Campus Fundraising

Feminism is global and in order to work as allies of women around the world who encounter constant barriers to their fundamental human rights, it is important to be aware of their struggles to achieve equality. Now, more than ever, we must be educated and empowered to act upon what we learn. On April 9-11, 2005, the Feminist Majority Foundation's National Collegiate Global Women's and Human Rights Conference explored the interconnectedness of issues such as global poverty, sweatshops, the degradation of the environment, as well as restrictions on women's rights, particularly reproductive rights. The student delegations in attendance gained a better understanding of global perspectives and devised action plans at the Conference that they then brought back to their campus.

The following fundraising ideas apply to any project you are raising money for, but we hope you will also use them to raise money in order to attend an upcoming Regional Collegiate Global Women's and Human Rights Conference near you!

• First, assess your costs and fundraising goals. Figure out how much it is going to cost for your delegation to go to the Conference, and calculate the amount you need to raise.
• Put together a written proposal for funding for the Conference. Focus on how your representation at the Conference will benefit your college or university. Emphasize the educational aspect of the Conference—you will be learning more about global perspectives on the most critical issues of our day.
• Keep track of your progress and goal as you fundraise—this builds momentum and excitement for your delegation.

Ask your school for money:

• Request funds from student government or student activities. Remember to request funds early in the semester, and ask for more than you think you'll get (they'll give you less than you ask for). Many have special funds earmarked for sending students to national events.
• Request meetings with the Directors of academic departments like Women's Studies, Political Science, African American Studies, Latina(o) Studies, Queer Studies, Sociology, and other progressive disciplines to see if they can help to fund your trip.
• Ask Deans and administrators about discretionary funds they have access to, and how to apply for those funds. Boards of Trustees often have discretionary funds also.
• Is there a Women's Alumnae Association that might donate money? If so, try asking the President for a group donation, or send a fundraising mailing to the members. If your campus does not have a Women's Alumnae Association, try asking progressive members of the general Alumni Association.
• When you submit your student group's operating budget for approval, include a specific request for travel/lodging/conference funds for Conference.

TIP: When speaking to administrators and faculty, focus on how the Conference will be a beneficial learning experience for students.

Create a fundraising coalition of other progressive groups on your campus and in the community:

• Ask other student groups if they would be willing to put some of their budget towards your fundraising efforts.
• Meet with other groups' fundraising officers to get suggestions and share ideas.
• Host a large event, such as a Rock for Choice TM concert, with an outside community group. Check out www.feminist.org for more info on this concert idea.
• If you ask outside organizations for funding, give them a rough estimate of how much the trip will cost per attendee. Create a program where a group can sponsor and their members can put money towards sending one or more students to the Conference.
• Ask local small businesses if they will donate fundraising items the Conference delegation or contribute money to your delegation.
• Partner with a local feminist community group to do a joint fundraiser. Half of the proceeds can go to them and half towards your delegation.

Sell pro-choice and progressive products and let people know that the proceeds go towards sending students to the Conference:

• Make or buy buttons with pro-choice slogans and sell them.
• Host an open-mic night or coffeehouse and charge for admission and snacks.
• Invite a feminist vendor or artist to sell her or his products on campus and ask for 20-25% of the proceeds.
• Cook large quantities of food, especially hard-to-find specialties like vegetarian entrees, and offer “home delivery” of dinner to students' dorms for $5-$7.

Get creative!

• Make and sell a feminist calendar with important dates in women's history and photographs of campus and/or nationally known feminists.
• Hold a women's/feminist art show in a school gallery and charge admission.
• Use the artistic talents of your group members to your advantage – offer to design flyers and posters for other groups in exchange for a donation to the Conference fund.
• Put your athletic skills to work and organize a sporting event, such as a 5K run, softball/soccer/volleyball tournament, rugby game, and charge a fee per player or team. This is also a great way to spread the word about the Conference.