In making your dream into reality, monetary considerations become very important and this monetary requirement can be met by fundraising programmes by the volunteers/interns. In fact many international and private organizations are more than willing to donate money for a good cause especially for conservation of wildlife as it forms one topic for prior concern and consideration. Although it may seem a daunting task at first ,many of the volunteers/interns who work with this programme have proved excellent and successful fundraisers. It just requires a little skill to hit the nail on the head and this can be done in many ways e.g.. Writing letters to the local community for support, or even organizing concerts, art shows, game shows etc. You could also ask some private enterprise, local companies and some international organizations to lend you a helping hand. Fundraising is a perfect opportunity to inform others of what you are going to do, for every little bit helps and with fundraising you may be more able to embark on this wonderful volunteering/internship trip which means so much to you.

An Introduction To Fund Raising :

• Begin by listing people and organizations that you know and trust. You should ask everyone you know as their donations will make a great impact by allowing you to meet your goals, hopes and reasons for volunteering/internship.
• Let them know the total money that you are hoping to raise. This makes your approach easier for asking a specific amount of money.
• When approaching companies, express a sense of urgency as you will be forewarned as to whether you should keep trying with other organizations or not.
• After you receive the donations please be as polite and thankful as possible. Please acknowledge all contributions with a thank you letter in recognition to their tremendous help. Also if possible before leaving on your expedition try to publicly recognize and thank your supporters.
• Promise to reward your contributors. Keep in touch with your donors by writing e-mails or reports from your field. Even evidence like pictures of your actions abroad helps your donor to better understand and see where their money has made a difference and how it has made a positive impact on the world.
• Always remember to assure your contributing organizations of their importance to you by appreciating their support and constantly staying in touch with them on all the information they need from you

• Letter Writing
  Letter-writing is one of the easiest and most direct fundraising methods. You could send letters to all your well wishers like the friends, family members, employers, co-workers, clubs, churches, and other organizations whom you feel would be interested in helping you in your volunteer endeavours.
• University Funds
  If you are a student one other source of funding is your own place of study. Usually all educational institutions have allocated funds for student activities. You could get sponsored by them for one of your volunteer/intern works as many departments have discretionary funds for projects and programmes which are utilized for academic or service –learning courses.
• Local Businesses
  Another likely way to raise funds is also by asking local businesses to contribute towards your programmes, may be by approaching them directly if they are known to you or with sending an introductory letter first enclosing all relevant details and then following up the proposal with a phone call or personal meeting. This could work out very well for you as many local businesses support international volunteers/interns, for, by doing so they too popularize themselves as they gain publicity by their contributions.
• Sale
  A traditional way of raising money is also possible by putting up sales like bake sales, art and craft sale, candy sale or any type of sale that interests you. The items on sale could be sponsored by someone who would later donate all his/ her collections towards your programme or try to have such items that take minimum investment but give 100% profit on sales.
• Raffles
  Rafles too can be a very effective method of fund raising. Groups can obtain donated items from companies, restaurants, local stores or may be even unused or antique household articles or artifacts and then try to auction or raffle them off at some large events such as a dance. You could also screen premier film shows and raffle their tickets at a higher price. Raffles are an effective way for fundraising as here the proceeds are higher than the purchase price.
• Grants
  Another important aspect for fundraising is to find out if the government or private funding organizations like Ford Foundation subsidizes or gives incentives for money spent on activities related to human rights and wildlife conservation. These subsides if available could bring down your monetary requirements to a very large extent.
• Media
  The last and perhaps the best way to promote awareness and raise funds is by utilizing the local media. It could form a wonderful start for your fund raising programme as media is the largest and most authentic way to publicise your programme. You can circulate the enclosed press announcements to publications with which you may be affiliated as your local newspaper, alumni magazines, church bulletins or any organization bulletins. Having a short piece published could give you a real head start in your fundraising quest.