Step by step: How to stick to ethical fundraising for a student charity trip

Whilst at university, you’ll notice various marketing flyers and sign-up sheets for annual student charity trips.

From adventurous climbs up Mount Everest to tropical ventures in the Sahara desert, fees for these events are often linked to important global charities.

By raising money and awareness for crucial causes, many students choose to fundraise for their trip abroad through random acts of kindness and money making schemes.

What often gets overlooked, however, is the ethics of the student’s fundraising practices.

Where does all the money coming from? Source: Giphy

It’s always important to know that your fundraising efforts are fair and ethical, otherwise, it defeats the purpose of raising money for a charity looking to enhance the social well-being of others.

According to the National Council of Nonprofits (NCP), there are rules to be followed if you truly want your fundraising efforts to be ethical. They have highlighted four key factors…

Accountability to donors

To show respect to those who’ve donated to your fundraising efforts, it’s great to demonstrate a high level of accountability to donors.

You can do this by:

• Providing donors with a report of your fundraising target and success so far.
• Presenting donors with visual evidence of your trip and its progress.
• Listing the donor’s name on your list of appreciation (if they ask) to show that they’re supportive and co-operative.

Refine your sense of responsibility. Source: Giphy

Transparency about fundraising costs

It’s always a good idea to be transparent about your fundraising costs. For instance, did you need to use a small portion of the money for postage costs or for flyer prints? By being honest about your fundraising fees, you’re more likely to get more contributions.

Remember that it’s ok to have expenses – money doesn’t grow on trees.

And by being responsible for these, it demonstrates to future employers that you’re a mature and transparent individual who can be trusted.

Transparency always helps. Source: Giphy

Acknowledging donations

Receive all donations with thanks.

Even if it’s not a big bag of shiny coins, you should still thank your fellow friends and supporters for their time and effort during your charity campaign.

By showing appreciation for smaller things, you’ll be ready to take on the bigger things like your future climb up Everest and the communities you’ll one day impact with your good will.

Receive with thanks. Source: Giphy

Anonymous donations

If one of your donors decides to remain anonymous, you should allow it.

For whatever reason, they aren’t comfortable with their name or company to be associated with the cause. Instead of questioning it, the ethical thing to do would be to let it slide and be thankful for their generous offer.

Privacy must always be respected. Source: Giphy

By reading these tips, you should have a stronger understanding about the ethics of fundraising and hopefully you’ll have the confidence to transform these key points into actions.

Good luck on your charity trip and your ethical fundraising ventures!

Liked this? Then you’ll love…

Step by step: How to set up your own student society 

Step by step: How to apply to medical school in the US