The New York City Chapter of AMIGOS covers program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. These include a letter-writing annual fund appeal to friends and family, and a spring fundraiser. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. All volunteers are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community.

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of 100 letters and 100 emails to friends and family, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.

Spring Fundraiser

Each family is expected to donate a silent auction item to the Spring Fundraiser and to purchase two (2) tickets.The event format consists of a silent auction featuring approximately 40 items, followed by a live auction of higher valued items masterfully conducted by Jan Nolte, formerly of Christieʼs and parent to an AMIGOS alumna. For more information about the auction contact auction@amigosnyc.org.

Additional funding opportunities

All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.

We offer financial assistance to qualified applicants on a rolling basis. Apply by November 4th to be considered.

Fees

Application Fee: $50

Family Fee: $4,250 (payment plan options available)

Group fundraising participation required

FEES INCLUDE

• Round-trip international airfare
• Training materials and workshops
• Secondary short-term international medical insurance
• Program excursions
• Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
• Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
• 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
• Travel hotline and support

Click here for more information about our Fees & Funding.

DUE DATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

• Participants pay their family fees beginning December 15th. The fee must be paid by April 15.
• Fees can be paid online or by mail.
• Payment plans are available.

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts TBA to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications are due on November 4th. Please contact info@amigosnyc.org for additional information.

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With 50 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips volunteers with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The New York City Chapter AMIGOS training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help students succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated the New York City Chapter Training Director.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:

• Unparalleled leadership development
• Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
• Hands-on training for technical aspects of the program
• Extensive health and safety training
• Opportunities to practice Spanish
• Creating a community of young people with shared values

THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:

• Five Sunday trainings
• Two overnight retreats
• Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer

TRAINING CALENDAR

TBD