This is the time for precision and meticulous organization. Budget for the ACTUAL costs of your travel, materials, and program fee.
It's best to choose a program you feel reasonably sure you can raise money for. (Tip: Your chances for support are greater if you're serving with a visible, well-known or local organization). If you haven't already made flight arrangements, now's the time to check into the costs of air travel to your destination (if required). While it's important to be optimistic, there's no point in struggling to scrape together the funds for an opportunity you will ultimately have to abandon. This not only is discouraging for you, but disappoints the sponsors and volunteer organization as well. Focus your energies on a budget you believe you can meet, then discipline yourself to work on a timeline which includes specific funding goals along the way so you can adjust your expectations and requests as you approach your target dates. Some people "work backwards" from their proposed departure date to determine the timeline they require for a realistic fundraising timeline, then add half-again the total time to account for unexpected interruptions in the plan.
Prepare a professional-looking budget document. You may want to share your printed budget with your potential sponsors, as it could inspire larger contributions. Several spreadsheet computer programs, such as Excel, work well for this purpose. And, it's important for you to explain what portion of the costs you will be contributing toward the trip. Some sponsors may be willing to "match" your contribution.
Continue with Step Two: Identify Potential Funders
