External Funding

Sourcing External Funding
For University Students, Gap Years and Graduates

Whether you have already confirmed your place on a Think Pacific project or are still researching, it is important you know that there’s a ton of scholarships and grants available out there for motivated people to access.

To help get you started, we have put together some advice on how find your own external funding sources, links to our trusted list of donors who have supported Think Pacific participants to complete a meaningful project abroad and also some testimonials from our alumni so your can hear others talk about their fundraising experiences.

How to Find External Funding Sources?

Finding financial aid for volunteering or interning abroad can take a bit of work but there are plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. By taking the first step of reading this article, you’ve already been provided with a few! Outside of the internet, your local community is a great place to start. Here are a few places to consider:

  • Nonprofits
  • Cultural or youth centers
  • Faith-based organizations
  • Colleges and universities
  • Local government
Fundraising & Crowdfunding

Don’t forget, you can always fundraise or crowdfund to cover part or all of your program with Think Pacific. GoFundMe is a great tool for sharing your cause and connecting with friends and family, who may be excited to monetarily support you in your efforts. You can also fundraise through events such as hosting a bake sale, happy hour, or a fun run in your town to get your neighbours involved in raising money for a good cause.

Fundraising doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful. For so many of our volunteers, fundraising is a blast. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen your relationships, meet new people and learn new skills. When you join a Think Pacific project, you will gain access to our pre-departure portal which includes a comprehensive fundraising guide. This guide shares with you the mindset, the planning and the steps to take to achieve your goal.

List of Grants & Bursaries
JACK PETCHEY (UK)

Jack Petchey Foundation (UK)

The Individual Grants for Volunteering programme encourages young people across London and Essex to get involved in volunteering projects in the UK and overseas. We’ve helped young people to travel all over the world to help local communities, support schools, improve access to health services and contribute to conservation projects.

Requirements:
  • Live in London or Essex, UK.
LORD MAYOR'S BURSARY (UK)
The Lord Mayor’s 800th Anniversary Awards was established with the future of many young people in mind. Awards are made each year, with sums ranging between £100 and £1000, depending on the type of project involved.

Amount: £50 – £1,000 available

Requirements: People aged 17-24. Two applications a year (late spring, late fall)

Application: Application forms may be had from the Adviser by e-mailing: lm800aat@hotmail.com

Email lm800aat@hotmail.co.uk and ask for application form

ROTARY CLUBS (UK)

ROTARY CLUBS (UK)

JOICEY TRUST BURSARY (UK)

THE JOICEY TRUST BURSARY

Amount: Varied amounts

Requirements: People who live within Northumberland or East Scottish borders, for community development programs.

Application: https://www.thejoiceytrust.org.uk/

CAPTAIN SCOTT SOCIETY BURSARY (UK)

THE CAPTAIN SCOTT SOCIETY BURSARY

The Awards are granted to assist individuals or groups to undertake adventurous expeditions and endeavours. The following criteria are indicative of the selection considerations that influence the Society’s decisions but should not be regarded as prescriptive:

Amount: £500

Requirements: People aged 16-18

Application: Must apply before March of each year to be eligible via https://captainscottsociety.com/awards/

SIR PHILIP RECKITT BURSARY (UK)

The objective of the Trust is to assist with education in languages, business methods, social services and the customs of any other country or in any other educational matter, by any person for the time being resident in Norfolk, Hull or the former East Riding of Yorkshire. The Trust’s assistance comes in the form of contributions towards the cost of travel, residence and attendance at conferences, lectures and educational courses.

Amount: Not Specified

Requirements: Residents in Hull, Norfolk or the former East Riding of Yorkshire

Application: http://www.spret.org/apply.html

RUBENS AND WALLACE GRANT (UK)

JOHN MUIR TRUST – DES RUBENS AND BILL WALLACE GRANT

The grant that gives people the opportunity to seek out life-changing experiences in wild places.

The John Muir Trust offers this Grant to give people the opportunity to seek out life-changing experiences in wild places of the world in ways which will benefit both the person, and the wild places themselves.

Amount: £200 – £2,000

Requirements: UK applicants with Scottish ties.

Application: 15 Januaryhttps://www.johnmuirtrust.org/whats-new/grants/des-rubens-and-bill-wallace-grant

WINSTON CHURCHILL TRUST (UK)

THE WINSTON CHURCHILL MEMORIAL TRUST 

Learning from the world. Inspiring change in the UK.

We are the Churchill Fellowship: a UK charity which supports individual UK citizens to follow their passion for change, through learning from the world and bringing that knowledge back to the UK. Together our community of Churchill Fellows use their international learning to lead the change they wish to see across every area of UK life. We were founded by public donation in 1965 as the living legacy of Sir Winston Churchill for the nation.

Amount: Up to £6,000

Requirements: Offered for young people between 18-25.

Applications: https://www.churchillfellowship.org/about-us/contact-us

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND TRUST (UK)
South OF Scotland Youth Awards Trust (Scotland)

Supporting young people from the Scottish Borders or Dumfries and Galloway regions to join projects, courses and expeditions in the UK and worldwide, providing an opportunity to broaden their horizons and develop their confidence. UK projects connected with environment ,wildlife and community endeavours will be welcome for consideration.

https://www.ssyat.co.uk/awards

In order to be eligible for an award from the SSYAT…​​​

  • You must be between 17 and 25 years old on the day your project starts​
  • Your project must comply with the aims of the scheme​
  • You must have made successful efforts to fund part of the costs of the project yourself​
  • Your home address must be within either The Scottish Borders or Dumfries and Galloway Council areas​​​

How much can I be awarded?

The number of awards varies each year according to the funds available. In recent years we have been able to make 30 to 40 awards. They can range from £200 to £2000​

When do I apply?​

Applications are normally considered once a year in March and therefore should be submitted by the end of February for projects due the following year.  Only exceptionally may an application be considered for any other date.​

How do I apply?​

Go straight to the Application Page!

HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL (USA)

HI USA Explore the World Scholarship Program

If you’ve limited experience of traveling abroad, the Hostelling International World Scholarship Program is likely right up your street. Awards of $2,000 are available to help young people from the US travel abroad and experience cross-cultural exchange. To be successful, your planned trip must have an educational or service-learning element.

Requirements:
  • Be 18-30 years old
  • Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • Have a demonstrated financial need
  • Reside or attend school in one of the 13 metropolitan areas where HI USA has a community presence
  • Be planning an upcoming international trip that involves an educational and/or volunteer service component
DIVERSITY ABROAD (USA)

Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Program

Stipends of $500 are available for those who successfully apply to become a Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador. The money is put towards a Spring or Fall semester volunteering or studying abroad program. Ambassadors are expected to blog about their experiences for the Diversity Abroad community with the aim of inspiring other members to travel.

Requirements:
  • Must be enrolled full-time in, or recently graduated from, a U.S. university or college
  • Have a minimum cumulative 2.75 GPA at an accredited U.S. university or college
  • You are energetic, creative and have a passion for international engagement
ALL PEOPLE BE HAPPY (USA)

All People Be Happy

Volunteers who’ve been accepted onto a six-week or longer volunteer abroad program focusing on education and training, healthcare, or sustainable agriculture can apply to receive a scholarship of up to $2,500 from All People Be Happy, based in the U.S. In the past, they’ve awarded up a grand number of 25 scholarships in one year.

Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. resident or U.S. citizen
Award:

$1,000 – $2,500

NATIONAL GRID (USA)

The National Grid: Samuel Huntington Service Award

Offered by the National Grid, one or two lucky applications win a $20,000 stipend to be put towards the costs of a one-year, meaningful public service project that seeks to further public good anywhere around the globe. The winner can spend the money on a volunteering project that they organize themselves, or on an established program.

Requirements:
  • Can be of any nationality but must be graduating from a college or university based in the U.S
Just Think...
Your Funding Could Take You On A Journey Like This.... 🌴