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Hope Express: Learn Ethical Fundraising

The experience

Hope Express is a hands-on practicum for anyone (age 20+) interested in learning about the process and techniques of ethical fundraising.

For at least two weeks, participants can plan and run an own online crowdfunding campaign, organize a small fundraising event, and directly support a local community in Central Vietnam—with individual guidance and local insights from our experienced C4C mentors.

What you offer

18 hours of help per week

Social Work: Help with volunteer work in local projects and communities.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 250 Per week

Fee pays for: Materials for volunteer activities

Description: The fee covers activities we offer during freetime but also work-related, accommodation, meals, mentorship, and all working materials.

What you get

2 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Team Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other people.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Vietnamese

Over 20 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

Hope Express is a hands-on fundraising program for adults aged 20 and above who are interested in social engagement and developing or improving their skills in ethical fundraising. Over a minimum stay of two weeks, participants work closely with experienced coordinators from Catalyst for Change (C4C) and local partner organizations to develop and implement their own fundraising campaign, directly benefiting a selected community project in Central Vietnam.

The focus is on learning by doing: from the initial idea through planning to execution, volunteers go through all stages of a real fundraising process. They receive close mentorship and gain insights into topics such as storytelling, donor transparency, donor engagement and digital campaigning.

A key part of the experience is organizing a small fundraising event for the expat community in Da Nang. With support from the local kitchen team HerKitchen and the C4C team, participants learn how to design an event, invite guests, present their project effectively, and raise funds in person.

Volunteers are accommodated at the C4C Volunteer House in Da Nang—a safe and welcoming space for collaboration, reflection, and exchange. The program fee includes accommodation, all meals, mentoring, materials, and logistical support.

Hope Express is for those who want to get involved and learn at the same time—practically, collaboratively, and impactfully. It is especially suited for people interested in social innovation, looking to enter the nonprofit sector.

The program combines strategic thinking with personal connection—and offers a concrete way to contribute to better living conditions in Vietnam through focused, community-based projects.

Activities & Shift

Day 1
Arrival, welcome meal, program introduction, overview of C4C and local partner communities, safety and cultural orientation

Day 2
Meet and learn about 2–3 local communities, choose a community to support, smmunity Partnerset initial fundraising goals

Days 3–4
Fundraising workshops: ethical fundraising, donor roles, digital tools, storytelling; one-on-one mentorship for campaign refinement

Days 5–7
Set up and launch online fundraising campaign, daily mentorship check-ins, adapt and promote campaign

Days 8–10
Plan in-person fundraising event: logistics, menu planning with HerKitchen, create invitations and promotions

Day 11
Host the fundraising event for expats and friends: share story, invite contributions, connect with supporters

Days 12–13
Audit and document funds raised, purchase supplies or gifts, mentor check-ins for stewardship and transparency

Day 14
Organize and deliver a Hope Express event in the chosen community, reflection session, final sharing, certificate ceremony, farewell dinner