What we call “luck” is usually the sub-product of a successful communication

The basic fundraising rule is: “If you don’t look for it, you won’t find it”.However, there are methods which produce better results in less time. Bellow we suggest some techniques that can help on your communication.

Present yourself as a sales person and not like a begging one. If the help is asked with you regretting your difficulties, in many times, the donor only gives some small change just to get rid from the inconvenience. The sales posture pleases the potential donors and implies on the use of modern techniques. You are not asking money for your vacations, you want to participate in the construction of a fairer world at the same time that you learn other cultures and open new horizons for your life. “Sell” to the donor the benefits that he/she will be generating when contributing for your volunteer program. Always remember: before asking something, you should know what you can do for the other person.

Be very well prepared to answer any question about your program. Get familiarized with Iko Poran's objectives in its site and about all your program details. How is the partner’s organization story? Who are its partners? Where and how will be the program? What will be accomplished with it? How many people will be benefitted? What will you learn? What value does it have for your life? And for the donor’s life? How can you reattribute to the donor? If it is necessary, offer an educational presentation about your program’s results upon your return. This option works better with religious organizations, educational institutions or civic groups.

Plan ahead and start your fundraising process well in advance, Be aware of your program’s registrations dates. This will assure that you have the necessary time to be successful.

The negatives will be inevitable, but do not let yourself be discouraged: The "Yes" will also happen, there are a lot of people who want to help changing the world without knowing how, all you have to do is find them. "Be persistent! "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful talented people. Geniality will not: genius badly rewarded is almost a proverb. Education will not also: the world is full of educated and frustrated people. Persistence and determination are omnipotent". Calvin Coolidge.

Be able to explain what you want in one or two sentences: a lot of information can confuse the prospect donor. After your explanation, let them ask the questions, listen with attention and be ready to answer them. Many potential donors are interested in contributing for good causes, but they do not know anything about social and environmental development. 

The fundraising activity is a systematic process of identifying and creating relationships with people and/or organizations. It involves a complete cycle of activities: initial analysis, planning (action plan), researches, cultivation and education, sensitization, request, valuation and gratitude, construction of relationships, control and planning.


Types of fundraising campaigns 

The campaign that you are beginning is called "Fund Campaign" and it consists in:
· An effort to finance one or more projects;
· The realization of some occasional events seeking to obtain big donations;
· the urgency in establishing a period to receive the donations.

There are many ways to realize a Fund Campaign, we have listed some below:

Write a Letter;
It is one of the most effective and simple methods. Send letters to friends, family, work or study mates, clubs’ members, foundations, churches, humanitarian organizations, banks and local business, to all who you can “sell” your idea. 
Be objective, write a letter of one page with five paragraphs: on the first one, make a personal presentation and talk about the life opportunity that is motivating you to write them; on the second and third paragraphs present Iko Poran, the partner organization and the program that you want to realize, as well as its objectives and foreseen results; on the fourth, mention the total amount that is necessary to participate in the program, what you already have, how much you are still needing and, most important: tell the amount that you wish from this donor - fix a value; on the fifth paragraph say good-bye, thank him/her for the attention and establish a period for the donation.
Stay focused and always follow-up the requests, let them know that you really need the contribution. Do not let this subject stay behind.
Make a list to know whom you asked, how much they gave and who is still supposed to donate. This will also help you on the recognition and to create a network, if you need to fundraise again.

Students Funds
There are a lot of universities and schools which have funds to finance their students' education activities. Verify if your institution has a fund like this and if it finances activities like the program in which you want to participate. If there is a compatibility, maybe you can request a help.

Make an Event:
Be sure how you structure your event and that the donations will be enough to compensate the money and time that you will spend.
Event types: parties, barbecues or dinners, raffles, garage sales, bingo’s, others.

Partnerships:
Seek small local establishments, religious organizations or civic groups and try to form partnerships in which they can advertise the project, the benefits to be reached and the help that they are giving you. Promise a presentation when returning from your program.



Fundraising Techniques

◊ Identifying potential donors: 
- First make a list of all of the people you know and even those who you do not know but can be presented to you. Keep thinking about this. If you need, meet with a friend and think together for some time, this can help you open new horizons;
- Seek among the people on your list those with likeness or curiosity regarding: social development projects; world's population sustainability; cultural exchanges; learning new languages; Brazil; who like to help or; simply those very close;
- The potential donors are those who have conditions to support certain projects because they possess resources or are motivated to donate;
- That implies in a true identification and investigative work, time investment, dialogue disposition and the use of strategies that can approximate the donor to the cause accordingly to his/her profile and longings. The interests’ compatibility is essential to have the donation rendered. Talking with people can help you understand the points that interest them the most and should be reinforced;
- Dimension the amount that you wish to receive from each donor;
- Identify the people who will make the approach between the donor, you and the cause.

◊ Sensitization:
- Learn the factors that can motivate the donor and that have an influence on his/her decision to contribute;
- Convince the potential donor the importance of his/her contribution;
- Involving the donors with the cause can increase the donations' potential and amount;
- Know the personality, longings, desires, academic formation and the potential donor’s circle of friendships. Usually, his/her friends have the same interests and can contribute with your cause as well;

◊ Presenting the cause:
- Substitute the word "need" for "opportunity". Mention higher feelings like personal satisfaction, cooperation, self-realization, participation, recognition, etc.;
- The creativity presenting the cause produces good results;
- Present the program's benefits, people, good results and beneficiaries instead of only emphasizing financial problems;
- Answer all the donors' questions regarding their donations. The more you know about the program and the objectives to be reached, the better.

◊ Donation: 
- Find the most convenient way to receive the donor's resources. Sometimes the donor do not have the resources available at the moment: you can ask for an predated check or schedule a day to return - 30% of the donors point the easiness as the main reason that took them to donate;
- The donations can also be made in other ways, in case the donor wants to contribute but does not have financial resources. He/She can, for instance, communicate the cause to other potential donors of his/her circle of relationships. He/She can also donate materials to be sold or raffled. Never think about the money as the only option.

◊ Accounts Report:
- To show transparency and credibility send reports about the activities done in your program. Send a postcard from Brazil or an e-mail with pictures taken from you carrying out activities in your program. That attitude demonstrates consideration to the donor and he/she feels more rewarded for his/her contribution;
- Make the donors feel that their investment is returning to society. Show that they are making an investment in citizens’ formation.

◊ Recognition: 
- Registers your recognition through a letter and maintains a bond with the donor;
- It is, also, a great opportunity to prove them the actions of the benefitted institution;
- All the donors should be informed that their donations will be carefully used for the project to which it was destined.


Statistical data

◊ More important social causes?
- 46,8%: children;
- 19,0%: hunger / malnutrition;
- 7,80%: senior / unemployment.

◊ Knowing the institution?
- 35,6%: total influence;
- 31,4%: very accentuated;
- 20,6%: accentuated influence

◊ Information about the number of benefited people?
- 29,2%: accentuated influence;
- 22,3%: very accentuated;
- 19,8%: moderate.

◊ Success testimonies of the institution performance?
- 30,7%: very accentuated;
- 25,1%: accentuated influence;
- 24,7%: total.

◊ Know the institution's mission and objectives ? 
- 35,8%: total influence;
- 33,6%: very accentuated;
- 21,5%: accentuated influence.

◊ Know the work developed by institution?
- 39,0%: influence very accentuated;
- 26,8%: total;
- 22.5%: accentuated influence.