Fund Your Journey

Bring Your United Planet Journey to Life

At United Planet, we recognize that accessing global travel and experiential learning opportunities can sometimes require additional support. That’s why we’ve created resources to help you bridge that gap and bring your journey to life.

Fundraising is one of the most powerful ways to do this. By inviting the people and communities around you to become part of your experience. Friends, family, schools, churches, community groups, businesses, and organizations are often more willing to support a journey when they understand what it’s for and why it matters to you.

Whether you’re just getting started or already on your way, there are simple, practical steps and creative ideas that can help you move closer to your goal.

Explore the Fundraising Guide Hear from past fundraisers

United Planet fundraising and volunteer experience

Fundraising is more than raising money. It’s about sharing your story, building connections, and allowing others to take part in something meaningful.

Need help getting started?

A Practical Guide to Fundraising

We’ve created a Fundraising Guide to support you in understanding how fundraising works, exploring different approaches, and discovering ideas you can put into action right away.

Download the United Planet Fundraising Guide

Start where you are.

Your journey is something that can be shared and supported. Start where you are, use what you have, and invite others to be part of what you’re creating.

Tell your story Build connections Take action

United Planet participant experience in Ecuador

Hear From Others

Real People. Creative Fundraising. Meaningful Journeys.

Meet some of the people who have taken the step to fundraise for their journey. From reaching out to friends and family to organizing creative fundraisers and connecting with organizations, they’ve discovered that support can come from places they never expected.

Creativity + Community

Liz: Turning a Love for Dogs and Baking Into $1,300+

Before her volunteer trip to Romania, Liz wanted to find a creative way to help fund her journey. Inspired by her love of dogs and baking, she started “Paws for a Cause,” selling homemade dog treats and gift baskets to friends, family, coworkers, and her community.

She started fundraising as soon as she enrolled and raised over $1,300 toward her trip, with several months still to go.

“Anything is possible regardless of time and money. If you get creative and develop a plan, you can do it!”

Liz’s story is a great reminder that fundraising doesn’t have to mean simply asking for donations. Think about what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and how you can turn it into an opportunity to raise funds and bring others into your journey.

Resources + Persistence

Andrew: Making the Most of Campus Resources

Andrew and seven fellow students from Claremont McKenna College volunteered in Guatemala for nine days. Instead of relying solely on personal funds, they looked around their campus for opportunities to support their journey.

The group secured $2,600 through a campus leadership grant, received additional funding from the Dean of Students and Human Rights Institute, and earned $500–$600 by helping clean up after campus events.

Their fundraising efforts cut the total cost of their Quest, including airfare, by more than half.

“If you are a student group, try to find an applicable department on campus to ask for funding. Overall, just try to use your resources!”

Andrew’s story shows that fundraising opportunities may be closer than you think. Look around your campus, community, and network, you may be surprised by what’s available.