Fundraising is a crucial component of all Operation Groundswell programs. While we are not a development organization and our main mission is to provide volunteer-travel opportunities for youth to the developing world, it would be a shame to spend so much money traveling abroad to not support the amazing local NGOs and charities we encounter.

For this reason, Operation Groundswell asks all participants to fundraise $1000. While the amount may seem limiting to some, all participants are given fundraising tips and support with the acceptance package. Most participants easily raise the funds through family, friends and running events. Past participants continually tell us that supporting local organizations has been one of the most rewarding aspects of their Operation Groundswell experience.

After several years of supporting specific groups, Operation Groundswell has decided to divide our fundraising in 2010 as follows:

Carbon Offsetting:

There is no doubt that running trips around the world has an effect on the environment. Round-trip flights and in-country transportation undoubtedly leave a large carbon footprint. In our opinion, students are going to go overseas to volunteer anyway so they might as well do it responsibly. For this reason, we decided to carbon offset all of our programs. PlanetAir, a Canadian organization regarded as one of the leaders in the industry by the Suzuki Foundation, has low-impact, verified and well-monitored projects. All of the projects we support are assessed against the Gold Standard’s sustainable development criteria. We chose this because, unlike other volunteer abroad organizations, we realize that climate change is very real and is already having drastic effects on communities we work with.

Amount Allotted = 15% or $150 of each person’s fundraised amount will go towards carbon offsetting.

In-Country Projects

Operation Groundswell has a long history of directly supporting in-country projects. From orphanage dormitory construction in Ghana to building 10 houses in Cambodia, our groups have always left a lasting impact. In 2010, we have decided to allow participants to decide between community-requested group projects and personal projects discovered on the ground. Information about several community-requested group projects specific to each destination region will be sent out in the acceptance packages. Employing a consensus-based decision-making model, each group will decide upon which projects to fund once in country whether major group projects or smaller personal projects. While 45% of the fundraised amount will be available, any unused funds will be directed towards the OG Microfinance Trust.

Amount Allotted = 45% or $450 of each person’s fundraised amount will go towards in-country projects.

OG Microfinance Trust

Capitalizing off the emerging success of global microfinance, Operation Groundswell will be partnering with Kiva.org, the world’s leading person-to-person micro-lending website. 40% of the amount fundraised by each group will be allocated to entrepreneurs in the destination region. Prior to leaving for the trip, participants will nominate candidates from Kiva’s list of potential borrowers. At the pre-departure orientations, participants will select from the list of nominated candidates and lend the money right there. Once in country, the group leaders will attempt to coordinate meetings with Kiva’s partner institutions and the recipients of our loans.

Kiva’s incredible network of microfinance institutions provides Operation Groundswell an avenue to safely support thousands and with Kiva’s nearly 100% return rate, all money fundraised will be re-invested once repaid.  Most importantly, all unused funds from the in-country projects will be invested in the OG Microfinance Trust at the end of 2010.

Still confused? A fantastic PBS Frontline piece (found here) explains microcredit financing very well and even makes a shout out to our pals at Kiva. We highly recommend checking it out (only 15 mins). The OG Microfinance Trust is the arms-length body that will reinvest the loans we make this year upon their completion (usually 6-12 months). Next year, the OG Microfinance Trust will therefore invest a new sum from 2011 participants PLUS the sum from 2010 participants (which will have been repaid by then). Exciting isn’t it?

Amount Allotted = 40% or $400 of each person’s fundraised amount will go towards the OG Microfinance Trust.

Any amount raised beyond the required $1000 will be assigned to the OG Microfinance Trust unless otherwise specified.

Operation Groundswell believes in Backpacking with a Purpose