28 October 2026
By Samaya Shah, OSCAR Young Ambassador and Executive Director of the International Young Leaders Council
What inspired you to fundraise for OSCAR?
My connection to OSCAR began with a visit to the OSCAR communities in India when on vacation to visit relatives. When I learned about OSCAR’s plans to bring six girls from Mumbai to the United States for an educational experience, I knew I wanted to help make it possible.
Having seen the impact of OSCAR’s work, I now understood that this trip represented much more than travel. It was an opportunity for six girls to explore new environments and return home with fully new perspectives they could share with their friends/communities.
How did you get other young people involved?
Now this – this was hard. The biggest lesson I learned was that fundraising becomes so much more powerful when you stop thinking about what you can accomplish alone. But getting teenagers involved was easier said than done!
As Executive Director of the International Young Leaders Council (IYLC), I invited young people across the globe, especially in the United States, to join OSCAR’s mission. Many had never fundraised before, and others had a million questions. My biggest challenge was convincing students that their ideas were actually worth trying. I spent a ton of time encouraging them, answering questions, and pushing them outside their comfort zones. Rather than “prescribing” one fundraising method, I wanted everyone to find what worked for their own community.
Hailey Kolke — Brighton, Michigan: Organized a plastic bottle drive, collecting and recycling bottles to raise $250 for the campaign.
Joshua Lee — San Mateo, California: Visited a senior living home to introduce residents to OSCAR’s mission and raise awareness among an entirely new audience.
And the results were amazing! Students organized car washes, bake sales, yard sales, and neighborhood outreach. Some distributed flyers door-to-door, while others introduced OSCAR to senior citizens who had never heard of the organization. It was so cool to watch students who initially doubted themselves bring their ideas to life.
Sabina Marshall — Dover, Delaware: Distributed flyers at her local public library, spreading awareness about OSCAR.
Arya Kornu — Lumberton, North Carolina: One of my favorites! Raised $300 through a creative snack and drink stand in his front yard, complete with OSCAR posters!
What was your biggest takeaway?
I learned that people are far more willing to support a cause when they feel they actually have a real role in it. It wasn’t about asking every student to raise a certain amount of money. It was about giving them the freedom to contribute their own ideas. I also realized that fundraising is about much more than donations. Every conversation and community event introduced new people to OSCAR’s incredible mission.
What advice would you give another young person starting a fundraiser?
Start with a cause you actually care about, and don’t be scared to start small. You don’t need a large platform or an elaborate event to make a difference. JUST DO IT!
More importantly, invite friends to build alongside you. Give people ownership over their contributions and remember that a successful fundraiser isn’t necessarily the one with the most elaborate strategy. If there’s one thing this experience taught me, it’s that leadership isn’t measured by how many people follow your ideas, but by how many people you empower to create their own.