Funding Your Volunteer Trip: Scholarships and Grants

Volunteer trips offer incredible opportunities for personal growth and making a positive impact. However, the costs can be a barrier. This article explores how to fund your volunteer trip through scholarships and grants, with a focus on opportunities for college students. You'll learn about different funding options, application tips, and hear from volunteers who successfully funded their trips.

Understanding Volunteer Trips and Their Costs

Volunteer trips, also known as voluntourism, involve traveling to a destination to participate in volunteer work. These trips can range from a few weeks to several months and cover various fields like education, healthcare, conservation, and community development. While the experience is enriching, the costs can be significant, including travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and program fees.

For many, especially college students, these costs can be daunting. However, there are numerous scholarships and grants available to help offset these expenses. Understanding the types of funding available and how to apply for them is crucial.

Scholarships for Volunteer Trips

Scholarships are a popular way to fund volunteer trips. They are typically merit-based or need-based and can cover part or all of the trip costs. Here are some scholarships specifically for volunteer trips:

1. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: This scholarship is for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding. It provides awards for study abroad programs, including volunteer trips.

2. The Boren Awards: These awards provide funding for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests. Volunteer components can be included in the study abroad program.

3. The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA): FEA offers scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students planning to study abroad, including volunteer programs.

4. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program: This program offers fully-funded summer language institutes for U.S. university students, which can include volunteer opportunities.

When applying for scholarships, it's essential to start early, research thoroughly, and tailor your application to each scholarship's requirements. Highlight your passion for volunteerism and how the trip aligns with your academic and career goals.

Grants for Volunteer Trips

Grants are another excellent way to fund volunteer trips. Unlike scholarships, grants are often project-based and may require a specific proposal or plan. Here are some grants to consider:

1. The Pollination Project: This organization provides seed grants to individual change-makers, including volunteers, to start new projects or expand existing ones.

2. The Davis Projects for Peace: This grant is for undergraduate students to design grassroots projects that promote peace and address the root causes of conflict.

3. The Humanity in Action Fellowship: This fellowship brings together international groups of university students and recent graduates to explore issues of social justice and human rights, often including volunteer components.

When applying for grants, focus on the impact of your volunteer project. Clearly outline your goals, the community's needs, and how the grant will help achieve those goals.

Tips for Applying to Scholarships and Grants

Applying for scholarships and grants can be competitive, but with the right approach, you can increase your chances of success. Here are some tips:

1. Start Early: Begin your search and application process well in advance of your trip. Some scholarships and grants have deadlines months before the trip.

2. Research Thoroughly: Look for funding opportunities that align with your volunteer trip's focus, your academic background, and your personal interests.

3. Tailor Your Application: Customize your application for each scholarship or grant. Highlight how your volunteer trip aligns with the funding organization's mission and goals.

4. Show Passion and Commitment: Demonstrate your dedication to volunteerism and how the trip will contribute to your personal and professional growth.

5. Seek Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or community leaders can bolster your application.

6. Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application is free of errors and clearly communicates your message.

Personal Experiences and Insights

To provide a more authentic perspective, let's hear from volunteers who successfully funded their trips through scholarships and grants.

Sarah's Story: Sarah, a college student majoring in environmental science, wanted to volunteer in a conservation project in Costa Rica. She applied for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and was awarded $5,000, which covered her program fees and travel expenses. "The scholarship not only made my trip possible but also enhanced my resume and opened doors for future opportunities," she says.

Michael's Experience: Michael, a recent graduate, received a grant from The Pollination Project to start a community garden in a low-income neighborhood. "The grant allowed me to purchase supplies and engage the community in a meaningful way. It was a life-changing experience," he shares.

These stories highlight the transformative power of funded volunteer trips and the opportunities they provide.

Conclusion

Funding your volunteer trip through scholarships and grants is achievable with research, preparation, and persistence. By understanding the available options and tailoring your applications, you can turn your volunteer dreams into reality.