Getting your expedition funded with Craig Pollard

Finding funding often feels like the biggest hurdle in the expedition planning process.

In this virtual talk, recorded during lockdown as part of the annual RGS Explore Weekend in 2021, global fundraising consultant Craig Pollard guides you through successfully raising the funds needed to launch your expedition project.

What does the video cover?

In this short talk, Craig Pollard, founder and author of Fundraising Radicals, draws on his 25-year career in expeditions and fundraising to share insider knowledge. Craig reveals key dos and don'ts for strategising and creating your ideal fundraising campaign.

From saving time by utilising existing tools to focusing on your biggest priorities, Craig’s in-depth knowledge and concise style breaks down fundraising basics into easy, digestible steps, making this ideal viewing for expedition fundraisers who are short on time.

Key moments

• 00:15 – Your expedition is unlikely to happen without funding
• 01:42 – Do you want to fundraise? If not, no problem
• 02:10 – Don’t formulate your own strategy. Existing tools are available
• 02:32 – The impact of a powerful narrative
• 02:54 – Prioritise and keep it lean
• 03:18 – Who are your potential funders?
• 03:45 – Focus on your biggest donors
• 03:55 – Go your own way. Is crowdfunding the right thing for you?
• 04:12 – Free, downloadable tools available
• 04:20 – The RGS Explore fundraising workshop: all the answers in one place

Full transcript

Welcome to the island of Okinawa in southern Japan. We’re in the middle of a tropical storm, so please forgive any rattling windows, thunder and lightning!

I’m going to be totally frank about expedition fundraising with you. Your expedition or project probably isn’t going to happen without funding or sponsorship. For every one funded expedition, there are hundreds of ideas and dreams that never quite get to the start line.

I’m involved in Explore to show you how to raise the cash you need to turn your expedition or project into a funded reality. Whether it’s a polar expedition, driving an aquatic vehicle around the world, sailing the Southern Ocean, building the Transcaucasian Trail, cycling to Cape Town, or doing your research.

I’ve been in fundraising for 25 years. I’ve helped hundreds of non-profits and projects in more than 70 countries to raise hundreds of millions of pounds.

I first came to Explore in 2004, and it took me eight years to get my own expedition funded and to the start line. I raised more than $100,000 to make it happen, and my passion now is helping people like you to get your first donations and your projects to your start line.

So if you’re new to fundraising, reluctant, terrified even, don’t worry. I know that anyone can raise funds with commitment and the right knowledge and tools.

My deal is this: you bring the first of these. Come to this conversation committed, willing to invest time and effort, and I’ll equip you with the core fundraising knowledge and tools you need to get out there and have confident, credible conversations with your donors.

So do join me for the Explore fundraising workshop. In the meantime, here are nine things that will point your fundraising in the right direction.

One. Ask yourself: do I want to fundraise? Make a decision. It’s either yes or no. Maybe means the same as no. Some people, like Al Humphreys, prefer to avoid fundraising altogether. Others, like Sarah Outen, have raised hundreds of thousands.

If your answer to this question is no, then fine. Stop worrying about it and find another way. If your answer is yes, get ready to invest lots of time and effort to make it happen.

Now let’s assume your answer was yes. Let’s move on to number two. Don’t waste time writing a fundraising strategy. Instead, download the fundraising canvas for free. It’s a one-page PDF template for your very own fundraising plan.

Three. You need a powerful narrative – a story for donors to get involved in. So start writing your story. Maximum one side of A4. Who are the characters? What is the plot? How will it start, and how will it end?

And answer three key questions. First, what impact are you selling to donors? Second, why does your expedition or project really matter? And third, why should a donor care?

Four. Keep it lean. Only ask for help with the things you can’t do without. I managed to get three minutes of Richard Branson’s time. He said no because the expedition budget had too many whistles and bells.

Five. Ask yourself who might fund this. Which groups of people might value your project enough to donate? Your name should be at the top of this list. If you’re not investing in this, why should anyone else?

Six. Focus only on your biggest potential donations – a maximum of five. Ignore everything else, because raising ten lots of £1,000 will take much more time and effort than raising one donation of £10,000.

Seven. Don’t follow the fundraising herd. Ignore the hype and don’t set up a crowdfunding appeal unless you already have a big digital network – 10,000 people plus – and at least half the money already pledged. Four out of five crowdfunders fail.

Eight. Download my book and the fundraising tools for free at fundraisingradicals.com and read the book. It will help you.

And nine. Sign up for the Explore fundraising workshop. Fundraising won’t happen unless you’re willing to invest time and effort in it. Visit the Explore website and fundraisingradicals.com to find out more and book your place.

That’s all from me for now. Enjoy funding your adventure, and I hope to see you again soon.

This transcript has been lightly edited for readability and web publication. The wording has not been substantively changed, and the speaker’s meaning and intent have been preserved.