Patriot Fundraising Kit
Instructions
Fundraising letters is the most popular way PA students have raised their tuition.
We also listed a short compilation of ideas, to spark your creativity and remind you how customizable fundraising can be. Browse through the ideas here, and decide what would best suit your strengths and contacts.
There are several things to remember as you decide your plan of action.
- These are ideas, not rules. Make them your own. Mix and match methods, or use them to springboard into something completely different.
- These are tools, not formulas. The missing element here is you. None of this works unless you take ownership of your own fundraising and get proactive about it. Have a plan. Make it happen!
- Don’t forget we’re here for you! If you could use some help or advice, contact your mentor or a member of the Cabinet. We’d count it a privilege to assist…have at it, Patriots!
- Sending out a fundraising letter to family and friends allows to you contact a large number of the people who care about you, explain your vision, and ask for their support. Below are some sample letters you can use as templates for creating your own.
- A FEW TIPS:
- 1. If you’re using one of these sample letters, check it carefully to make sure you’ve fully included all your own information. The default Academy for these letters is TX; if you’re going to a regional Academy, change the location information.
- 2. Since you’re sending a request letter for support, a thank you letter to any donors, sharing your experiences (stories, a list of lessons learned, pictures, etc.) after the event, is a great gesture.
- 3. Ask that donations be sent in sufficient time for you to submit them by the deadline.
- 4. Note that donations to Patriot Academy are tax-deductible, so please clearly ask donors to address donations to Patriot Academy, not you!
16 Fundraising Ideas
1. Approach your area community service clubs (VFW, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce) and ask them to sponsor you for $100 (if you can, research their giving policies ahead.)
4. Develop an online giving campaign (Go Fund Me, Facebook, etc) where people can donate directly. Many students have had good success with this initiative.
5. Design and distribute a brochure about the event you want to attend, explaining why you want to be a part of it. It gives donors something to keep with them and provides a great reminder of your goal.
6. Ask a donor to match donations you receive, either at a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio. It is a great way to motivate people to contribute, knowing that their investment will double through matched funds.
7. Babysitting for a cause. Let them know you will babysit in exchange for an online donation toward your PA-Capitol Boot Camp tuition.
8. Hold a garage sale, or better yet, put those never used items on eBay, or FB marketplace, or Craigs list.
9. If you are graduating this year, ask for tuition donations to your PA Capitol Boot Camp instead of graduation gifts.
10. Have a car wash.
11. Mow lawns.
12. Invite people to your birthday party and ask for donations instead of gifts.
13. Organize a service raffle. Get a few friends or family to donate their time to washing cars, childcare, etc., and have church members or community clubs buy raffle tickets for $3-5/each.
14. Ask businesses around town with a lot of administrative labor type work to contribute to you in exchange for completing administrative work in their office.
15. Have an auction of items donated by friends, family, or businesses at your church, school or community organizations.
16. Ask a veteran to sponsor you. Explain that you appreciate the sacrifices he/she made to protect your freedom and that you want to learn to accept the torch of freedom and pass it on to the next generation. Your interest and appreciation of their sacrifice for your freedom means a great deal.
