Fundraising tips from the best! Day 2: Erica Danniele Knotts!

Fundraising tips from the best! Day 2: Erica Danniele Knotts !
My friend Erica went on Volunteer Corps to Philadelphia, Malaysia, and India as a student, and this year, as a young professional, she went on the Bolivia trip in July, and as I type this, she is on her way to New Zealand for another Volunteer Corps. With all five trips, Erica raised the full amount herself, including the cost of her flights! How did she do it? Read on...
"Coming from a small church that can't afford to sponsor anyone, I have definitely had to learn how to get creative and it starts with speaking up.
One of the things which has helped me a lot this year is actually reaching out in the community. Everyone seems to have a GoFundMe these days, which is great but overwhelming. Face to face connection has been much better. When I would go shopping or attend a meeting, I would simply talk to people around me. Through sharing what I was doing, I received the opportunity to speak to Kiwanis by one of their members and they offered me a $250 scholarship.
It also helps to keep some information about your program with you as a handout. Include your contact information and if you are willing to provide any services (babysitting, housesitting/cleaning, transcribing/editing, etc).
Because I shared with as many people as possible what I was doing, I received several house sitting/pet sitting gigs which essentially paid for both my trips this year. You never know until you ask, so making connections in your community can have a surprising impact.
Of course prayer and trusting that God will open the doors is key. Always be praying when preparing for a trip/fundraising.
Other tips include: sell some stuff you don't use anymore, talk to your church leaders to see if they can help you organize a fundraiser, do some pet siting/house sitting gigs, collect all your change, and see if you can do a coin/change collection, do a church parent date night and gather a few friends to watch the kids, host a game/poker night with a split the pot buy in or a dinner night."