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Friendship Fund provides financial aid support for students to explore and learn abroad on Peace Works Travel educational programs.

Want to travel on a Peace Works program but need financial aid? The Friendship Fund is a non-profit scholarship foundation operated by teachers and students affiliated with the socially-conscious abroad program, Peace Works Travel. We reward student efforts to fundraise for their education abroad programs with supplementary grants. We recognize the value of experiential learning for young people of all financial backgrounds. We know that when students are inspired to explore the world on a life-changing learning adventure, their family and friends will support their vision.

How does it work?

Students seeking financial support for their travel program submit an online application for supplementary funds. Partial scholarships are awarded upon a combined basis of need and merit. Donors receive a tax deduction from the Friendship Fund for their contributions which are applied to your educational travel account. How does the Peace Works Travel program itinerary complement your educational ambitions? What do you seek to learn from the experience? How will you give back to your community upon your return as an ethically, engaged global citizen? Explain in detail what efforts you will personally undertake to reach your fundraising goals. Get creative! Include a link to the crowd-funding pages or solicitation videos you will use to reach your goals. If approved, your account is eligible for a grant of up to $1,000 per program. Scholarship grants are not applicable towards travel deposits or airfare.

How Can I Donate?

Your generous support positively impacts many lives. Contribute to the Friendship Fund today with a donation of any amount. All donations are tax-deductible. You may designate your donation to an individual traveler’s account, a specific traveling group, or to benefit a qualified student from the pool of applicants. Donating online is easy through the secure PayPal portal. Use the Donate button at the top or the bottom of the page. If you prefer to write a check, follow the simple instructions below.
Our team will send the donor a tax-deductible receipt.

Write us a short letter indicating the purpose of funds raised. Please include the following information:

• The name of the group or student being sponsored by the donation.
• The program name and destination (ie; Sample School, Cambodia, Spring, 2018).
• Contact information for who should receive the tax deduction receipt.
• Enclose the letter with a check for any amount made payable to:
  Friendship Fund
  In re: (designated program or individual recipient)
  5142 Hollister Ave #25
  Santa Barbara, CA 93111

A letter confirming receipt of the funds and an IRS tax exemption receipt for the donation will be mailed to the donor upon completion of processing.

What’s Crowd-Funding?

Crowd-funding represents new paradigm in fundraising campaigns: students are empowered to “own” the cause of their educational travel program and appeal to others via online channels to help them reach a fundraising goal. Personal testimony from you on social media is an effective way to reach lots of people. The Best Crowd-Funding Sites offer different platforms, fee structures and possibilities for your initiatives. Donors who wish to receive a tax-deductible receipt for their donation must contribute to the Friendship Fund directly.

You Can Do It

Create excitement for your global education! Students can do inspirational fundraisers alone, or get together with other travelers for extra motivation and fun. Bake sales, car washes, Christmas tree sales and used textbook drives are examples of great campus fundraising campaigns. Approach businesses and corporate giving officers who are inspired by your story. The Friendship Fund supports students who are determined to raise funds for their educational travels through ideas, introductory partnerships and administrative support. Contact us with questions: TheFriendshipFund@gmail.com

About Us

“Friendship Fund” is an all-volunteer non-profit organization operated by students and teachers as a learning opportunity. Our purpose is to empower qualified low-income student travelers, teach them how to self-advocate and fundraise for their education abroad opportunity with Peace Works Travel. We facilitate donations to support student fundraising for education-abroad programs in destinations healing from conflict. We exist to support motivated students to become informed, ethically-engaged citizens of a global community through socially-conscious travel.

“For me, raising part of the money to take this trip was the best feeling of all. It made the whole travel adventure that much more meaningful—just setting my mind to the goal of raising $1,000—and then actually doing it was crazy! Now, I feel like I can do anything.” 
Mariela, Sophomore, Queens, New York.

“Why do I want to travel with Peace Works again? Because it is so much more than just a vacation, more than “temporary” cultural immersion, it’s so much more than ordinary community service. This program is an intense-insider’s experience. Creating relationships with real people-facing real issues is a boundary-breaking, perspective-shattering opportunity. The teachers on staff with Peace Works Travel helped me find a purpose and myself.”
– Sammy, Freshman, Los Angeles, California

“Before my trip, I never knew how easy it was to change lives. It always seemed like such an idealistic concept, something only the selected few could really achieve. But I have since learned the power of one individual, education, and independent journalism.”
– Gabi, Junior, Santa Barbara, California

Excited but still have questions? Contact us. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
Contact: TheFriendshipFund@gmail.com.

How Can I Apply For Financial Aid?

Contribute to the Friendship Fund today with a donation of any amount.
All proceeds are tax-deductible and will be used to support qualifying scholarship students as they fund-raise for their educational travel opportunity with Peace Works.