Put your entrepreneurial spirit to work with a Shad fundraising campaign
In addition to receiving a bursary or scholarship, there are many ways for students to raise funds to help cover the cost of the program. Each year, there are students admitted to Shad who create their own fundraising campaigns and work with friends, family, and members of their community to raise funds to help cover the program fees.
Note: We respectfully request that you check with us first before connecting with Shad’s donors. In most cases, they can only flow funds to a registered charity like Shad (not to an individual). We can likely save you some time!
Learn the details of how one alum fundraised to support his own Shad journey.
“I decided to focus on gaining sponsorship from local corporations. My fundraising strategy consisted of writing one-page letters describing who I am, what I do, where I’m from, as well as what Shad is, and then sending these letters to various organisations. The letter gave specific details about my future goals, my accomplishments and work experience related to STEM, as well as my hobbies, interests, and sports. I also described the Shad program as well as I could and explained the cost of the program, including travel costs.
– Benjamin Dunkley
Shad alum, Ontario
You already know how much your Shad experience will cost.
Now you need to determine how much money you will need to raise, how you are going to do it, and how you will keep track of it all! Sit down to review your resources and assess what money you already have including personal savings, contributions from parents/family/legal guardians, and any bursaries Shad offered you. Once you know how much you already have, it’s easy to determine what you will need to raise. We strongly recommend involving your parents/guardians in this process.
Fundraising doesn’t have to be a daunting task and doing it successfully is not an exact science. In most cases, success is equal to how much effort and determination you put into it.
What is absolutely crucial is support from family, friends, and people who can contribute their time, advice, skills, and ideas. Think of them as partners in your fundraising efforts.
Family Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins
Friends, parents of friends, and neighbours
Cultural associations + Religious community Elders, Religious leader, congregation
Work contacts Supervisor, coworkers
Organizations Athletic clubs/teams, Scouts/Guides, musical affiliations, places where you volunteer
Educational community Board of Education, principal, teachers, classmates
Businesses Local merchants, banks, supermarkets, law firms, realty firms, insurance companies, auto dealers
Organizations Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Optimists Clubs, Civitan Clubs, school board, your school
Rehearse your “ask”
You should be very comfortable with approaching people and your case. Be able to explain why they should support you. To help, try practicing answering these questions:
Research Shad
You may need to answer a number of questions about the program, and you should be as prepared as possible.
Prepare a letter requesting a donation
You can leave this behind as a reminder and it can be used when you are unable to speak to someone in person, or you can mail it. (Note: the best way to contact people is always face-to-face.)
Be presentable
It is important you make a good impression.
Follow up
If you have not heard back within a week (9 times out of 10 they won’t call you), call to see if there has been any progress. Follow up a mailed letter with a phone call asking if you can come in to meet them in person.
You should always be aware of how much money you’ve raised and where the money came from. Remember that you are now responsible for every penny of the raised funds.
Raising the money will be hard work but it should also be fun. You should feel good about what you are doing and be proud of your efforts.
Asking for financial contributions can be intimidating and difficult. Practice your ask and make sure you are comfortable with your message.
Not everyone you approach will be willing or able to donate, but they may be willing to help in other ways.
This is perhaps the most important tip. If you do not believe in what you are doing, how are you going to convince others?
Fundraising is hard work and there will be bumps along the way. It is important to always keep your goal in mind. Remembering why you are doing this work will help you stay focused and motivated.
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Shad Canada’s office is situated on the land traditionally cared for by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe and Neutral Peoples.
We acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge and philosophies of the Indigenous People with whom we share this land today.
