OUTSIDE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
(UNDER AND POST GRAD)
Often domestic or international service opportunities, non-profit organizations and academic research opportunities aren’t able to provide funding for interns and volunteers. This guide provides several resources for both undergraduate and post-graduate students to explore when raising money for internships and other experiences.
General Funding Resources
ProWorld Fundraising Guide
A guide with tips on scholarships and individual fundraising for experiences abroad. While some of these are ProWorld specific resources, many are open to students in any program. It also contains a great outline about raising individual gifts from donors (see pg. 11).
World Teach Fundraising Guide
Provides a comprehensive guide to procuring funds from friends and family, community organizations, corporations and other possible funders. Includes sample letters and flyers. Some resources are World-Teach specific.
Grants, Scholarships and Fellowships
DoSomething.org
A great website for finding grants for group and individual projects, ranging from topics like HIV/AIDS to Health and Fitness. Each week, they give away $500 to a cause, and also offer scholarships and awards for individuals to use toward funding projects. They also have creative ideas on events that clubs and organizations can host.
Grants.gov
While governments are eligible, as well as for-profit and larger corporations, community-based groups are also eligible. These are probably more competitive, but a source nonetheless. They especially encourage underrepresented ethnic groups and people with disabilities to apply.
Philanthropy.com
The Chronicle of Philanthropy includes a comprehensive list of grants and scholarships available. Some are huge, some are small. Look under “deadlines” in the left hand border for a list of opportunities by category. Also provides information on how to fundraise for a non-profit, including regularly updated articles on things like new media. Subscribe for more in-depth information.
Princeton Guide to Scholarships & Fellowships
List of fellowships and deadlines for post-graduate funding.
St. Olaf-Sponsored Scholarships/Fellowships
Additional Tips and Ideas
Tips on Grant-Writing
Free tips on grant-writing along with trend articles. Links to websites with grant lists, writing technique and book resources.
Creative Fundraising Ideas
Want to host a head shaving contest to raise money? Creative ideas on fundraising events, like a bake-off bakesale, Christmas light removal, gourd tossing and a What’s in the Box auction along with many other interesting approaches.
Other Places to Look
- Ask academic departments! Some have funds set aside to assist students in funding learning opportunities within their discipline.
- Explore your hometown/local resources. Are you part of a Church? A civic organization? Can you ask the Rotary club? Lions club? Legions? (For more ideas, refer to the ProWorld and WorldTeach guides on the first page of this handout.)
- SGA has funds available to attend conferences, etc. See Oleville for more information.