• Getting started
• Enrolling travelers
• Fundraising
  • Getting started
  • Sponsorships and grants
  • Community and school events
  • Product sales
  • Ideas for individuals
  • Guides and resources
• Planning for your tour
• Preparing for departure
• On-tour responsibilities
• EF guidelines and regulations
• Free international training tour
• FAQ

Region Europe - Great Britain and Ireland - France - Italy - Spain and Portugal - Greece and Turkey - Germany, Austria and Switzerland - Benelux and Scandinavia - Eastern Europe Las Americas Asia and South Pacific - Australia - China - Japan - Thailand - Southeast Asia Africa
Length 8 days or less 14 days or less 18 days or less 19 days or more
Program fee Less Than $1200 Less Than $1400 Less Than $1600 Less Than $2000 * Any Price
Travel year 2012 itineraries 2013 itineraries 2014 itineraries

Sponsorships and grants

Sponsorship Letters

Money up front: $15-$25 for stamps and photocopies ($0 if you send letters by email)
How it works: Send letters to local businesses and service organizations requesting support.

• Determine who you will write to. Start with organizations that have a vested interest in cultural exchange and organizations with which you have a long-standing relationship.
• Focus on two main points when writing your letter:
• Why is educational travel important?
• How will your donor’s money help?
• Have a look at our sponsorship letter template.
• Hand-deliver your letters for greater impact or, to reach more people, consider sending them out by email.
• Offer something in return: display their logo at future fundraisers or offer “advertising” space on a group tour t-shirt.
• Give thanks. Send a postcard from your travels and/or invite all donors to a trip presentation upon your return.
  See pages 4 and 5 of the Sponsorship and Grants Fundraising Guide (PDF) for further information.

Internet Fundraising: FirstGiving.com

Money up front: $0
How it works: Set up an account for your own website. It allows you to collect funds electronically with credit cards. All funds go through an associated non-profit, so they are tax deductible.

• Set up an account at FirstGiving.com
• Send an email through FirstGiving.com to ask friends, family and colleagues to make a donation.
• You can track your progress as you collect donations.

Grant writing

Money up front: $0
How it works: Grants are sums of money that are awarded to fund a specific activity or organization. They can be difficult to research, and approval can take time, so it’s important to plan ahead and have a back-up plan. Consider if grants are the best fit for your group or if you might opt for sponsorship through alternative options (listed above).

• Define your goal and mission for traveling with students. Seek a grantor who supports it.
• Search online for grants that fit your needs and are related to education and travel. See our Sponsorship and Grants Fundraising Guide (PDF) for a list of places to start.
• Look for continuing support. Some grants offer repeat funding or the opportunity to set up a travel fund. Even if it is not mentioned, it is worth asking if the grantor might consider matching the funds year to year.