| Do you have a good idea for an adventure, but | | | | about what you plan to do and ask for their |
| don't have the funds to put it into action? Will this | | | | support. Even if they don't donate any money |
| adventure interest people with an educational, | | | | they can still send your proposal out to all of their |
| scientific, environmental, humanitarian or historical | | | | internet friends, and those friends can forward |
| value? Could this adventure generate publicity? If | | | | the proposal to their friends as well. In this way |
| so, you can get sponsors to pay for your | | | | your proposal may go viral. |
| adventure through an expedition. | | | | Send your proposal to relevant professional bodies |
| The first thing to do is to clearly define your goal | | | | and businesses, universities, politicians, prominent |
| and plan the expedition. You need to thoroughly | | | | scientists, exploration societies and organizations. |
| answer the following questions: | | | | Make sure that you include benefits that they will |
| 1) Who? | | | | receive for their active interest. "The Directory of |
| 2) What? | | | | Grant-Making Trusts" at your library will help you |
| 3) When? | | | | find the appropriate sponsors, as will an internet |
| 4) Where? | | | | search for "Grant-Making Trusts." |
| 5) Why? | | | | Collect your supportive statements and names, |
| 6) How? | | | | goals, and plans and put it all together for a media |
| Contact organizations to help you with the | | | | release. Send this release to newspapers, |
| planning. The National Geographic Society (NGS) | | | | magazines, radio shows and television news |
| has a huge collection of information about | | | | programs, asking for support from universities, |
| adventure and the world. They also fund | | | | governments, private institutions, and other |
| expeditions. The Royal Geographical Society | | | | organizations. Again, make sure that you include |
| (RGS) maintains an Expedition Advisory Center. | | | | benefits (like publicity) that these groups will |
| The Center has listings of expeditions, people | | | | receive for their support. |
| interested in attending expeditions, experts and | | | | You can also host fundraising events. This is an |
| books. RGS offers grants for expeditions and | | | | excellent way to get your message out to the |
| provides links to other grant resources. | | | | media. Once your fundraiser has been planned |
| Put up a website or blog that details the goals, | | | | contact media outlets with the relevant details of |
| benefits and amount of funding needed for your | | | | your fundraiser. Let them know that they are |
| expedition. Update the site regularly with any | | | | invited to attend, and that you are available for |
| progress that is being made towards your | | | | interviews. |
| expedition. Be sure to include a donation payment | | | | Follow up prospective sponsors with a telephone |
| button, your email address, telephone number and | | | | call and ask for a meeting when possible. At the |
| a way to capture potential donor's email | | | | meeting clearly and enthusiastically present your |
| addresses (this can be an autoresponder | | | | expedition idea, and play heavily on the benefits |
| program). | | | | the organization is likely to receive for donating |
| You will also want to make a page on This | | | | funds. |
| website specializes in helping people and | | | | Once the expedition is over write a report of the |
| organizations raise money. | | | | results obtained. And be sure to thank everyone |
| Contact your family, friends and colleagues with | | | | for their donations and support. Repeat this |
| your expedition proposal. Ask them to contact all | | | | process over and over again and you will have |
| of their friends and acquaintances as well. A great | | | | enough money to do anything you like from |
| way to do this is through social networking | | | | anywhere in the world. |
| websites. Let all of your internet friends know | | | | |