When we think about a pilgrimage experience, it is natural to focus on the pilgrim – the physical journey and the spiritual transformation. But we often forget that pilgrimages, even solo pilgrimages, invite others to accompany the pilgrim. A limited few may be able to physically join the pilgrim on their journey, but many people can join the pilgrim spiritually.
Why Fundraising Is an Important Part of the World Youth Day Journey
Friends and family can pray for the pilgrim. Fellow parishioners can financially support the pilgrim. And mutual friends may hear of the pilgrim’s journey and be inspired by them. Fundraising is one of the many ways that others can support a pilgrim.
While many think of fundraising as an unpleasant burden and associate it with begging for money, the Dutch theologian Fr. Henri Nouwen said, fundraising is a ministry and “a way of announcing our vision and inviting other people into our mission.”
People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves and often give generously of their time, talent, and treasure to worthy causes that align with their values.
How can you share your vision for your pilgrimage and get others to join you?
How Much Does World Youth Day Cost?
How do you want to get to Seoul? How much time do you want to spend there? Do you know a group that is going that you want to join? You can find out more about Verso’s packages and what is included by finding your group here. If you don’t already have a group, that’s okay – come with us!
Before You Start: Create a Fundraising Plan
Before we get to World Youth Day fundraising ideas, it’s important to start with a plan. Know your dollar amount goal, but what is more: know why you’re doing this. If you’re going to ask others to help, you need to be able to express your why. First, spend some time in prayer about your mission in attending your pilgrimage. Reflect on the following questions:
- Why do I want to go to World Youth Day 2027?
- What are my hopes for this pilgrimage?
- Are there any ideas or questions or themes that have been percolating in my heart that I hope to explore?
Now take this why to write a statement that you can share when you’re asking for help. As you plan, think of how you want to approach your goal. Do you want to fundraise with others? What happens if you do not reach your goal? When do you need to raise funds – when are payments due?
World Youth Day Fundraising Ideas
When you go to World Youth Day with us, we provide a fundraising kit to help you with crafting your mission statement, making your plan, and brainstorming ideas for fundraising. But consider some of these:
- Personal sacrifice: Before you ask others to support your endeavor, where can you sacrifice to contribute to your goal? Small changes can add up to big savings. Consider giving up a daily visit to Starbucks – that alone can bank up to $25 a week. Over the course of eight weeks, you could “fundraise” $200, or $1,300 if you continued this sacrifice for a year!
- Bringing friends and family into the mission: Another method of fundraising is to directly solicit financial support from your family members, friends, acquaintances, and contacts. Awareness creates support – the more people who are made aware of your pilgrimage, the more support you will receive, including financial support. And the more personal your invitation, the higher likelihood that someone will say “yes” to support you.
- Event fundraisers: Whether it’s an old-fashioned car wash, babysitting for an event at church, a trivia night, or a post-Mass breakfast bar, there many creative ways you can fundraise with other WYD pilgrims. As a bonus, you get to know each other before the pilgrimage! Our fundraising kit has other fundraising ideas.
- Community partners: Our fundraising kit includes several partners we’ve worked with before or that have expressed interest in helping you fundraising. Some are easy as becoming a partner with a Catholic coffee company with your own personal QR code and reaping a share in the profit.
It is possible!
Verso Ministries has taken thousands of pilgrims on pilgrimage, include some who have fundraised their entire trips! Do not be afraid to ask people to partner in your pilgrimage – remember, some give by going, but some go by giving! If you’re going to ask for help, however, don’t forget to know why you want to go and be able to express why World Youth Day 2027 is important.
Find out more about our World Youth Day trips – we’d love for you to join us in Seoul!
