Funding Your Raleigh Expedition
25th February 2026 | Rachel Silcock | 7 min read
So – you've done your research, attended an info event, and secured your place on the Raleigh Expedition of your dreams. Surely it's time to sit back, relax and wait the 12-18 months until you fly? Well, not quite... Contrary to what lots of people might expect, the Raleigh journey actually begins right after you’ve made your booking, because it’s at this point that you rise to your first Raleigh challenge – funding your Expedition.
This article will break down some of our best tips on how to make the most of the challenge (and excitement!) of funding your Raleigh programme. We’ll cover:
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How Much You’ll Need To Save
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How To Plan Your Funding
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Fundraising & easyfundraising
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Applying For Scholarships & Bursaries
FIRST UP: Setting Your Targets
The best way to achieve any big feat is to break it down into small, achievable goals. In order to do that there are a few key steps you’ll need to follow.
1. Calculate total trip cost
In a notepad or on a spreadsheet, write down all your upcoming costs for Expedition. This should include: the Expedition fee (minus the deposit), flights, insurance, vaccines, visas. You’ll also likely need to budget for some new kit (you’ll get a kit list sent to you once you’re all booked in!).
2. Find your monthly target
Next, divide up this total by the number of months to Expedition. The further in advance you book, the more portions you’re dividing your money up into. This will mean a smaller – and even more realistic – monthly target.
Plus earlier booking will mean reduced flight costs and leaves you more time to buy kit in the sales.
3. Plan your income streams
We recommend using our Funding Schedule to break down your goal into even smaller steps, setting mini-targets for the different ways you’ll reach your goals, such as fundraising, easyfundraising and part-time work. More on these coming up…
4. Get Started...
What it says on the tin – leap into action, planning frequent check ins to see what’s working.
Above everything, our biggest tip is to ensure you book on time. That means putting down a deposit 12-18 months before you leave.
HOW TO: Put the fun in fundraising
The best forms of fundraising are at least one of these three things: Creative, Collaborative, Achievable.
1. Creative
Coming up with new and exciting ideas of how to get people interested (and invested) in your Expedition can be a really enjoyable experience. Think about the kind of events and challenges that meet your interests – quizzes, car washes, an auctions of promises, a pizza night, maybe you’ll design and sell t-shirts – whatever floats your boat!
2. Collaborative
Working with others (whether they’re going on their own Expeditions or supporting you with yours) will mean you can go bigger and bolder with your ideas, plus it’s a great way to build your teamworking skills (you’ll need those for your in-country adventure too!)
3. Achievable
It might sound appealing to leap right in and run a marathon, swim the channel and host a bake sale every day of September, but making realistic goals is going to be far more productive than burning out! Remember, if you’ve booked in good time, you can reach your target with plenty of small fundraising efforts.
This is where Easyfundraising comes in.
Easyfundraising is a free and highly effective way to raise funds for your Expedition every time you or a friend or family member shops online Just follow the steps below:
Step 1 – Create Your Account
Once you’ve booked your Expedition with Raleigh International, we’ll send you an invite to get set up on the easyfundraising platform.
Step 2 – Share Your Link
Start collecting ‘supporters’ by sharing your page with friends and family.
Step 3 – Watch Your Funds Build
Every time someone with your link shops online at one of 8000 online retailers, they’ll receive cashback that will go straight into your Expedition fund.
It really is that simple!
WRITE YOUR WAY TO EXPEDITION - Applying for Scholarships & Bursaries
Whether you’re applying to Raleigh from university, school or independently, there are bursaries and scholarships designed to support you.
If you’re looking for help with applications, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
You can book a call with one of our sales team, or if you’re already signed up, reach out to your assigned Venturer Coordinator.
About the author
RACHEL SILCOCK | Digital Marketing Assistant | Raleigh International
Rachel is the Digital Marketing Assistant for Raleigh International. She’s a huge advocate for the transformational nature of adventure, and when she’s not working you’ll likely find her in the great outdoors, either running, thru-hiking or crewing for hot air balloons.