Intrepid To Spend $650,000 Supporting Local Communities Worldwide in 2024

On the heels of its most successful fundraising year to date, The Intrepid Travel Foundation has pledged to direct hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local communities across the globe.

The foundation, which is the non-profit arm of Intrepid Travel, has said it will distribute $650,000 to support communities worldwide.

As part of the pledge, Intrepid will match up to $650,000 in public contributions starting on January 1, 2024.

“By ensuring contributions go twice as far, Intrepid aims to empower travelers to give back to the 45 grassroots NGOs chosen by its local teams in the destinations they visit,” a press release from Intrepid Travel explains.
 
In 2023, which marked the foundation’s most successful fundraising year ever, more than $1.7 million was collected for community projects and appeals throughout the world.

The non-profit foundation selects local partners to work with that are focused on creating positive benefits and solutions on a variety of issues including inequality, economic development, environmental restoration, and wildlife protection.

The foundation also supports local communities that have experienced disasters, which in 2023 included providing assistance to Morocco, Turkey, and Syria.

Since being established in 2002, the foundation has raised more than $9.8 million for more than 160 partners. In addition, Intrepid Travel covers all administration costs associated with the non-profit, ensuring that 100 percent of donations go to local causes.

“We consistently hear from travelers who want to do more for the local communities they visit,” Biheng Zhang, general manager of The Intrepid Foundation, said in a statement. “While giving back, our host communities must lead the way. By introducing customers to these local initiatives during their Intrepid trips, we hope to bridge an important gap, and do more for the communities that have become like family through our travels."

Here’s a closer look at some of the foundation’s efforts in 2023.

Intrepid Travel Foundation delivered tons of emergency supplies to villages in Morocco after the 2023 earthquake. (Photo Credit: Courtesy Intrepid Travel)

Morocco Earthquake Appeal

• About 108 tons of emergency supplies were delivered to 69 villages in 48 municipalities, directly supporting 3,872 families through the foundation's local partner, High Atlas Foundation.
• Water restoration projects were initiated to support communities where safe drinking water supply had been damaged. 
• Short-term schooling, accommodations, supplies, clothing and free counseling support, as well as direct funds were established to rebuild permanent homes for 250 impacted students through the foundation's local partner, Education for All. 
  
  

Blue Dragon Marathon Fundraiser 

• Intrepid communities raised $216,000 through marathon events held in several cities including Melbourne, London, Toronto, Osaka and Singapore. 
• Contributions will be used to support human trafficking victims through the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam, providing essentials such as emergency accommodations, supplies, psychological support, job support, cooking sessions and art therapy.  
• Funds also enable prevention workers to provide student scholarships, organize career education, and offer medical care and cyber safety training for disadvantaged and high-risk communities.

Travel Industry Collaboration

In a major cross-industry collaboration highlighting how travel can serve as a force for good, Eurail partnered with The Intrepid Foundation to further its impact on communities and NGOs across Europe.

During a November promotion, Eurail donated 10 EUR for every Eurail and Interrail Pass sold to The Intrepid Foundation's seven local NGO partners.

The Journeys That Make A Difference campaign contributed $284,000 to community causes including Cooperativa Coraggio in Italy, Humana Zagreb in Croatia and REFOOD in Portugal.  

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