<p>Paperplatethesis, This seems to be a runaway thread. My cousin just graduated from college and in her senior year, she and other students went to an African country for a school project and they each had to do their own fundraising to pay for the trip. The school encouraged them to raise money this way. My aunt sent beautiful letters out to family and friends explaining the school's purpose for the trip and requested any contribution for the trip. No one seem to have a problem with this. Many organizations encourage student to raise money for educational purposes. When my own D was invited to be an Student Ambassador to Japan, the presentation covered fundraising as a way to raise money for the trip. This seems to becoming more acceptable in todays society. The only thing is that if you decide to fundraise then you have to give something in return either a presentation, a product or a lunch or whatever. Just my 2 cents. Some of the other suggestions are also good such as babysitting, dogwalking, mystery shoppers. Easy money for short periods of time and small comittment timeframe. Good luck.</p>
<p>I only read the OP. </p>
<p>But, if I'm not mistaken, isn't fund raising for oneself called a "job?"</p>
<p>If I came upon a student selling cookies to help pay for college, I'd buy one and admire the student's dedication for "working his way through school."</p>
<p>If I came upon a student selling cookies as a "college tuition fundraiser" I'd walk right by. Sounds fishy. Don't try to trick me. You're EARNING money. That's not fund raising.</p>
<p>No ONE (including me) said the student needed to get a "tax id" etc. What I DID say is that self earned income is CAN BE considered self employment. This OP was asking about fundraising for college. I didn't get the impression he/she was looking for a minimal amount. My impression was that this person was looking to raise a more significant amount to help fund college costs. That being the case, their little business could very well end up being in the "self employed" category. </p>
<p>Self employed individuals do not need to have tax ID numbers for their businesses...they use their social security number and file a schedule C as a self employed person where they report both self employed monies they get from a 1099 and other self employed monies.</p>
<p>I do NOT mean babysitting or occasional tag sales or lemonade stands. I mean longer term and more continuous types of things that COULD be viewed as self employment (note...NOT a business owner...a self employed person...there IS a difference).</p>
<p>"My cousin just graduated from college and in her senior year, she and other students went to an African country for a school project and they each had to do their own fundraising to pay for the trip. The school encouraged them to raise money this way.My aunt sent beautiful letters out to family and friends explaining the school's purpose for the trip and requested any contribution for the trip. No one seem to have a problem with this. "</p>
<p>From what I've experienced and seen, most people except close relatives like one's siblings and grandparents HATE getting those kind of letters. They may graciously contribute, but in general, it is with a feeling of resentment.</p>
<p>If the student wants to volunteer, why can't the student get a job earn their own money to do this or volunteer at home where it would be easily affordable?</p>
<p>And if the student wants to volunteer, why wouldn't the student write and send the contribution letters instead of leaving that up to Mommy?</p>
<p>As for me, if I want to help a foreign country, I'll continue to donate to well established nonprofits.</p>
<p>"If the student wants to volunteer, why can't the student get a job earn their own money to do this or volunteer at home where it would be easily affordable?"</p>
<p>NSM, the story was cut short for the purpose of this thread. All the details were not spelled out, didn't think it necessary.
She did work. The trip was part of a school project. This had nothing to do with volunteering at home.
"Mommy" is really grandma and she is part of a large circle of associates that were happy to donate. If they didn't want to they didn't have to. </p>
<p>"As for me, if I want to help a foreign country, I'll continue to donate to well established nonprofits"</p>
<p>In our family we are happy to help each other out in even if its a small way. We not only want to see the young succeed and show support so it has nothing to do with donating to "well established nonprofits". We do that too.</p>