How Much Should I Raise for my Kilimanjaro Charity Climb?

The obvious answer is the more money you can raise for your charity, the better. It would be nice if we all had the ability to reach millions of people like celebrities can. However, remember that every bit helps so do not be discouraged if raising millions, or even thousands of dollars, seems out of reach.

Create a fundraising target that is both realistic, yet ambitious. Plan well ahead and start fundraising as soon as have committed to the Kilimanjaro climb. Calculate how long you have to raise the money and set periodic goals to ensure you are on track.

Clever ways to tie donations to elements of the Kilimanjaro climb are listed below:

  • There are six eco systems you hike through. You can target a donation amount per eco system, say $1,000 per zone, and raise a total of $6,000.
  • Depending on the route, there are four to seven campsites you will stay overnight. You can target a donation amount per campsite, say $,1000 per site, for a total of $4,000-$7,000.
  • Your trek can be anywhere for five to eight days. You can target a donation amount for each day you spend on the mountain, say $1,000 per day, for a total of $5,000-$8,000.
  • The routes vary from to 30 to 50 miles roundtrip. You can find donors to sponsor every mile you walk, say for $2 a mile, for $60 to $100 per donor. Or convert to kilometers for a higher fundraising target.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro is 19,341 feet high. You can have donors sponsor each foot you climb for $1, raising a total $19,341. Or convert to meters, for $5,895.

Note that climbing Kilimanjaro is not a cheap adventure. Prices for the climb itself range from $1500 to $5000, depending on the chosen tour operator. Additionally, there are airfare costs (about $1500-$2000), staff tips ($150-$300), hotel costs ($50-$150), transportation ($50-$100), food ($20-$50), visas ($50-$100), vaccinations (up to $500), and gear (up to $1000). The bare minimum one would expect to spend is about $4000, but that figure can be much higher.

You can pay for the trip with your personal funds so that 100% of the donations you collect go to the charity, or you can use donations to cover part or the entire trip cost. Certainly it is desirable to pay for your climb and all related expenses on your own. Otherwise, potential donors may perceive that you are asking them to pay for your vacation, instead of supporting a good cause. Paying for your own trip leaves no doubt that your intentions are well meaning.