TORONTO — Intrepid Travel is pledging AUD$1 million (about Cdn$890,000) towards local communities around the world in 2024, through its nonprofit arm, The Intrepid Foundation.
Intrepid’s announcement follows the foundation’s most successful fundraising year to date in 2023.
As part of the pledge, Intrepid is matching public contributions from Jan. 1, 2024, up to AUD$1 million. By ensuring contributions go twice as far, Intrepid aims to empower travellers to give back to the 45 grassroots NGOs chosen by its local teams in the destinations they visit.
In 2023, The Intrepid Foundation raised over AUD$2.7 million (Cdn$2.4 million) for a diverse range of community projects and appeals across the globe – the foundation’s most successful fundraising year to date, since it was established in 2002.
Education for All – The Intrepid Foundation
Here’s a look at three of the foundation’s achievements in 2023…
Morocco Earthquake Appeal
- 108 tons of emergency supplies were delivered to 69 villages in 48 municipalities, directly supporting 3,872 families through its 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 its local partner, Education for All.
Blue Dragon Marathon Fundraiser
- intrepid communities raised AUD$328,000 (Cdn$293,000) through marathon events held in several cities including Melbourne, London, Toronto, Osaka and Singapore.
- Contributions will 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 their November Promotion, Eurail donated 10 euros for every Eurail and Interrail Pass sold, to The Intrepid Foundation’s seven local NGO partners. The Journeys That Make A Difference campaign contributed AUD$430,000 (Cdn$384,000) to community causes including Cooperativa Coraggio in Italy, Humana Zagreb in Croatia and REFOOD in Portugal.
Intrepid’s Managing Director of EMEA Zina Bencheikh, based in Morocco, said: “Here in Morocco, I witnessed our teams rally together to provide comfort in a time of incredible loss. The needs of communities like those of the High Atlas Mountains are the reasons why this foundation exists. By introducing this new matching initiative, we aim to assure our travellers that any amount they’re able to give will go a long way.”
Biheng Zhang, General Manager of The Intrepid Foundation, added: “We consistently hear from travellers who want to do more for the local communities they visit. 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.”
Beyond the AUD$1 million company donation, The Intrepid Foundation is aiming to raise a further AUD$2 million through travellers’ contributions in 2024.
More information plus an opportunity to contribute to The Intrepid Foundation’s efforts can be found at www.theintrepidfoundation.org.
