Before you approach individuals or organizations about helping you, you should develop a summary of your service project. It should include what you want to do, who you will help, location for the project, what supplies are needed, approximate cost, and who you need to help you do the project.

Talk with your family and friends about the project and recruit them to help you.

There are several different ways to fund a service project.

Partner with another non-profit organization

Think about what other non-profits might be interested in the kind of service project you're doing. You can find the phone numbers for most organizations in the white pages of the phone book. You can also do an internet search to locate organizations in your community. Also, check out our volunteer opps page for organizations and our links page. Call and ask to speak with the Director. Tell him/her about your project. Have your project description in front of you when you make the call. Ask if they would like to partner with you. If they can't, ask them to suggest other organizations that might work with you. Don't get discouraged...Keep calling because someone will want to help! Then, set up a face to face meeting to discuss what you want to do and plan it together.

Get in-kind Donations

Call local retailers and ask to speak with the manager. Tell them about your project and ask them to donate some of the supplies you need. Many businesses have a yearly budget for donations.

Get Donations from Local Businesses

Call local businesses or business people you know. Tell them about your project and ask if they'd like to be a sponsor by making a donation. Develop a letter about your project and mail it or hand deliver it to them.

See the below sponsor letter example. You can write one that is shorter, but make sure you share enough detail about your project.

Do a fundraiser like a car wash, bake sale, penny/quarter collection at your school, or other fundraiser to collect the money you need for your project. Some stores like Wal-Mart will allow groups to stand out in front of their store and ask for donations. Before you do this, call the store manager and ask for permission. Then, recruit friends to help you. Some restaurants will let you work for them for an evening. They let you do simple stuff like cleaning off tables and directing customers to their seats. You can earn tips (have a tip bucket where customers enter and exit the restaurant) and the restaurant will give you a percentage of the profit for the evening. For other fundraaising ideas do an internet search with the word "fundraising."

Apply for a Grant

Applying for a grant is a great way to fund your project. Some organizations such as Chances for Indiana Youth have a youth grant review board that reviews grant applications and gives assistance to worthy projects. (YAR) Youth As Resource is the review board for Chances for Indiana Youth. The board meets the third Monday of each month to review applications. To request a YAR application and instructions, contact Dottie Ferency at 812-232-5190. The Wabash Valley Community Foundation also has a youth grant review board. For information regarding this grant, contact the foundation at 812-232-2234 or go to their website, www.wvcf.com and go to grantwriting and then download a junior grant application. Other businesses such as local banks or retailers may have a donation or grant process. Just call and ask them if they do and ask for instructions for applying.

You can also contact non-profit organizations in your community and ask them if they can suggest where you can apply for a grant. Applying for a grant isn't hard. You'll need a clear plan for your project and must be able to communicate this in writing or in conversation. Practice with family or friends.

There are foundations and organizations like this in most communities who will offer help to youth doing service projects. Call your area Chamber of Commerce or ask a teacher or parent who you might contact in your area.