Letter Writing
Letter-writing campaigns are one of the easiest and most direct fundraising methods that you can use. Simply send letters to friends, family members, employers, co-workers, clubs, churches, gifted associations, or your state association and other organizations that you feel would be interested in assisting you.

School Funds
If you are a student, one major source of funding is your own school. Many school clubs allocate a certain amount of funds for student activities.

Grants
A common way to raise money is through grant proposals. You can contact your local Gifted Association or other organizations (see attached list of organizations) for deadlines and details.  Keep in mind that grants are time sensitive and may be difficult to obtain.

Local Businesses
Local businesses may be willing to make a contribution to your summer experience. You may want to approach the business with a letter first, enclosing all relevant materials and a pledge form. Then, follow up the proposal with a phone call or personal meeting. Keep in mind that local businesses appreciate publicity for supporting local talent.

Events that Raise Money
Be sure that in planning your fundraising event, your expenses and time you put into planning do not surpass the amount of money you would like to raise. If you plan well and work hard at your event, you can raise the entire amount of money that you will need for your attendance to our summer program. Examples: dances, carnivals, outings.

Sales
A more traditional way to raise money is through the sale of various items such as baked goods, arts and crafts, candy, and just about any type of sale that interests you. If you know someone who is a baker, an artist, or a published writer, you can ask her if she would like to donate her work for publicity through your efforts, so that you may allocate the money you received from sales to your fundraising. You could also make greeting cards for all occasions and sell them to friends, families, etc.

Raffles
For raffles, you can obtain donated items from local stores, companies, and restaurants, and raffle them off.  As long as the proceeds are higher than the purchase price, raffles are effective methods of fundraising. (Note that you may need a license; check local laws.)

Media
Perhaps one of the best ways to promote awareness and to raise funds is through utilizing the local media. You can post an announcement in a local newspaper describing the program and pointing out what a great opportunity it would be for you to participate in it.

Recycling
You can open an account online with an organization such as http://www.fundingfactory.com/programs/recycling/, which accepts empty printer cartridges and used cell phones to redeem for cash.  Ask your school or local grocery store to place a box on location to collect these items.

*Please remember to recognize all the contributors with a thank you letter. You may also want to follow up after attending the program to let everyone know about your experience. You could also offer to give a presentation upon your return or email throughout the session about your progress.

** If you are a minor, be sure to get permission from your parents to engage in any of these activities.

Scholarships

Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Awards
The Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Awards are sponsored by the Nicholas Green Foundation and administered by the National Association for Gifted Children. One $500 U.S. Savings Bond is awarded to a student from each state. Candidates should be students in grades 3-6 who have distinguished themselves in academics, leadership or the arts. The deadline is June 1. Individual State Associations may have earlier deadlines (in some cases as early as January 1). See the web site for additional details.

Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognize children in grades 5-12 who have engaged in volunteer activities and have demonstrated exceptional community service. The program is sponsored by Prudential in conjunction with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). State winners receive a $1,000 award. National winners receive a $5,000 award. The student application deadline is in late October.

Start Something
Start Something is a joint program of Target and the Tiger Woods Foundation. It is aimed at U.S. students aged 8 to 17. After participants complete three substantial projects, they are eligible to apply for a $5,000 scholarship. The scholarships are used to help winners pursue their goals. Scholarships are awarded three times a year. The deadlines are January 1, May 1 and September 1.

The Young Naturalist Awards Competition (Grades 7-12)
Deadline: March 2, 2009

Presented by the American Museum of Natural History and sponsored by Alcoa Foundation, the Young Naturalist Awards—an inquiry-based research competition—invites students in grades 7-12 to conduct research in the natural world. Students investigate questions they have in the areas of ecology, biology, Earth science and astronomy and present their findings in an essay. Winners (2 from each grade) receive cash awards, from $500 to $2,500, and an all-expense paid trip to New York City to attend the awards ceremony at the Museum. There they take a behind-the-scenes tour and meet with Museum scientists. The winning essays are published on the Museum’s website and excerpted in Natural History magazine. 36 finalists receive a $50 award. All participants receive a certificate and a letter from the judges who read their essays. The letters highlight the strong points of the investigation and suggest ways they could be improved. The contest is open to students in the U.S. and Canada. For more information visit the website at http://www.amnh.org/yna or email the Young Naturalist Awards Administrator at yna@amnh.org

Youth Service America
Youth Service America offers the State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants to U.S. children age 5-25 to implement service-learning projects for National Youth Service Day in April. One hundred $1,000 grants will be awarded. The application deadline is in mid-October. For more information, send email to GoodNeighbor@ysa.org.

San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department Miss Recreation Pageant
The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department sponsors the annual Miss Recreation Pageant for unmarried female students aged 13 to 18. Candidates must reside within the city limits of San Antonio. The student crowned Miss Recreation will receive a $2,000 scholarship. The application deadline is in early December.

Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award Program
The Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award Program is open to girls age 12 to 18 that demonstrate entrepreneurship and make a difference in their schools and communities. The first prize winner receives $10,000, the second prize winner receives $5,000, the third prize winner receives $3,000, and the 12 finalists receive $1,000 each. The award program is sponsored by Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. The deadline (receipt) is March 1.

DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition
The DuPont Challenge Science Essay Competition is sponsored by the DuPont Center for Collaborative Research & Education in cooperation with General Learning Communications. The competition is open to US and Canadian students in grades 7-12 inclusive. The competition involves writing a 700 to 1,000 word essay about a scientific or technological development, event, or theory chosen by the student. Topic areas include chemical sciences, life sciences, physical sciences, earth sciences, environmental sciences and space technology. There are two divisions: grades 7-9 and grades 10-12. Within each division there is one first place prize of $1,500, four finalist prizes of $500 each, and 30 honorable mention prizes of $50. The first place winners also receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Space Center Houston with a parent and the sponsoring Science and English teachers. The deadline is in mid-January. For more information, call 1-847-205-3000 or write to The DuPont Challenge, Science Essay Awards Program, c/o General Learning Communications, 900 Skokie Blvd., Suite 200, Northbrook, IL 60062-4028.

Courage in Student Journalism Awards
The Courage in Student Journalism Awards is sponsored by the Newseum, the Student Press Law Center, and the National Scholastic Press Association. A $5,000 award is granted each year to a middle or high school journalist who lawfully exercised his or her First Amendment press rights despite difficulty or resistance. The deadline is July 1 (postmark). For more information, call 1-703-284-3775, fax 1-703-284-3535, or write to Barbara McCormack, NEWSEUM, 1101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209 or send email to bmccormack@freedomforum.org.

Odd jobs
You may also earn extra cash by doing jobs such as babysitting, car washing, yard work, providing technical support for computers, organizing closets and offices, spring cleaning, or working local events on weekends.

Yard Sales
This a great way to get rid of things you no longer need or use by selling them in yard sales or online.

Gifts
Ask family and friends to give you money instead of presents for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays.

Here is a sample of organizations that may offer grants or scholarships to students.
Lion’s Club
Elks Club
Junior League
Masons
Boys and Girls Club
Churches
ABC Organizations
YMCA
YWCA
Coca-Cola
Pepsico
Fresh Air Fund
New York Yankees
Chick-Fil-A
Toyota
McDonalds
Newman’s Own
NSGT
Disney
NAACP
BSEF
National Science Foundation
MasterCard
UPS
GE
Xerox