Our first Crowdfunder: A big thank you, some lessons learned & what’s next

Earlier this month, All Abroad! Bus offically wrapped up its very first Crowdfunder campaign. The goal? To raise funds to take our immersive language and culture experiences to 10–12 under-resourced schools and colleges this summer term. And while we didn’t quite hit the full £5k target, we still consider it a big success, because every single pound pledged, from £5 or £250, will go directly towards creating meaningful experiences for children and young people, many of whom will not get the chance to travel abroad this summer and experience the joys and rewards of doing that.

Because this is where we can have the most impact: sowing seeds, lighting sparks, opening - even blowing - minds, broadening horizons. We want to motivate, inspire and enthuse young people to want to learn languages, explore other cultures, develop empathy, intercultural awareness and confidence. And we want to help level the playing field between those who travel (culturally) and those who don’t, so that everyone gets cultural capital.

So how did it go?

Well, not quite as planned, but in some ways, better!

I launched the Crowdfunder with the hope of getting a mix of small and large pledges, expecting the larger pledges to come from organisations interested in Corporate and Social Responsibility, Environmental, Social and Governance, internationalism, or simply making a difference. That’s long been my intention, after all, if companies are crying out for “graduates with languages” and intercultural skills, then they should be part of the effort to make language learning more accessible, and not just a privilege for the few.

My first audience-facing video shared - possibly ever!

But life had other plans. Just before the Crowdfunder was launched, my dad had a bad fall and was hospitalised. He’s had a complicated recovery, and I’ve been doing frequent round trips of a fair distance to visit him. So whilst I did a few things that I needed to do, like talking direct to camera in a Crowdfunder video (eek!) and asking my networks for financial backing, I didn’t get to do so many of the things I meant to:

• No proper research or prep - just a few scribbles and notes

• No build-up or pre-launch buzz

• No launch event (online or in person)

• No network mapping until it was already underway

• No real influencer outreach

• No contacting those potential corporate clients / sponsors /partners

• Minimal reward partnerships

• Too few updates and milestones shared

• Not enough celebrating!

  
  

And yet, despite all that, the campaign did its thing. People got it. You got it. The project resonated. In total, 70 incredible supporters made 72 pledges (so far!), most of them donations, a few in exchange for rewards which link to our immersive experiences, from bilingual cooking sessions to digital cultural packs and digital prints. Incredible generosity from friends and family. Heart-warming faith from strangers. This all says something: people believe in this project, in our work, and they believe in the impact we can make.

Was it the perfect timing? Definitely not. But, one reason I pushed forward was the invitation to appear on the live radio show Community People on Seahaven FM (recording available until 21st July 2025) - I wanted something real to talk about, an active and exciting call to action. And this campaign was just that!

At the other end of the timescale, our campaign unfortunately peaked to early for this female-led enterprise to slip into an amazing opportunity for women via Crowdfunder and Muddy Stilettos, launching on 1st July, with prizes of thousands of pounds in cash and media packages. However, I will be exploring online Prize Draws and how these could unlock funding for visits to specific schools, colleges, care settings and community groups by mobilising those in their communities who can “pay it forward” for those who can’t, while also having the chance to win something for themselves.

Most of all, this first All Abroad! Bus Crowdfunder has given me renewed energy and clarity. The campaign confirmed that this project is needed, that people care, and that we’re just getting started.

To everyone who pledged, shared, liked, or cheered me on, THANK YOU - you’re part of this journey now. Founding supporters, forever and our big thanks here.

And if you’re reading this thinking, 'How can I help?', here are a few ways:

• Book us for your school, college or organisation

• Sponsor a visit for a setting that can’t afford one

• Collaborate on a future reward or fundraising idea

• Introduce us to someone who’d love this project by sending this weblink https://www.allabroadbus.org/ and/or connecting with me on LinkedIn.

• Or just donate! Pledges are still open, and we may yet reach that original £5k target!

Watch this space - and thank you again for believing in what we do. It's keeping us on the road to making a really big impact!