Funding Your Trip

There are a number of ways to help fund your trip with International Service Learning (ISL).   Here’s a primer of possibilities. In all cases, the secret is to start early and keep at it.  We always stand ready to help in any way we can.

Paid Campus Representative Program. Earn cash or travel credits by making presentations to campus organizations, managing on-campus communications, or establishing ISL chapters of trip alumni and interested students.  Pay depends on the number of students recruited for international teams.  Travel and administrative expenses are paid, and we provide materials for you to set up a table at your school and others in the area.  Getting started: Contact Diannah Fields-Brown at Diannah@ISLonline.org

Sponsorship program. Most students raise funds in this way. People like to sponsor students-don’t be embarrassed to let us send a letter asking for personal donations (you address the letters to friends, family, and neighbors).  Getting started: Send the name your circle of family and friends will recognize, and indicate if you want to use a religious or a secular letter.  Samples are available for examination, but not for use.  You may also create your own letter by adapting ours (with our approval, since it goes out under our name).

See Sponsorship Program – How it works for details and Sponsorship Agreement for more information.

Local service clubs (see list below) will often contribute to a service project like this, especially if you return with a report and presentation to their organization. Getting started: First contact the clubs with which you or one of your acquaintances have a relationship. Then contact the rest of the service clubs in your area.  If they can’t help, ask them who they would recommend to contact (both organizations and individuals).   If they would like you to do a presentation BEFORE you go, we can supply you with slides, a power point presentation, or additional information.

• Rotary International
• Kiwanis International
• Civitan International
• Soroptomists International
• Optimists International
• Women’s Aglow International
• Lions International
• Key Club International
• Shriners
• Zonta International
• Junior Chamber of Commerce
• Chamber of Commerce
• Knights of Columbus
• Elks Club
• Moose Lodge
• LULAC
• Native Daughters of the American West
• Other contacts for sponsorship are:  local banks, supermarkets, discount stores, and businesses.

If you are taking a course in conjunction with your ISL project, most schools will adjust your financial aid package to include help for this program. Getting started: Contact the financial aid officer at your school. Let them know you will be receiving academic credit through the school–this is a critical point. They may contact us for more information.

If you are active in a church, most churches have mission societies or other groups (men’s and women’s fellowships, Sunday School classes, fraternal organizations, etc.) that enjoy sponsoring students’ mission trips. Getting started: With your parent(s), contact the Pastor to find out how to make the appropriate contact with these groups.

The campus ministry on your campus will often have access to special funds for this purpose. Getting started: Contact your campus pastor.

If you are a Lutheran student, and you have mailed out sponsorship letters and contacted your church first, an organization called ASSIST’EM will attempt to assist you with up to one half of your uncovered costs. Getting started: Contact Rev. Mike Malinski at (812) 372-1571 or e-mail to mmalinsky@stpeters-columbus.org.

You’ll be surprised how well it can all come together with some work.  Let us know how we can help you!

Hmm. Pictures are supposed to be here...