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FUNDRAISING FOR YOUR NHI EXPERIENCE
We deeply appreciate Sofia Garza-Serreli's dedication and creativity in developing the Fundraising Kit for all NHI members. Her work not only provides practical tools, but also inspires our community to Create the Opportunity for themselves—empowering every member to take ownership of their journey to join and thrive within NHI. Special thanks to NHI alumni, Paola Hernandez and Efraín Córdova, for their resources and support in creating this project, and to Audrey Williams for providing her student testimony.
HOW TO FUNDRAISE:Fundraise Offline
20 from 20 fundraising campaign
Garage Sale
Clean out your closet
Bake Sale
Lemonade Stand
Host brunch or dinner
Bingo or Lotería night
Dog Wash
Used Book Sale
Ask, ask, ask!
Create your own art gallery
Stickers
Friendship bracelets
Photograph
Homecoming or promposals
Makeup
Hair styling
Nails
Birthday donations
Car Wash
Carpool
Tutoring
Fundraise OnlineTips:
NHI’s donation pageDonors can contribute to your tuition directly through the donation page on the NHI website: www.nationalhispanicinstitute.org/donate. Share this link with potential donors. Remind them to put your full name, program, and NHI user ID in the donation description so NHI can add the funds to your tuition. Consider creating a compelling bio, power image, and personal statement as to why you are starting or continuing your NHI journey. Post this on your social media with a link to NHI’s donation page. Ask your parents or a few close friends to share your story as well. Text-to-giveGenerate a list of potential donors that you can reach out to directly. Send them a text explaining what NHI means to you and why they should invest in you. They can make a direct contribution through your NHI account on Wild Apricot. Internet auctionPut old clothes, shoes, books, trading cards, or even jewelry you’ve made– anything you don’t need, but could still be used by someone– on sale using an internet auction site like eBay. Consider asking friends and family to donate things for you to sell. Also consider letting your bidders know that your sales are going towards your fundraising. If they know they’re donating to a good cause, they may feel more inclined to buy your items. Sales through social mediaDo you have some shoes you’ve grown out of? Are you good at making jewelry? See if there’s anything you can sell, and post about it on your social media. Look at the next tab for more ideas of what to sell. Seek Supportive Roles For OthersTips:
See what places are hiringDo some research. See if there’s any jobs you can easily get. Could any of your friends’ parents use some help around their office? Do you remember driving past any help wanted signs? A lot of places offer jobs to 16 year olds; some even offer jobs to 15 year olds. House-sitIs someone you know going out of town? Offer to water their plants while they’re gone. Are there any other chores they need help with that you can get paid for? Baby-sitDo you have any little cousins or family friends that need baby-sitting? What about your teachers’ kids? Think about who you know, and see where in your community you can help. Pet-sitIf not baby-sit, then what about pet-sit? Is someone you know going out of town soon? Do they need someone to feed and walk their dog? Cook for a friend’s familyIf you have cooking skills, see if you can get paid to cook a meal for a friend’s family. Help with choresOffer to mow a neighbor’s lawn, walk their dog, do their dishes, cook a meal for your friend’s family. Ask what they need help with, see how many days you can help them or how many of your neighbors you can help. If they paid you $10 to help around the house for 10 days, you could get $100 dollars. | SEEK SPONSORSHIPS:Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session sponsor letter Collegiate World Series sponsor letter Feel free to make a copy of any of the letters to edit your messaging. If you’re interested to see how you can change the messaging to target different audiences, click here. Seek sponsorship from your school or school districtOur recommendation is to be strategic about approaching your school or school district. Some tips are:
Seek sponsorship from local businessesThe same tips provided for sponsorship for schools or districts can apply to community organizations and local businesses. The challenge is to identify more sponsorship options. Focus on local or smaller businesses that do not require permission from their corporate office for approval. Also, seek smaller amounts with a minimum of $50-$100. Consider connecting with banks, churches, doctors, dentists, attorneys, restaurants, and local civic groups. Consider searching for local chapters of the following organizations in your town:
Benefit night at a local restaurantIt’s likely that a restaurant in your community, such as your local Chick-fil-A, already has a program in place to help you fundraise. Investigate which local restaurants may be willing to host a fundraising event in which they donate a portion of their sales to your cause. |
Learn from Audrey Williams, an NHIer who was able to fundraise her entire CWS tuition: When I first joined NHI, I didn’t know what to expect. Like many high school students, I was used to being comfortable, but NHI changed that. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone, placing me in environments where I had to speak up, connect, and lead. Whether it’s the Great Debate, LDZ, or CWS, each program offers a unique experience; however, one thing remains constant: the deep passion and ambition that motivates participants to be the very best version of themselves. But, I am also aware of one thing that can be a drawback for most families: the cost of tuition. While NHI is arguably one of the most affordable student leadership organizations available, the reality is that, in today’s society, additional expenses can be a tough and sensitive topic. This past summer, I had the opportunity to participate in the Rocky Mountain CWS, marking my final step in my NHI journey. However, I can say getting there was not easy. This year has been challenging for me and my mom, and I know many families can relate, but rather than letting those obstacles stop me, I decided to find a solution: I chose to fundraise. I created digital flyers, sent text messages, made phone calls, and posted on social media to gain traction and share my story. I’m incredibly grateful to have friends and family who not only understand our circumstances but also believe in the value of my NHI experience. More importantly, they believed in my future. It was intimidating at first, and yes, I had my doubts, but I only had one goal in mind: I had to get to CWS no matter what. In the end, I made it, not just because of the support of others, but because I refused to give up. What I have learned from this experience is that money may be a barrier, but not a dead end. The memories, lessons, and knowledge you gain from NHI are permanent. As NHI Fundamental #17 says: “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.” - Audrey Williams; 2023 Texas 4-day Great Debate Cross Examination Sweet 16, 2024 Colorado LDZ Chief Justice, 2025 Rocky Mountain CWS All-Star |
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