We want to make sure that the Galapagos ICE is an unforgettable experience for you and we want to provide you with all support that we can. Take a look at our Galapagos ICE Fundraising Guide to get started and move a step closer to an exciting adventure in the Galapagos Islands.
Donation Process to Cover Your Fees
Your supporters can easily make donations on your behalf by clicking the donation button on our website or by sending a donation by check. It is a fast and easy way to contribute towards your fees.
Online donations or donations paid by check to Galapagos ICE on your behalf can only be used to cover your program and your housing fee (including or excluding meals). Costs for flights, other transportation needs or other costs related to your stay should be paid directly by you.
Please ensure that donations made on your behalf include your first and last name in order to be a recognized contributions towards your fees. Unidentified donations will remain in the Galapagos ICE General Fund and will be used across all Galapagos ICE campaigns and projects.
Presenting a copy of the official donation receipt (your donors should provide you with this) to the Galapagos ICE administration on your arrival will make verification easy. After verification of the receipts you only need to pay the remaining balance.
We are unable to refund payments and donations made on your behalf to Galapagos ICE. If the total donations received on your behalf exceed your volunteer commitment all monies will be allocated to the General Fund for use across out various campaigns and activities.
For more information about this and how to get started with your fundraising download our Fundraising Guide.
* For all tax deductions we advise you to contact your tax advisor
Five Easy Steps to Fundraising
Step #1: Always ask for support
Politely and directly ask for contributions, every time you meet with, write to or are in touch with a potential donor. It is easy to talk about Galapagos ICE, but a potential donor will know that you expect something more. Unless you ask them for a contribution after describing your work, they won’t necessarily know how to help you!
Step #2: Establish donor relationships
People love to help and give to people – you will have the most success with people who are peers, or people you are somehow associated with. For example: Alumni write to other alumni, athletes to athletes, club members to other club members. Even if some of the people you ask do not know you personally, try to establish something in common with them and they will feel a greater pull to give.
Step #3: Suggest amounts that are realistic and tangible.
We suggest that you use a list with possible donation amounts as suggested in our ‘Get Ready’ section. These amounts relate to a tangible benefit for the organization or for the people of the Galapagos and will help the donor understand what the money will be used for. Most importantly, make every gift, no matter how small, feel really important to the donor- because it really is!
Step #4: Remember the good cause.
The money you are raising is a contribution towards the costs of placing a much needed volunteer in an environment in a developing country such as the Galapagos. Remember that this will not only be a wonderful experience for you, it will also help improve educational and health opportunities for those living in the Galapagos.
Step #5: Thank a donor over and over again. There is no such thing as too much thanking
There is no such thing as too much thanking! Send thank you letters within 24 hours of the receipt of the donation. You should also reply to those people, groups or institutions who do not grant you a donation as well, thanking them for their consideration. It’s the polite thing to do!
Good luck and have fun!
emilygice 