ESSENDON players will help fund the club's move to its Melbourne Airport base by donating a percentage of their wages to the Flight Plan campaign.

The club targeted $3 million worth of donations from supporters and members when it launched the campaign in August last year, but is yet to pass $700,000.

Captain Jobe Watson said it was important the players were involved in the funding, and that they understood they were helping underwrite their own future at the club.

"As a playing group, we understand the significance of this project towards our future as players and as a football club," he said in a club statement.

"If we don't raise the money we need, the club will be forced to take on a level of debt that could impact our football department spending.

"We believe this is an important show of faith by the players in the direction of the club and hope that our supporters will join us."

Essendon is using its match with the Sydney Swans this week as an opportunity to again call on supporters to donate to the initiative.

The club, in partnership with broadcaster Channel 7, will hold a telethon during Saturday night's game with past players, premiership captains, current players and a number of high-profile supporters manning the phones.

Essendon has raised almost $18 million of the overall $25 million project cost, but received a blow last month when the Victorian Government knocked back the club's submission for up to $5 million of funding.

The club hopes to begin training at the centre before the start of the 2013 season.

Essendon supporters can find more information or donate to the Flight Plan online at theflightplan.com.au.