Small But Mighty 2024 Year End Giving

Why We Need Your Help Now

This year, we’ve been recognized with the prestigious Institute of International Education (IIE) Empower Award, a testament to our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) in international education. The award confirms the success of our programs and opens new doors for visibility, funding, and partnerships. However, to capitalize on this momentum and expand our reach in 2025, we need your support.

With your help, we aim to raise $7,000 to fund our program initiatives and invest in the future growth of World at Hand. The funds will directly support:

The Global Access Passport (GAP) Program: Our core program that helps students obtain their first passport, breaking down one of the biggest barriers to international travel. GAP participants gain essential skills in budgeting, trip planning, and cultural awareness. With a 100% recommendation rate and 85% success rate of students using their passports within a year, the GAP Program is truly life-changing. We aim to award 50 passports in 2025, tripling our current numbers.

Dreamers Abroad Pilot Program: A new initiative designed for undocumented students ("Dreamers"). This program will help participants safely travel abroad through the Advanced Parole process, allowing them to study, work, or connect with family outside the U.S. By piloting this program with 2 students, we aim to demonstrate that international opportunities should be accessible to all, regardless of legal status.

What’s Next? Pilot Program: After their international experience, students often wonder, “What’s next?” This program helps them reflect on their travels, identify the skills they’ve gained, and apply those skills to their academic, professional, and personal lives. We will pilot this program with 5 students, supporting them in crafting resumes, practicing interview skills, and planning their next steps.

Statewide Informational Sessions: Knowledge is the first step toward action. We’ll host 8 sessions, reaching 240 students across Colorado, including expansion into rural communities where access to international education is limited. These sessions introduce students and families to the benefits of studying abroad and guide them on how to get started.

Building Our Endowment Fund: We are allocating $1,000 from the campaign towards our endowment savings. This strategic investment will strengthen our financial foundation, ensuring the longevity of our study abroad scholarships and helping us plan for sustainable, long-term growth

Why Your Support Matters

For many of our students, these programs offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Having a passport can be the key that unlocks the door to the world—a critical step towards exploring new cultures, gaining new perspectives, and realizing personal and professional potential. Yet, in the U.S., only 21% of adults from households earning less than $50,000 have a passport, compared to 64% of adults in households earning over $100,000. This gap represents a significant barrier to international experiences, one that we are determined to close.

How You Can Support

1. Donate:

   • Make a Year-End Gift or schedule your donation for Giving Tuesday (December 3) or Colorado Gives Day (December 10). Early giving is already underway, so you can schedule your gift now to help us reach our goal.

   • Give Monthly: Even small monthly contributions have a mighty impact:

     • $5/month funds an informational session, reaching an average of 30 students.

     • $20/month provides a passport for a student through our Global Access Passport (GAP) Program.

   2. Volunteer Your Time:

   • As a volunteer-run organization, we are always seeking new volunteers to help further our mission and improve World at Hand. To register your interest please complete our Volunteer Sign-Up Form.

     Ways to volunteer include but are not limited to:

     • Sharing content on social media and engaging in word-of-mouth advertising

     • Volunteering at a GAP program and working with our students

     • Going to schools and presenting programs

     • Volunteering with various fundraisers (Broncos Games, Rockies Games, Bridging the Gap)

     • Hosting an informational at your home

     • Contributing content on BSOTA

     • Contributing your special skills to the running of our organizationort.

   3. Join Our Leadership Team:

   • We are actively seeking new Board Members who are passionate about our mission and eager to help guide our growth. Please send an interest email to shawn.wall@worldathand.org if interested.

   4. Spread Awareness:

   • Share our campaign on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, tell friends and family about our work, and help us connect with new supporters and interested students.

   5. Make a Pledge:

   • If you’re not ready to give today, consider making an Equal Access Pledge pledge for 2025. Your commitment helps us plan ahead and ensures consistent support for our expanding programs.

The #SmallButMighty Campaign isn’t just about raising funds; it’s about demonstrating the power of community. It’s about proving that when we come together, even small actions can lead to big, lasting change. Our team, our volunteers, and our supporters may be small in number, but we are mighty in spirit. With your help, we can continue breaking down barriers and creating a pathway for every student to experience the world.

Will you join us in making a difference?

Let’s show that a small but mighty team can achieve extraordinary things. Together, we can make the world more accessible, one student at a time.