If you’re planning to volunteer abroad with Trek Relief—or simply want to support ethical travel and impact-focused expeditions—your birthday is one of the best times to start fundraising.

In fact, birthday fundraisers are one of the most popular and effective ways our community helps fund their service trips. And the best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated. A short, simple video can take you a long way.

Why Birthdays Are Perfect for Nonprofit Fundraising

People love to give on birthdays—it’s a natural moment for connection, generosity, and support. And when you tie that to something meaningful, like restoring clean water access in Mongolia or expanding a health clinic in Nepal, people respond.

At Trek Relief, our volunteers often raise their entire program fee through personal fundraising. And birthdays are the perfect time to begin.

Step-by-Step: How to Launch a Birthday Fundraiser

1. Make a Short, Honest Video

Don’t overthink it. Just grab your phone and say something like:

“Hey everyone, it’s my birthday! This year I’m raising funds for Trek Relief. I’m heading to Mongolia to help rebuild community wells, and I’d love your support.”

Want to make it even better? Show your face, share your excitement, and don’t worry about being perfect. In fact, one of our favorite videos ends with:

“Sorry, I forgot what I was gonna say. How do I end this?”

2. Tie Your Age to Your Goal

Use your age to set a donation target. It’s simple, memorable, and easy for people to join.

“I’m turning 35—so I’m hoping 35 friends will donate $35 each to help me reach my goal.”

This structure works great across social media, email, and in person.

3. Share It Everywhere

Once your video is ready:

Post it to Instagram Stories with a countdown
Pin it on your Facebook
Reshare it once or twice a week
Add a donation link in your bio

That one video can live across platforms and drive donations for weeks.

Tips to Boost Your Fundraising Reach (+Video Tip!)

Use your trip’s story. Are you volunteering in Nepal, Mongolia, or Patagonia? Share why it matters.
Add impact data. (e.g. “We’re rebuilding wells for 120 herder families.”)
Include a clear CTA. (“Link in bio to donate.”)
Reshare wins. Thank donors publicly and keep the momentum going.
Celebrate progress. Every milestone is a story worth posting.

Examples of Birthday Fundraising Impact

Some of our favorite campaigns have come from birthday goals:

Jordan raised $1,050 for Patagonia’s permaculture garden project using a single video and a birthday dinner post.
Emily reached her Nepal trip goal with a “31 for 31” campaign—asking 31 people to donate $31.

Want to see how your funds make a difference? Explore our current volunteer projects.

Ready to Fund Your Volunteer Trip?

Your birthday can be a catalyst—not just for celebration, but for real-world change. Whether you're restoring water access in Mongolia or supporting health infrastructure in the Himalayas, your network can be part of the journey.

Start with your voice. Use your birthday. And invite others into something meaningful.

→ Launch your birthday fundraiser now
→ Learn about our Mongolia program
→ More upcoming trips

How to Fundraise for a Volunteer Trip Using Your Birthday