Fundraising Tools
Nicaragua

Welcome to Your Fundraising Journey

Welcome, and thank you so much for joining us in this important cause! We’re incredibly grateful that you’ve chosen to raise funds and make a difference. Every dollar you raise will have a meaningful impact, helping support the work that makes this cause so important.

We know that starting a fundraising campaign can feel a little intimidating, but you’re not on this journey alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way, with resources, encouragement, and plenty of guidance along the way.

First off we wanted to share some of our top fundraising tips with you to make sure you are starting off strong. We’re so excited to have you with us and can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make!

Jump to: Top Tips. Create Your Fundraising Page. Where Does Your Funding Go. About the Project. Pre-Written Templates. Image Gallery. Fundraising Ideas.

Keep it Personal

The most successful fundraising campaigns tell your personal story and connect you to the place or project that you are volunteering with.

For example: I care deeply about improving health worldwide because... OR It's important to me to give back to the places we travel because... OR I believe we all need to learn and connect more across the world...

Offer Something in Return for Support

This doesn't have to cost a lot (or anything at all)! Maybe it is taking up a challenge that your friends or family would love to see you do (like running a 5K in a costume or giving up coffee for a month) or making something for a certain donation amount (like cookies; a fun thank you card; or a group dinner). Think of what motivates & connects your community

Reach Out

Reach out to local businesses and corporations that might align with the cause. Consider asking for a 1:1 dollar match for your fundraising efforts or reach out to the local media to help spread your message!

Provide Updates

Share the milestones of your (and the wider) campaign. Share photos and updates of the project as it progresses. You can email your donors directly through your fundraising page! These updates keep people engaged in the process and they love to see how where their money is going and who is benefiting.

Define Your Goal

We ask for a minimum of $2000 per participant donation to help fund the project (see Where Does Your Donation Go?) but our participants often fundraise more! Add into every ask how close you are to your target and a call to action to help meet that.

Try something new!

Surf For Life volunteers have used all sorts of creative & fun ideas to help fundraise for their trips! We invite you to try something new or a way to bring your community together to support your cause. See some of our favorite Fundraising Ideas below

Be Direct

Reach out with personal texts, phone calls, direct messages or emails.

We have provided you with Sample Templates that you can copy, edit and send off quickly!

These will go farther than just a mass post (but this also helps too!)

Share It Widely

Share it across your social media platforms and make sure to include the link to your fundraising page. See our pre-made posts below for a quick share. Make sure to tag us @surfforlifeteam so we can reshare and keep the momentum going!

Create Your Own Fundraising Page

Step 1: Create Your Own Fundraising Page to Share

Next to "I want to help fundraise" click on the Fundraise button.

Under "How Do You Want to Fundraise" to create a "Solo Campaign" This will prompt you to create an account through our fundraising platform Zeffy.

Step 2: Edit Your Fundraising Page

Follow the link in your email to log into your Zeffy account. Click on Edit next to the name of your form

Once in the editor, you'll be able to edit the Title; Fundraising Goal; Description; Style; Banner; Logo & Thank You Email from the menu on the left.

You will see our text populating each of these areas but we encourage you to adapt it & make it your own!

Step 3: Share Your Campaign with Your Community!

Email, post, text etc your campaign to your community! You can use and edit our samples below!

$15,000 Will Make It Happen!

Where Does Your Fundraising Money Go?

We ask for a minimum donation of $2000 per participant to cover the costs of:

building materials and labor costs for local foreman and crew
long-term sustainability of partner programming
support in the development of sustainable projects (including this one!) by Surf For Life

A note that $2000 is a *minimum* ask. Many participants fundraise more! This helps us go further and is still a direct donation to the non profits involved.

What Are We Funding?

Support Education Access in Nicaragua

Rural education in Nicaragua faces severe challenges with low completion rates, high illiteracy, and widespread child labor keeping children out of classrooms.

Access and Enrollment

Out-of-school children: Hundreds of thousands of children and adolescents are out of school, with the majority located in rural villages.
Age-grade disparity: Rural students often fall far behind, such as 13-year-olds stuck in second grade.
Primary completion: Nicaragua has the lowest primary school completion rate in Central America, with about 20% failing to finish elementary education. Rural access remains far lower than urban access.

Literacy and Poverty

Illiteracy rates: Rural illiteracy reaches approximately 33.6%, which is significantly higher than national urban averages.
Child labor: High rural poverty forces many children to work on farms rather than attend school. Estimates show high rates of child workers under 14
Health obstacles: Malnutrition and health issues heavily impact rural educational performance, with significant percentages suffering from anemia or vitamin deficiencies

Our Next Step: School Repair in El Manzano Uno, Nicaragua

Since 2013 we have supported the local education system in the surrounding communities of El Manzano Uno, Nicaragua through construction of the first ever local high school; classrooms at the Fransisco Laguna Elementary School; and El Manzano Uno Elementary School.

These buildings are now over 10 years old, existing in a harsh tropical environment. We are looking to complete much needed maintenance repairs to:

ensure roofs are water-tight and structurally sound for the rainy season
water retention walls are updated & secure to ensure structural integrity of buildings and divert standing water to deter mosquito & bug proliferation
beautify the schools with new paint, windows and landscaping to include safe play areas and increase school pride

This small investment in local infrastructure could make a significant difference in the health, safety, and long term outcomes of El Mazano Uno and its surrounding communities.

By investing in education access in Nicaragua, you can help create a sustainable, community-centered model that brings essential education services closer to the people who need them most.

The project is developed through a collaborative effort with our local partner CocoLoco Community Project.

Templates For Spreading The Word

We have provided a few templates to get you going to spread the word about your campaign! Feel free to edit them or create your own, as you know your audience best.

Here is a resource that could help.

Email:

Dear Friends and Family

I hope you’re having a wonderful summer!

This March, I’ll be traveling to northern Nicaragua to volunteer with Surf For Life, a nonprofit that partners with underserved communities on sustainable, high-impact projects.

This year, Surf For Life is partnering with the Coco Loco Community Fund, which has been working for more than a decade to strengthen education, healthcare, and infrastructure in northern Nicaragua. Together with Surf For Life, volunteers and local community members have built the area’s first high school, classrooms at several elementary schools, and other important community infrastructure.

Now, it’s time to help care for what we’ve built.

Many of these school buildings are more than 10 years old and have endured a harsh tropical climate. During my trip, we’ll work alongside the local community to make much-needed repairs, including:

Repairing roofs to ensure classrooms remain safe and dry during the rainy season
Improving water-retention walls to protect the buildings and reduce standing water
Painting, replacing windows, and improving landscaping and play areas to create more welcoming, inspiring schools

My participation in this project is twofold: the funds I raise will directly support the materials and costs needed for these repairs, and I’ll be on the ground working alongside the community to make them happen. I’ll also have the opportunity to spend time with local students and experience the culture and community of Nicaragua.

I’ve committed to raising $2,000, and I’d be so grateful for your support. Any contribution, large or small, will help provide the materials and resources needed to make these schools safer and more welcoming for local students.

Donations are 100% tax deductible.

[Donate through my personal fundraising page here.]

If your company offers matching donations through Benevity, YourCause, or a similar program, you can donate to Surf For Life in my name and have your contribution count toward my goal. Just be sure to include my name when asked if the donation is supporting a specific volunteer.

I know there are many meaningful causes asking for support, so I truly appreciate you taking the time to consider mine. I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity and would love to share more about the project or answer any questions.

And if you decide to support me, I’ll be sure to take you along for the journey with updates, photos, and videos from Nicaragua!

Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and friendship. It means a lot to me.

Text:

Hi [Name]! 👋 I’m fundraising with Surf For Life to help repair local schools in Nicaragua this March

I’m hoping to raise $2,000, and I’d love your support. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference! 💛 If you could also help by sharing my fundraising page, would be epic!

[Insert your donation page link here]

Social Media:

📣 Big News! 🌊✈️
I’m thrilled to share that this March, I’ll be traveling to northern Nicaragua to volunteer with @surfforlifeteam, helping to repair local school infrastructure in El Manzano Uno with Coco Loco Community Project

This incredible opportunity allows me to give back in a meaningful way, and I need your help to make it happen. I’m working to raise $2000, which will go directly toward the planning, materials, and execution of this impactful project.

🔗 [Insert your fundraising page link here]

💡 All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Every dollar helps — no contribution is too small. T

Thank you so much for your support! Let’s make a difference together. 💪🏽🌍✨

#SurfForLife #Nicaragua #VolunteerAbroad #GiveBack #CommunityImpact #Fundraiser #DoGoodFeelGood

Gallery:

We have provided below some sample social media posts and photos to help show the community that your funds will help benefit and potential impact to your community. Feel free to download, use and share to support your fundraising campaign!