a story, a connection, and a step toward your global impact.

Pro Tip: Utilize goods that are centered around holidays or goods that people would need/want to buy outside of just a donation. For example pies at Thanksgiving, snow melt in winter, or discount cards for local businesses.

Use the
Provide a Good Worksheet to help you map out a plan to provide a good:

WORKSHEET

Here is a list of effective Goods Ideas you could provide as your fundraiser!

List of Goods Ideas

Direct Ask!

Asking directly for support can feel intimidating — but it’s one of the most effective and impactful ways to fundraise. When you reach out personally to friends, family, or community members, you’re giving them the chance to be part of something meaningful. There are no overhead costs, no materials to buy, and every dollar raised goes straight toward your Youthlinc trip. A direct ask builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and often surprises you with how generous people are when they understand your passion and purpose. Remember: you’re not just asking for money — you’re inviting others to join your journey of service and change lives with you.

You can do this!!! It’s totally normal to feel nervous about asking for support — but remember, people want to help you succeed. Be proud of what you’re doing and invite others to join your journey. You’re not just fundraising — you’re building a team of supporters who believe in you!

Use the Direct Ask Worksheet
to help you map out a plan:

WORKSHEET

LETTER

Letter Template

Letter Example

Letter from Executive Director

Add a letter from the Executive Director of Youthlinc to support your Direct Ask:

EMAIL

TEXT MESSAGE

Direct Ask:
“Hi [Name], I’m raising funds for my Youthlinc trip to [Country]. I’ll be serving as [role/committee work], which is important to me because [share Why]. I’m asking family and friends to support me with a donation of about $[amount]. Here’s my link: [tinyurl]. Thank you so much for considering!”

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media Template

Use this Social Media to customize your direct ask.

Provide a Service

Offering a service is one of the most meaningful and personal ways to fundraise!

When you share your time and skills — whether babysitting, mowing lawns, cleaning, tutoring, or wrapping gifts — you’re giving something of real value to your community while earning support for your Youthlinc Trip. Service-based fundraising shows initiative, responsibility, and creativity.

It helps build trust, strengthens connections, and demonstrates that you’re willing to work hard for the experience ahead. Every hour you give is more than just work — it’s a reflection of your commitment to serve others locally and globally.

You can do it! Offering your time and talent is one of the most genuine ways to fundraise. Every act of service shows dedication and heart. You’re proving through action that you’re willing to work hard for something that matters.

Use the
Provide a Service Worksheet to help you map out a plan:

WORKSHEET

Here is a list of effective Service ideas you could provide for your fundraiser!

List of Services!

Corporate Giving and Company Match Programs

Youthlinc is grateful to partner with many businesses that offer corporate giving and donation match programs

Current Youthlinc Corporate Giving Partners:

Qualifying Corporate Giving Programs

Below are the steps to complete a corporate giving donation or match:

Find out if your business does a corporate giving or matching program for verified 501C-3 nonprofits
Check if Youthlinc is on the accepted organization list and/or complete any necessary steps to ensure that Youthlinc is accepted by your company
Complete your corporate giving or match donation request via your company
Complete the Youthlinc Corporate Giving and Company Match Program form
Be sure to read our terms and conditions and upload a receipt or confirmation summary of your donation
Wait for the time described in your company’s giving program’s guidelines for your donation to be distributed to Youthlinc.
Once it has been received by Youthlinc, please wait a minimum of one week for it to be uploaded to you/your child’s fundraising page"

Complete your Youthlinc Corporate Giving & Company Match Program Form:

Form

Donation Challenges

A Donation challenge is a dynamic way to engage your network, amplify excitement, and raise support for your project in a bold, focused way. By setting a clear goal, inviting others to join you, and driving friendly competition or milestones, you create momentum that lifts you and the people around you. Challenges bring urgency, visibility, and teamwork — making donors feel like they’re part of a collective movement rather than just a transaction. Best of all: it’s an opportunity to showcase your passion, amplify your impact, and reach farther than you might have expected.

Here is a list of effective DONATION CHALLENGE ideas you could provide as your fundraiser!

Challenge Ideas

Give this Venmo Challenge a try!

Venmo Challenge

Venmo Challenge Template

Step 4: Put Yourself Out There

Personal Communication

Face-to-Face or Phone Call

Direct Ask:
“Hi [Name], I wanted to share something exciting. I’ve been accepted to join a Youthlinc humanitarian trip to [Country]. While I’m there, I’ll be [your role/committee work] — this matters to me because [your Why / what inspired you to go]. To make this possible, I’m fundraising $[amount]. Would you consider supporting me with a donation of about $[ask amount]?”

Good or Service:
“I’m fundraising for my Youthlinc trip to [Country], where I’ll be [your role/committee work]. I’m doing this because [share Why — e.g., ‘I want to give back and learn from another community’]. To help raise the funds, I’m [selling ___ / offering ___]. Would you be interested in supporting me this way?”

Text Message

Direct Ask:
“Hi [Name], I’m raising funds for my Youthlinc trip to [Country]. I’ll be serving as [role/committee work], which is important to me because [share Why]. I’m asking family and friends to support me with a donation of about $[amount]. Here’s my link: [tinyurl]. Thank you so much for considering!”

Good or Service:
“Hey [Name], I’m working toward my fundraising goal for my Youthlinc trip to [Country], where I’ll be [role/committee]. I’m doing this because [Why — e.g., ‘I want to make a difference while learning from the community there’]. To raise funds, I’m [selling ___ / offering ___]. Would you like to support me?”

Email

Subject: Supporting My Youthlinc Humanitarian Trip

Dear [Name],
I’m excited to share that I’ve been accepted to participate in a Youthlinc trip to [Country] this summer. While there, I’ll be [your role/committee work], and this is especially meaningful to me because [share your Why -what drives you to do this].

To make this trip possible, I am fundraising $[amount]. You can support me by [donating at this link: ___] or by [purchasing good/service].

Thank you for being part of my journey and encouraging me in this work.

With gratitude,
[Your Name]

Social Media

Selling a Good Social Media

Template

Step 5: Evaluate and Pivot

Have you hit your fundraising goal for this month?

Yes

No

That's okay-
Keep Trying!

Fundraising is rarely linear. The most successful fundraisers pivot and try again.

NEXT STEPS... Lets start with Reflection:

What worked best this month?
What didn't work well?
What could I try differently?

Try a Different Pathway!

Fundraising Pathways

or

Keep Trying, loop back to the Marketing tools to expand your reach!

Marketing Resources

CONGRATS!!!

You are Killing It!

NEXT STEPS...

Thank Your Donors

Celebrate your success and don't forget to Thank Your Donors!

(gratitude is part of fundraising)

Thank Your Donors

or

Keep Fundraising

Keep up your hard work and make adjustments if you need, so that you can keep hitting your monthly goals.

Try Another Pathway:

Fundraising Pathways

Step 6: Thank Your Donors

When

Immediately after donation: You should be thanking your donors within a maximum of a week of their donation
- Quick text or email or call or drop a note in the mail

AFTER your capstone international trip:
- Send a custom-made postcard with a picture of you on your trip, write a thank you note reflecting on your experience

After Your Capstone International Trip

Postcard Example:

"Hi [Name],

I just got back from my Youthlinc trip to [Country], and I wanted to thank you again for helping make this possible! One of the highlights for me was [short memory - e.g., teaching English to students, helping build a community garden, or working alongside local families].

This trip has been life-changing and I’m so grateful for your support in making it happen. Your generosity made a real difference.

With gratitude,
[Your Name]"

Thank You Note Example:

"Dear [Name],
I just returned from my Youthlinc trip to [country], and I can’t thank you enough for helping make this possible. While there, I [share a highlight-teaching a class, helping with construction, working with community members]. This experience has truly impacted me, and I’m so grateful you were part of my journey.

With heartfelt thanks,

[Your Name]"

Immediate After Receiving a Donation

Text example:

"Hi [Name], thank you so much for supporting my Youthlinc trip! Your donation means a lot to me as I prepare for this experience. I’m so grateful for your encouragement and belief in what I’m doing."

Handwritten note example:

"Dear [Name],

Thank you so much for your generous support toward my Youthlinc trip. Your contribution is helping me [share a detail about your role or committee work] and prepare to serve at [insert service site or country]. I am looking forward to _____. I am so grateful for your kindness and encouragement.

With appreciation,
[Your Name]"

Pathways to Fundraising Success

We want to see you
SUCCEED!

Step 1: Set a Fundraising GOAL!

FUNDRAISING ROADMAP

Step 2: Your Story

Craft Your Story