A great way for you to raise funds to get to NASCO Institute is by calling upon your community to support you. This works best when they know that you're going to help support your community.

NASCO Institute provides specific training for people living in co-ops. Identify an area where you'll commit to attending workshops (finance, member education, meeting facilitation, co-op expansion, etc) and point out ways that your co-op will benefit from you having specific training in this area.

Another commitment you can make that will increase your community's willingness to support you going to the Institute is to give a report-back after you return. Commit to organizing a night where members of your community can come listen to you present some of the most useful things you picked up, learned, or took away from the weekend. Not only will they be more willing to support you if you offer a report back, but it will give your whole community an opportunity to benefit from your attendance.

Here are a few other ways to raise travel and registration funds locally:

1. Ask your co-op or organization directly for funds. Maybe your house can contribute $25. Maybe your organization can contribute $50. Maybe they can contribute $500! You never know until you ask. Even if it's only $5, it helps move you forward.

2. Sell fair trade chocolate, coffee, and tea!  Equal Exchange has a fundraising program called, "Make Money. Make a Difference."  For more information, click here .

3. Ask your housemates individually to help you out. For example, if you live in a place that collects money monthly, ask each person if they'd be willing to pay an extra $5 this month to send you to the Institute. Make sure it's voluntary. You'd be surprised how many people will be willing to chip in $5 to your travel and registration fees.

4. Hold a benefit show or party at your house. Line up some local bands that are willing to play for free, or just put together a good mix cd. Charge $3 at the door. Make sure people know it's a benefit, and make sure they know what it's for. Here are some ways to increase your money intake at your party:

a. Buy some cheap beer and sell it for a bit more than you paid for it.
b. Bake cookies, or get some fruit and sell them for a small cost.
c. Hold a silent auction.
d. Have a fundraising goal for the night. Every $25, get someone to perform an amazing feat, or ridiculous stunt. (ie: At $50, Chris will eat a bug. At $75, Nadine will shave off her eyebrows. At $100, Jesse will juggle fire.) You get the idea.
e. Have NASCO Institute postcards available to hand out to supporters. We'll happily send a stack if you contact us. Email neily[at]nasco.coop.
When raising money, remember what's important: voluntary participation in fundraisers, accurate knowledge of where the money is going, and fun!