To sign up for an FDX, an FD alumni must:

• Have completed a FD1 Program
* Some FDX programs allow for +1’s to attend. For programs open to caregivers, the same fundraising requirements apply. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

Once you are signed up for an FDX, an FD alumni:
• Is required to fundraise in order to participate. The FDX requirement must be met at the time of the program start date.

• Must submit an FDX fundraising agreement with a valid credit card. If you do not reach the fundraising requirement by the deadline, your credit card will be charged the difference.

• Is fully responsible for the full fundraising requirement, unless cancellation is due to cancer-related medical issues.

• Will cover the cost of travel to and from the program start and end point.

After receiving thoughtful feedback from our community of fundraisers and participants, First Descents has adjusted the FDX fundraising model. Moving forward, we recommend that you wait to do the majority of your fundraising until you have been officially accepted onto an FDX program. If you choose to start a fundraiser before being accepted, you can earn a $250 credit towards a future FDX program. This credit has no expiration, but in order to receive the credit you must fundraise a minimum of $500.

FDX programs are about continuing your Out Living It adventures, while giving back to support our mission. With the new fundraising model, you have the opportunity to apply a $250 credit towards a future FDX fundraiser, and more importantly, the remaining funds you’ve raised will support life-changing programs for new FD participants.

The new model will also support your fundraising process! Over the years, FD has found that fundraising towards a specific campaign or adventure is most successful. Fundraising once you have been accepted onto an FDX program will allow you to form a unique narrative that will inspire donors to support your goal of Out Living It abroad!

To honor our previous FDX fundraising guidelines, any OLIP funds raised during 2018 and 2019 can be used towards a 2020 FDX program. Beginning August 1st, 2019 all FDX programs will switch to the new fundraising model. We recommend participants wait to do the majority of their fundraising until they are officially accepted for a program.

For any specific OLIP questions, reach out to [email protected]

Step 1 - Check out our current FDX offerings, and see if there is a program you are excited to get out on

Step 2 - During the open application window, submit an application for a program that you are interested in.

NOTE: Program inquiries will open approximately 7 months before a program start date. The inquiry window will close 6 months before the program, and individuals will be notified of availability. For programs that are not full, the inquiry will remain open until the program is full.

Step 3 - Start fundraising. You can jump start your fundraising for an FDX program by starting an Out Living It Project now. If you raise $500 towards your OLIP, you earn an OLIP Tee, as well as a $250 credit to use towards any FDX program minimum you are accepted on! Once you are selected for a program you will create a new fundraising page with all of the participants on the program. We will be there every step of the way for you to go above and beyond your program minimum, and pay it forward to other young adults impacted by cancer.

NOTE: First Descents will prioritize placement for FDX programs based on the following criteria:

• Has completed an FD1 weeklong program of any sport

• Enrollment preference is given to FD Alum who have never been on an FDX experience before

• Once new FD Alum are accounted for, return or repeat FDX Alum will be added according to the above criteria

FDX is your opportunity to use adventure to pay it forward and send more first-time participants to First Descents. We expect you to GO BIG with fundraising and we’ll be there to help you every step of the way...

If you’re ready to fundraise ASAP, kick things off by creating an Out Living It Project (firstdescents.org/out-living-it/) immediately. We recommend that you wait to do the majority of your fundraising until you have been officially accepted onto an FDX program. If you choose to start a fundraiser before being accepted, you can earn a $250 credit towards a future FDX program. This credit has no expiration, but in order to receive the credit you must fundraise a minimum of $500.

FDX programs are about continuing your Out Living It adventures, while giving back to support our mission. With our fundraising model, you have the opportunity to apply a $250 credit towards a future FDX fundraiser, and more importantly, the remaining funds you’ve raised will support life-changing programs for new FD participants.

To honor our previous FDX fundraising guidelines, any OLIP funds raised during 2018 and 2019 can be used towards a 2020 FDX program. Beginning August 1st, 2019 all FDX programs will switch to the new fundraising model. We recommend participants wait to do the majority of their fundraising until they are officially accepted for a program.

For any specific OLIP questions, reach out to [email protected]

FUNDRAISING INCENTIVES:

We love celebrating fundraising milestones while you crush it!

Raise $500
• Earn your official Out Living It Project tech-tee
• Earn a $250 credit towards your eventual FDX with no time restrictions

Reached your program fundraising minimum? Nice work! AND don’t Stop - Keep Fundraising! The more you raise the greater the impact!
• Earn a $50 gift certificate to the FD Store

Double your minimum!
• Sponsor two first-time FD participants!

Raise $10,000
• Sponsor a multi-day FD Program for 15 participants!

1. Will there be a spot for me on an FDX since I did my Weeklong program last year? FDX Applications are reviewed after the application window has closed. Check out the specific application windows to make sure you get your in on time. We cannot guarantee anyone a spot on a program, but encourage everyone to submit an application!

2. Can my fundraising for a First Descents team event count towards an FDX? OLIP event fundraisers cannot be used towards an FDX fundraiser. For example, if you sign up to run the NYC marathon, you cannot use any additional funds raised towards an FDX program.

3. How are FDX participants selected? First Descents will prioritize placement for FDX adventures based on the following:
• Have completed a weeklong program of any sport – Whitewater Kayaking, Surfing, Rock Climbing or Ice Climbing

• Enrollment preference is given to FD alum who have never been on an FDX experience before

*For FDX programs open to caregivers, they will be held to the same fundraising requirements as alumni.

4. Does the money I raise ever expire?You can start fundraising for an FDX at any time, and earn a $250 credit towards any FDX program, by raising $500. If received, the $250 credit does not expire.

5. What about money I’ve raised prior to the current program season? Once received, the $250 credit towards an FDX does not expire.

• If you have officially signed up to attend an FDX program and have to cancel your spot for any reason not related to a cancer/serious health related issue, you will be responsible for a percentage of the fundraising requirement.

• If you drop out of your FDX program in the 4 months to 8 weeks prior to program start date, you will be responsible for 50% of the fundraising requirement, the remaining funds you have raised can be transferred to a future FDX.

• If you drop out of your FDX within 8 weeks of the program start date, you will be responsible for 100% of the fundraising requirement and cannot transfer the remaining funds you’ve raised towards a future FDX.

• If you have to cancel your enrollment in an FDX program due to cancer/serious health related issues, your fundraising will be forwarded to a future FDX (with the appropriate documentation)