AFS has helped thousands of students raise money for their AFS experience by providing strategies, ideas, and examples of what works well for students. Raising money for at least part of your experience will provide you with invaluable skills that will serve you well in the years ahead. Put your creativity, resourcefulness, and perseverance to work and you’ll find plenty of people who are willing and wanting to help you.
Key Steps to Fundraising:- Estimate how much your program will cost
Remember to include domestic airfare to an AFS departure city, and any visa and passport fees you might incur. Estimate $100-$300 in spending money per month, depending on your habits and your host country. - Figure out what you can contribute
Include savings and what you may earn from part-time or summer employment. - Ask your parents what they can contribute
Have them calculate all the money they will save during your experience on groceries, transportation, clothing, entertainment, etc. - Raise money
Let your friends, family, school, and everyone in your community know that you’re planning to study abroad with AFS and that you need their help to do it. - Decide on the fundraising project that fits you best
AFS Returnees have developed many creative ways to raise money and you can learn a lot through their experiences. Just check the box on your Preliminary Application to learn more, call 1-800-AFS-INFO, or visit the AFS Fundraising Wiki– a place for AFSers to share fundraising ideas. AFS also offers fundraising training conference calls.
AFS is committed to making our programs available to qualified students through fundraising support, as well as financial aid and scholarship assistance.
Where Does the Money Go?
Program Costs Abroad=37%
• Host family recruitment • Screening of host families • AFS application processing • Student placement • Orientation for students/families
• Counseling for students/families • Volunteer recruitment
• Volunteer training • Volunteer support • Domestic travel to and from host family
Program Costs in the U.S.=23%
• Promotion of AFS programs to students, parents, schools, and community representatives • Recruitment, screening, selection, and placement of students • Orientation for students and families
• Counseling for students/families • Volunteer recruitment
• Volunteer training • Volunteer support • Program and preparation materials • Host country information • Scholarships and support
International Travel=17%
• International airefare and related costs • Ticket handling and processing • Airport supervision and transfers
International Program Coordination=8%
• Coordinating AFS international exchanges • Coordinating emergency response services • Maintaining worldwide compliance with AFS program quality and operations standards
Management and Financial Support=15%
• Staff support for AFS programs and financial management • Office and equipment depreciation • Information services • Compliance with quality standards of U.S. Government • Compliance with Council on Standards for International Educational Travel
