Making overseas trips possible without overwhelming volunteers
Fundraising for international trips can feel like a big challenge, especially when volunteers are already juggling planning, safeguarding, and logistics.
Whether you’re organising a Scout or Guide trip abroad, a school exchange, a sports competition overseas, or a youth group adventure, international travel offers incredible opportunities but also comes with significant costs. For many UK-based groups, fundraising is what makes these experiences possible.
If you’re looking for realistic, manageable ideas for fundraising for international trips, you’re not alone. Many groups want to raise meaningful amounts without constantly asking supporters for donations or putting extra pressure on their volunteers.
Fundraising for international trips can feel like a big challenge, especially when volunteers are already juggling planning, safeguarding, and logistics.
Whether you’re organising a Scout or Guide trip abroad, a school exchange, a sports competition overseas, or a youth group adventure, international travel offers incredible opportunities but also comes with significant costs. For many UK-based groups, fundraising is what makes these experiences possible.
If you’re looking for realistic, manageable ideas for fundraising for international trips, you’re not alone. Many groups want to raise meaningful amounts without constantly asking supporters for donations or putting extra pressure on their volunteers.
Why fundraising for international trips is different
Fundraising for overseas travel isn’t the same as raising money for day-to-day activities.
Groups planning international trips often need to:
Volunteers are already giving a huge amount of time, which is why the most successful fundraising approaches tend to be low-risk, flexible, and easy to manage.
What makes international trip fundraising more successful?
The most effective fundraising for international trips usually share a few key features:
Product-based fundraising often works particularly well for international trips, especially when supporters understand exactly what their purchase is helping to fund.
Popular fundraising ideas for international trips
Most groups use a mix of fundraising activities rather than relying on just one.
Common approaches include:
Most groups use a mix of fundraising activities rather than relying on just one.
Common approaches include:
Product fundraising can be especially effective for international trips because it allows supporters to contribute at a higher value while receiving something useful or enjoyable in return.
Using candle fundraising to support international trips
Candle fundraising has long been popular with youth groups, and it continues to work well for international travel fundraising. (See how the tradition thrives in Sweden)
Flexible fundraising for any youth or community group
Candle fundraising is a flexible option that works well for a wide range of groups, including:
It can be adapted to suit small groups, large teams, or county- or organisation-wide initiatives, making it an easy, low-risk way to raise funds for trips and activities.
Planning fundraising for an international trip?
If you’re organising an overseas trip and looking for a fundraising option that’s low-risk, flexible, and easy to manage, we’d love to help.
Learn how candle fundraising works (How it works)
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Talk through quantities, timelines, and pricing
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