YOURPERSONALFUNDRAISINGTOOLKIT

All you need to get started, keep going, and accomplish

your target!

2

INSIDEYOURTOOLKIT INTRODUCTION .................................................................. 3

GETTING STARTED............................................................... 4

BALANCING YOUR BUDGET............................................... 5

WAYS TO FUNDRAISE………………………………………….6

SETTING GOALS ................................................................... 7

NETWORKS & NETWORKING.............................................. 8

DONATIONS & SPONSORSHIP............................................ 9

HOW DO I ASK? .................................................................... 9

APPROACHING NEW CONTACTS ..................................... 11

FUNDRAISING EVENTS ...................................................... 12

FUNDRAISING IDEAS ......................................................... 13

USING MEDIA TO GET THE WORD OUT .......................... 14

TIPS AND TRICKS................................................................ 15

PAST SUCCESS STORIES ..................................................... 16

APPENDICES ....................................................................... 19

INTRODUCTION

3

We are very excited that you have chosen YCI for your overseas experience! But, first things first: Raising the funds to get you there! Fundraising is not rocket science – it’s not about brains, talent or creativity – although these things don’t hurt. To succeed in fundraising, you simply need to have a plan, put in the work and not give up. Anyone can do it! This fundraising tool-kit will walk you through the following topics:

We hope that you will find this guide to be a valuable resource as you plan for your projects overseas; however, please do not hesitate to contact Heather Auden, Volunteer Program Manager (volunteersupport@yci.org) if you have any additional questions or inquiries regarding the fundraising process. Best of luck as you embark upon this once-in-a-life-time opportunity!

•  GettingStarted•  GoalSetting•  Networks&Networking•  Donations&Sponsorship•  FundraisingEvents•  Media•  Tips&Tricks

4

GETTING STARTED You already know that you will need money to fund your overseas project. Now you need to determine just how much money you will need to raise, how you are going to do it and how you will keep track of it all! Sit down to review your resources and assess what money you already have access to, including personal savings, contributions from parents/legal guardians, and any grants or bursaries you have already secured. Once you know how much you already have it’s easy to determine what you will need to raise. Set yourself up by being realistic and accurate. You don’t want to leave yourself short of money at the end! The next page shows you how to keep track of your budget!

5

BALANCING YOUR BUDGET

Use this format to keep track of your funds.

Expenses YCI Fundraising Target _______________

Travel from home to gateway city + _______________ Medical Expenses (medical form and immunizations) + _______________

Travel Insurance + _______________ Passport Application fee + _______________

Visa Fee (if applicable) + _______________ Spending Money + _______________

Total: = _______________

Available Funds Your savings _______________

Parents + _______________ School + _______________ Other + _______________

Total: = _______________

Total Funds Needed to Raise

Available Funds minus your Expenses Total: = _______________

Funding Source Estimates Events _______________

Organizations + _______________ Local Companies + _______________

Total: = _______________

Funds Donated

Donor 1:_____________________________________ _______________ Donor 2:____________________________________ + _______________ Donor 3:____________________________________ + _______________ Donor 4:____________________________________ + _______________ Donor 5:____________________________________ + _______________

(add more lines if needed) Total: _______________

6

WAYS TO FUNDRAISE As you begin to make a fundraising plan, you will first need to decide which method or combination of methods will work best for you. There are many different ways to fundraise, but most fall under two main types: event hosting or appeal campaigns. While each method of fundraising has pros and cons, both can be very useful to your fundraising efforts! Event Hosting This type of fundraising involves planning and organizing an event, such as a garage sale or a benefit concert, as a way to raise money for your cause. You might also consider tagging onto existing events by asking the organizers to consider giving a portion of the proceeds to support your goal. Appeals Campaigns This type of fundraising usually involves asking for donations and/or sponsorship for your overseas experience. This means approaching people and asking them to support you in reaching your goal. Giving a “donation” implies that the individual or company giving the money expects nothing in return. Donations most often come from family and friends but may also come from service clubs, foundations, corporations, and other organizations. Sponsorship, on the other hand, usually involved offering the company and/or organization something in exchange for their financial contribution. We will return to the different ways to fundraise in a few minutes, but first we will cover a number of important aspects of fundraising that are critical when you are just beginning the fundraising process.

7

SETTING GOALS Setting goals is probably the most important part of fundraising and will help you stay motivated and keep on track. Of course, there is more to goal setting than simply picking an amount of money to raise and going for it! It is important to assess and evaluate your goals to see if they are manageable. Ideally you want to develop SMART goals that have a specific set of characteristics. SMART goals are:

Your next step should be to set short term targets or benchmarks that will help you reach your goal! Breaking the large goal into “bite sized” pieces will be the first step in developing your fundraising plan.

• Makesureyourgoalisclear.Writeoutwhatyouaregoingtodo,whyitisimportanttoyou,andhowyouaregoingtodoit.Specific• Knowhowyouwillbeabletotellonceyouhavereachedyourgoal.Keeptrackofyourprogressbysettingtargetdatesandcheckingoffthingsonyourto‐dolist.

Measurable• Thinkaboutallthethingsyou'llneedtodotoprepare.Makethegoalbigenoughtomakeanimpactandsmallenoughthatitisdoable.

Attainable• Askyourselfifyouarewillingandabletoworktowardsyourgoal.Setagoalyoucanmeet,butdon'tbeshytopushpastthat!Onceyoubelieveit,youcandoit.

Realistic• Setatimelineandanenddatebywhichyouwanttohityourgoal.Thishelpstostayontrackandletsyoucountdowntothefinaldayofsuccess!Timely

8

Networks & Networking This is probably the next most critical part of fundraising. A network is a group of people linked together. Everyone has a personal network! Your network is made up of your family, friends, neighbours, peers and co-workers. Networking is the process of building up your personal network by making and maintaining relationships. Remember that each person in your network also has their own network of contacts; therefore, it is likely that your new contacts will come from the people you know. Maintaining and expanding your network should be an important part of your fundraising. The people in your network can help you reach your goal in a number of ways, including introducing you to new contacts, donating space for you to hold an event, or providing you with new fundraising ideas. Here is a list of people that you might have in your network: • Friends and family • Place of worship • School or university (President, Dean, Alumni Association) • Groups you belong to (student society, faculty club, other

organizations) • Past or present employers • Small business owners • Professional associations or workplaces of contacts • Unions, social justice organizations, and local community groups

(Rotary, Lions Club) • YCI Alumni, volunteers and staff Once you have identified your network, pick at least 5 people that you think will be able to help you in some way. Schedule a meeting to speak with these people to tell them about what you are doing, and what it is you need. Remember there are lots of ways people can help you besides giving you money!!

9

Donations & Sponsorship Your network should be the first place you look to find potential donors and sponsors but it can also be helpful to make a list of all the companies or organizations you can approach for donations and sponsorships. Try looking at sources such as:

• Directory of Associations in Canada • Canadian Almanac and Directory (lists groups by subject) • Canadian International Development Agency (complete listing of all

registered charities in Canada) • Community Information Service Book (lists organizations in your

community) • Yellow Pages

Remember, though, that local companies tend to be more willing to offer sponsorship than a large national company that is approached by thousands of people everyday!

How do I ask? When asking a company or organization for money, you should show how your experience with YCI will help the company, organization and/or entire community. Also, make sure they are aware that tax receipts are available for donations of $25 or more toward the fundraising component of your trip! When you submit funds you can ask for tax receipts on behalf of your Canadian donors.

10

In the past, YCI’ers have had success receiving donations and sponsorship from the following types of companies and organizations: Businesses: Local merchants, banks, supermarkets, law firms, realty firms, insurance companies, pharmacies, engineering firms, newspapers, sports stores, utility companies, auto dealers, and many more! Organizations: Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Optimists Clubs, school boards, universities and colleges, and many more! Remember that when you are requesting sponsorship it implies that you will be giving something to the individual, company and/or organization in exchange for their funding. What you choose to offer is important and should be reflective of what you are doing and who you are. Here are a couple of ideas to get started:

A postcard, souvenir, or framed photo of you from your YCI placement

Acknowledgement on your blog, in your presentations and in your media coverage

A plaque or certificate to hang in their work place that acknowledges their contribution

A presentation to the company or community upon your return from overseas

11

Approaching New Contacts While many of us underestimate the number of potential donors or sponsors that exist within our own personal networks, there is often a point that it becomes necessary to begin expanding this network and reaching out to new people and organizations. In order to be successful at this, there are a number of important considerations! First, you should rehearse your “Big Ask” in advance. You should be very comfortable with approaching people with your cause and be able to explain why they should support you and YCI. To start, try practicing answering these questions:

• Who are you? • Why do you want to participate in a YCI program? • Why do you need help? • How can they help you? • What, if anything, can you offer in return? • How will going to your host country benefit anyone but you?

Second, you should research your destination and become comfortable talking about your placement details. You may need to answer a number of questions on the spot and knowing these details should help you be as prepared as possible. Of course, if you cannot answer a question at any given moment, feel free to tell your contact that you will direct their question to YCI staff and get back to them as soon as possible. Third, you should prepare a letter requesting a donation and/or sponsorship. If you are approaching new contacts in person, you can leave this behind as a reminder and it can be used when you are unable to speak to someone in person, or you can mail it. Fourth, FOLLOW UP! If you have not heard back within a week call to see if there has been any progress made regarding your request. Also, consider following up mailed or e-mailed requests with a phone call asking if you can come in to meet them in person Remember, the best way to secure a donation is always face-to-face!

12

Finally, every single donor/sponsor should receive a thank you letter. Letters should be timely, sincere and provide information on how they have helped you. Send the letters out within 2-3 weeks of when they tell you they will give you funding and another letter or card when you get back from your YCI experience.

Fundraising Events Fundraising events can be a lot of fun to organize and, if planned well, will raise a lot of money for your sojourn abroad! There are a lot of ways to make fundraising creative and effective. Here’s how to get started:

1. Write down all of your different fundraising ideas. To get started, take a look at the ideas on the next page or you can read about what previous participants did later in this tool-kit.

2. Look over your ideas and narrow your list down to your top 5 options by asking yourself the following questions:

• What will it cost you to run this event? • Where will this event take place? • Do you know anyone who has run this type of event before? Was

it successful? • Do you think that people will want to come to this type of event? • How much money do you think you will raise? • Do you know any individuals, companies, and/or organizations

that might be willing to help you with this event?

3. Develop an action plan with a timeline. Sit down and make a list of everything that needs to be done and the dates by which you want to have them completed.

13

Fundraising Ideas There are plenty of fun and creative ways to raise money! Here are a few examples of ideas that have worked for YCI alumni:

• Garage sales • Car washes • Bottle drives • Murder mystery dinners • Product sales • Themed movie nights • Office coffee clubs • Benefit concerts • Coffee house talent nights • School dances • Bingos • Auctions/Silent auctions • Community clean-ups • Charitable sports event • Bake sales • Fashion shows • Treasure hunts • Book clubs • Fair trade coffee sales • Walkathon • Raffles • Dinner party • Games night • Comedy show • Art sale • Hair cut donations • Karaoke Night • Silent Auction • Game night • Extra change box

14

Using Media to Get the w ord Out The media is an excellent way to get the word out about your fundraising initiatives and your YCI project. This includes social media! You can use local media (newspapers, radio, and TV) and online networking (websites, Facebook and mailing lists, etc). Here are some different ways to get the word out: Press Release: This is a one-page sheet of information that explains the “who, why, what, when, and how” of your fundraising efforts and the YCI project you will be participating in. You can email it to your local media representative.

Writing an Article: You can do this for your local newspaper. Submit a Letter to the Editor. You may also want to send out your article to friends and family via e-mail and post it to your travel blog!

Facebook: This online networking tool allows you to start up a group to support your fundraising and create an event profile to invite people to.

Websites: You can set up your own online website at www.blogspot.com. This gives you your own website that people can go to and see who you are, what events you are doing, and how they can donate to your cause! This is also a great way to stay in touch while you are abroad and after you return!

Emailing: This is a great way to get the word out to your friends and family about your involvement with YCI and your fundraising efforts. You can use this e-mail to direct them to the YCI website, to your own website, or to tell them about your fundraising events and how to donate to your trip. You can attach a link to your personal YCI fundraising page where they can donate through PayPal.

15

Tips and Tricks Start Early: The earlier you start thinking, planning, and actively fundraising, the sooner you will be able to meet your goal! Talk to Previous YCI Participants: It is always a good idea to speak with someone who has been through the fundraising process before – they will likely have helpful hints and ideas to share with you! Get in touch with YCI: Don’t be afraid to ask the YCI staff for help! After all, that’s what we’re here for! Spread the word: Raise awareness about what you are doing and why you are doing it to as many people as possible! Keep track of the money you raise: You should always be aware of how much money you’ve raised and where the money came from so you can send thank-you notes accordingly! Be brave and bold: Asking for financial contributions can be intimidating and difficult at first. Practice your ask and make sure you are comfortable with your message. Remember that help comes in many forms: Not everyone you ask will be able to provide monetary donations, but they may be willing to help in other ways including the donation of space, equipment, labor and/or supplies. Believe in what you are doing: This is perhaps the most important thing. If you do not believe in what you are doing, how are you going to be able to convince others? Stay motivated: Fundraising isn’t always easy and there will be challenges along the way. It is important to always keep your goal in mind. Remembering why you are doing this work will help you stay focused and motivated!

16

Past Success Stories

Hilary Strachan Vanuatu 2009, 6-week project Work/Degree: BA Geography, BA Global Studies – Wilfrid Laurier University Ontario, Canada My fundraising plans began immediately after my acceptance to YCI at the end of December 2008. From that time until the

beginning of February, I did some basic research into fundraising methods, obtained advice from friends and peers who have had experience in fundraising and developed a plan. I decided to start a letter campaign to family, friends, local business and organizations. In my letter packages I included my acceptance letter from YCI, a country profile of Vanuatu and a personal letter. I believe my letter campaign was particularly successful because of the content I included in my packages. The acceptance letter from YCI provided the organizational backing but most people require more information. Providing a country profile in your letters can greatly influence your success, especially if your project is in a less known location. I received amazing number of donations towards my project. After receiving my letter, a community organization in my neighborhood invited me to give a presentation about my YCI project placement. In this presentation I used handouts composed of my country profile and additional information to provide a guide and more background information. After a successful meeting with the committee they decided to sponsor me and donated $1,000.00. In addition to the letter campaign, I used Facebook as a networking tool to establish a group to promote a bottle drive and a penny drive as additional fundraising efforts. While both additional methods of fundraising took some dedication they definite paid off. I was able to raise just under $500.00 between collecting empty bottles and pennies/spare change. While projects and fundraising maybe daunting, it is 110% worth the effort. Fundraising is something that cannot be rushed, but good things do come in time. Remember the amount of effort you put into your fundraising is as much success that you will have. Good luck and congratulations!

17

Brandon Gee Guyana 2009, 5-week project Student, Bachelor of Commerce, University of Toronto Ontario, Canada I started planning about a month and a half before the departure date. I made a little speech that I would say to potential donors. I said it so

many times that it became second nature. My most successful fundraising effort was through family and friends. You will be surprised how many connections the people you know have. Don’t be afraid to talk to them and ask if them if they know anyone would be willing to donate to your trip. Looking back, I would not do anything differently, as I believe that everything went smoothly. Liesl Harewood Ghana 2010, 4-week program Consultant, Barbados Small Business Association Barbados I started fundraising for my YCI project in early December 2009. I was fortunate to get some part-time hostess/waitressing jobs during the Christmas season through a friend’s Event Management Company. I also sent an email out to all my friends telling them what I was embarking on and asked them if they knew of any part time employment opportunities. It turned out that a family from the U.K. with a home in Barbados was looking for a personal assistant during this time. I was able to work with them and also dog sit to earn money to contribute towards my YCI trip. In addition, I circulated the official YCI letter to business partners and also relevant agencies in Barbados and successfully received funding from some including the Youth Development Council and the Policy Development Centre. I stressed the nature of the work of my project and targeted these organizations accordingly.

If I could do it again, I would start my fundraising earlier– there are grants and scholarships out there that I was unaware of.

18

Hilary Smith Tanzania 2009, 6-week project Co-Leader for YCI’s Volunteer Action Network for HIV/AIDS in Ottawa Ontario, Canada I would have to say the most successful fundraising effort was when I hosted a concert/pub night. I had three acts perform, all of which were very important people to me; this included my brother, a good friend of mine and my former guitar teacher. I

hosted the event on a Tuesday at Yuk Yuk’s. They were willing to give me 100% of cover earnings in exchange for me having someone working the door and providing people who would buy drinks. This is sometimes the advantage of having an event during the week as opposed to weekends. I spoke in between acts and told the audience a little bit about what I would be doing overseas, about YCI and where the money was going. At the door, I had a donation box as well. I ended up earning over $700.00 and had an amazing time with friends and family in the process. I contacted Yuk Yuk’s approximately 5 weeks prior to the event. I requested posters, stickers and pamphlets from YCI. I also requested a float from Yuk Yuk’s for cover at the door as well as a microphone. If you do decide to do a concert event- make sure you ask about the PA system. Sometimes you may need to provide equipment. I advertised by going to Yuk Yuk’s and the surrounding area and asked different bars/stores if I could have permission to advertise in their windows, etc. In addition, I was able to raise awareness for my fundraising efforts through posting YCI posters in stores, bar’s entrance, windows in and around Yuk Yuks, through word of mouth, using Facebook, etc. Also, my friend is a fairly well known artist and she posted the event on her website. I would recommend giving yourself a month and a half to prepare and start planning your fundraising. Give yourself a week or two to contact different venues and find out the best opportunity for you (ie: Pint night/theme night/$ cover, etc). Allow yourself at least a month to advertize and spread the word about your event. Be creative, have fun with it. Check out what is going on in the community as well.

19

Appendices

SAMPLE APPEAL LETTER TEMPLATES

Sample Appeal Letter #1

[Your Address] [Date] [Their Address] Dear __________: I would appreciate the opportunity to speak briefly at the August executive committee meeting about a volunteer program that I am currently involved in and how your organization/business can get involved. Earlier this year I had to make some very important decisions in my life. I was graduating from Earl Haig Secondary School and had to decide what my plans would be after graduation. There were a few things that I was certain about: that following graduation I wanted to continue learning about the world around me; gain a different perspective on life; and contribute to the global community. With these goals in mind, I applied to volunteer with Youth Challenge International (YCI), an international youth development organization. This fall, I will be volunteering in Costa Rica for 10 weeks with YCI. YCI is a non-profit organization that promotes global youth development and to date has sent more than 3,000 Canadian and American volunteers overseas. To make this incredible opportunity a reality, I must raise [your participation fee + travel] to support YCI’s programs. I am also expected to acquire essential project related skills such as Spanish, learning about Costa Rica and development issues. I will be volunteering in Costa Rica from September to November 2010. While in Costa Rica, I will live and work with a small team of volunteers (from Canada and other countries) to complete powerful community-based projects. YCI teams are involved in health, education and environmental projects. The benefits of the YCI program are several. The host communities and youth in Costa Rica will benefit from the many volunteer work projects. The knowledge and experience I will gain overseas will help me to develop professional and personal skills. Our community will also benefit from the many volunteer hours that YCI participants (including myself) will work upon our return to Canada. By being involved with the YCI program, you will be supporting youth and community development both in our community, as well as overseas. Enclosed, you will find literature concerning Youth Challenge International. I sincerely hope you will consider sponsoring me and I look forward to speaking with the committee on March 5, 2010. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at (204) 555-1212. Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, [Your Name]

20

Sample Appeal Letter #2

[Your Address] [Date] [Their Address] Dear __________: I would appreciate the opportunity to speak briefly at the August executive committee meeting about a volunteer program that I am currently involved in and how your business can get involved. Youth Challenge International (YCI) is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. YCI’s programs are designed to meet the needs of youth affected by poverty through three integrated sectors: youth livelihoods, youth health and youth leadership. YCI accomplishes these objectives by engaging youth ages 18 to 30 in overseas volunteer projects. They provide youth with the opportunity to live and work on community-based projects in Costa Rica, Guyana, Guatemala, Ghana, and Tanzania. From September until November 2010, I will be volunteering in Tanzania with YCI. While in Tanzania, I will have the opportunity to develop personal and professional skills while contributing to youth development programming. As a YCI volunteer, I will work closely with local community members, partner organizations and local youth to implement programs related to sexual reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, literacy, environmental awareness and human rights. However, in order to participate, I am required to fundraise $3700 for YCI’s global youth development programs. I am also responsible for the travel costs to and from Tanzania, as well as the costs of personal equipment, vaccinations and other expenses associated with volunteering overseas. As such, I’m seeking community and business partners to sponsor me to participate in YCI’s global youth development projects. YCI is a registered charity in Canada and all donations are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Not only will the knowledge and experience I gain overseas help me to develop professional and personal skills, I am also pledging to turn my global perspectives into action by volunteering a minimum of 100 hours upon my return. By sponsoring my participation, you will be supporting youth and community development overseas, as well as in our community. Enclosed, you will find literature concerning Youth Challenge International. I sincerely hope you will consider sponsoring me. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at (204) 555-1212. Thank you in advance for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, [Your Name]

21

22

23

Sample Press Release

Brampton Student Chosen to Change Lives in Africa Brampton, ON, 05 Feb 07 - Rosana Filipe, a student at Sheridan College, has been chosen as a

volunteer by Youth Challenge International, to venture overseas to work with youth. She will

be working in Tanzania for a ten week project, leaving in June 2007, focusing on youth

development issues, HIV/AIDS awareness and support, as well as gender equality issues.

Youth Challenge International (YCI) is a non-profit/non-religious organization that sends young

Canadians abroad to affect positive change in developing nations. Since its inception in 1989,

YCI has sent over 2500 Canadian youth overseas to work with local Non-Governmental

Organizations on hands-on projects that address the real challenges that these countries face.

By working at the local community level, YCI and its volunteers help to create effective and

measurable changes that improve the livelihoods of young people and their families.

Filipe, 23, who hails from a rural town, and has always felt a passion for helping others, sees

this as an opportunity unparallel to any other. This is an opportunity to grow through a

challenging process that will provide her with leadership skills, problem solving experience,

and global education. This is an opportunity to touch others, by giving them skills and support

that are not available to them, be it because of region or resource, in Tanzania. This is an

opportunity to inspire. Filipe has always held a strong belief in the power of one, and believes

that this is the chance to prove that one person really can make a difference. This is her

chance to use her 'one' to inspire ten, that ten to inspire ten more each, and for the movement

to grow exponentially thus forth.

In order to make this incredible opportunity a reality Filipe must raise $4000 to support the

Youth Challenge Program, plus travel, equipment, and medical costs; a staggering total of

almost $7000. Including corporate sponsorship requests, fundraising events and support from

friends and family, Filipe is asking for the support of the community. With your help, she is

going to be able to make a difference. With your help she is going to be able to change lives.

"It's not just about being able to write a check. It's being able to touch somebody's life." -

Oprah Winfrey For more information contact Rosana Filipe, at awareness.ssuidavis@sheridanc.on.ca, or call 905-459-7533 extension 5318. For information on Youth Challenge International visit www.yci.org.

24

YCI Fact Sheet Who is Youth Challenge International? Mission: Building Communities and Leaders Through Global Youth Development Vision: Youth Innovation Drives Positive Change Youth Challenge International is an international youth development organization. YCI works with local Canadian youth and international local youth to promote positive change. YCI focuses on youth because young people increasingly face challenges that are universal: few opportunities to contribute to their community’s development, rising unemployment rates, difficulty in accessing education, mounting health concerns and the degradation of their environments. There are over 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 10 and 24 living in the world today. With roughly 89% of youth residing in the developing world, young people make up well over half of the national population in many countries. Despite their sizeable presence, youth are a surprisingly underserved and under-engaged demographic. In response to these challenges, YCI’s programs are focused within three key sectors that address the needs of developing country youth: Youth Health, Youth Livelihoods and Youth Leadership. Youth Health

• YCI delivers education, prevention and support services that focus on the most important issues affecting young people’s health today: sexual and reproductive health, family planning, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and substance abuse.

Youth Livelihoods

• YCI provides basic livelihood and employability training to youth including language and computer literacy and supports youth-led small business development through our global partnerships.

Youth Leadership

• YCI collaborates with community leaders to create mentorship opportunities; mobilizes youth to participate in the electoral process, encourages local youth in civic engagement and youth-led small scale community initiatives; identifies appropriate community forums for youth participation; and provides training opportunities for young people to strengthen their leadership skills.

YCI is the only development organization in North America with an explicit focus on youth in all aspects of our work - we involve Canadian and American youth volunteers overseas, we develop the skills and abilities of youth in developing countries, and we advocate for youth rights and involvement in development decision-making. History of Youth Challenge International In 1989, the energy and enthusiasm of past Operation Raleigh participants, volunteers and sponsors in Canada, came together to form Youth Challenge International (YCI). The

25

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) provided the necessary start-up capital and partially funded YCI’s inaugural project in Guyana (1990). In 1991, YCI began field projects in Costa Rica and Youth Challenge organizations were founded in Guyana, Costa Rica and Australia. YCI expanded programming to Africa in 2004 with new projects in Tanzania and Ethiopia and began working in Ghana in 2007. Past programs have also included projects in Nicaragua, Panama, Grenada, Kenya, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Purpose of Fundraising Volunteer fundraising helps to fund YCI’s global youth development programs. While YCI receives funding from the Canadian International Development Agency and other donors, nearly half of YCI’s funding is derived from participants going on project. In order to ensure that the organization has sufficient funds to operate and to achieve its development objectives, participants are required to reach a minimum fundraising target. All proceeds will be used by YCI to support its global youth development programs in South America, Central America, and Africa. Fundraising is also an excellent exercise in project planning and leadership that benefits our volunteers. YCI strives to assist participants by offering advice and cooperation in their fundraising efforts. Use of Donor Dollars YCI programming focuses on sustainable youth development, which means that all overhead costs are kept to a minimum to maximize the efficiency of our programs, on both the local and international level. 88% of all dollars fundraised go towards programming costs. These funds are used to support and create sustainability for local partner organizations, and to provide resources for our partners to create independent programs. Programming costs include:

• Development programming and long-term management costs • The recruitment, selection and placement of volunteers • Volunteer management costs such as:

o Preparatory support and pre-project distance learning o In-country training o Modest local accommodations and food while on project o In-country work-related travel o Comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance

12% of dollars fundraised go towards administrative costs, including:

• Office rent and expenses, computers, communications, insurance, accounting, legal costs and administrative salaries to keep the organization professionally managed.

YCI uses your fundraising with care and respect. We are audited by the Canadian Government and audited annually by an independently selected auditor. For more information on our finances, please see our annual report and audited financial statements, which are available on our website.