United Planet Volunteers Raised $389,430

Boston-based United Planet offers volunteer opportunities across the globe, helping “unite the planet one relationship at a time."

Volunteers focus on Children and Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Global Health. United Planet’s founder and president Dave Santulli explains, “United Planet is focused on building stronger global community and preparing a generation of globally minded leaders through gap years, international service learning, volunteering abroad, and leadership development programs. By partnering with secondary schools, universities, and corporations, United Planet is unlocking the potential of every person as a catalyst to create a more peaceful, cohesive, and sustainable world." CNN selected United Planet as one of only ten nonprofit organizations in the world for their ‘Be the Change’ initiative.

When it comes to focused fundraising, United Planet volunteers have raised $389,430 from 3,719 donors using FrontStream's peer-to-peer fundraising tool. 

“Since 2001, United Planet's 10,000+ volunteers have served over 1.5 million hours. They've built libraries, clinics, community centers, children’s housing, and 100,000+ relationships in over 25 countries."

These volunteers are particularly enthusiastic when it comes to peer-to-peer fundraising online. Santulli explains their keys to fundraising-page success: “We have some very thoughtful volunteers who have taken the time to fully share their motivations, information about the needs of the community, along with the expected outcomes of their work. These volunteers have seen the highest return on their efforts. They have also approached friends and family and asked them to share their pages throughout their networks.

“It is also important to remember to not only send your gratitude, but share about what the experience meant to you and the community. In addition to creating blogs, videos, and posting on social media, some volunteers send old-fashioned postcards from the field to share their thanks and experiences. It's exciting for supporters to receive a postcard an exotic stamp. It sends an important message that their support was genuinely appreciated.”

“It's not just about the fundraising, but also about educating and inspiring donors to contribute to positive global change. It's important to share your experiences. Many of our most successful volunteers create blogs, share on social media, and create videos.

“Nothing really beats a simple thank you and sharing your journey,” Santulli adds. “Reaching out to friends and family for fundraising is also an invitation for them to take part in something much bigger. Perhaps your journey will inspire them to take theirs.”

To learn more, please visit www.unitedplanet.org. Further information on United Planet’s volunteer abroad programs in over 25 countries can be found here: www.unitedplanet.org/volunteer-abroad