TEACHER STORY
How One Teacher Raised $156,000 to Go See The World
Dylan Maloney | Aug. 22, 2025
featuring: Gene Jenks
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For Gene Jenks, fundraising wasn’t just a means to an end—it was the beginning of an unforgettable journey. From their small community in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Gene and his students have raised over $156,000 to travel the world on not one but two EF tours. Here's how they pulled it off, and what they learned along the way.
Did you always know fundraising would be necessary in order for your students to travel?
We decided early on what was fair to ask of the families, then we set to raising the rest. As many of our students do not get to travel beyond Yellowknife or Edmonton, we knew that this was an opportunity for them that they may not get for a while, if ever. Plus, it connected with our curriculum, so it was a great complement to their learning.
What was your biggest worry or hesitation about fundraising and what helped you move past it?
Scarcity. We are a small town in the Arctic, so fundraising options can be hard to come by. We said yes to pretty much anything that came up. You can't think about the whole amount you need all of the time. Take one opportunity at a time, and stick with it. You need to trust in yourself and in your group.
How did you raise money for your tour?
We catered events hosted by our school, did bottle drives, started a GoFundMe, hosted a raffle with items either donated or purchased from Black Friday sales. We also worked a number of bingo nights (the biggest contributor to our fundraising), and went to community organizations for sponsorships.
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Do you have a rough breakdown of where your tour funding ended up coming from?
For our latest trip, we needed around $120,000:
28% Family Payment ($1699 each student)
20% Sponsorships/Grants
40% Fundraising Work
Were you surprised how much the community showed up to support?
Yes and no. I feel like certain groups here know the value that trips like these hold. We have two generous Indigenous groups up here who always support us. Plus, the more you do things like this, the more word gets out and others want to be involved. There was nothing but a green light on all fronts.
What did it mean to you, personally, when you realized your students were going to get to go?
Having worked with this group for three years as their teacher, it was great to know that we were going to end our collective experience together with such an event. There is a huge sense of accomplishment because you know that this will be something they will never forget. Plus, you take time at every fundraising event just to watch them as they work for it. It's work, but it’s arguably as important as the trip itself.
How do you think the act of fundraising changed your group—before you even left on tour?
I think they grew a sense of appreciation for what they did to earn it. The old adage that you enjoy something more if you work for it is true. While there were some times where I found myself scrambling to find help, for the most part I never worried about fulfilling our responsibilities. Most of these kids grew up together, so there was a sense of camaraderie and team spirit. That carried over to the trip.
What tips & tricks would you have for group leaders that are fundraising for the first time?
Don't be embarrassed to ask for support.
Focus on big-ticket events, if possible.
Ask for sponsorships, but not before your group has put work in. Let everyone know you're working hard for this.
Take what you can get, and make your efforts known. Make even the smallest thing a public event.
If catering, etc, place a collection box beside you with a big poster about your group and your trip. Every dollar counts.
What would you say to teachers who are hesitant to sign up for a trip because of the fundraising aspect?
Fundraising is a part of the experience. It's the voyage to get to the destination—but you need to make it known to the group that they will be expected to work. Fundraising cannot and should not rest solely on you. At the end of the day, all of that work is worth it. 100%. And you never know what may come of it—our fundraising for the Germany trip got us national news coverage!
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Gene’s story is proof that fundraising goes beyond the dollars—it's determination, community, and heart. And with the right mindset, your group can do it too.
Looking for more fundraising advice?
Christina, a teacher from Hamilton, Ontario gives us six fundraising tips that actually work
