MEMBER DIRECTED GIVING
A condition of membership for our accommodation, DMC, guide and operator members is that they donate 50% of their membership fees (or more should they choose) to a local project of their choice in their destination. All these projects have the opportunity to be nominated for our Community Impact Fund, should they meet our philanthropic criteria. Use our interactive map to discover the projects supported by our members in-destination.
member directed giving: how it works
Our Member Directed Giving programme allows members on the ground to identify and support grassroots projects in their community, and develop meaningful philanthropic partnerships. Members give through us, donating half of their membership fees directly to projects, with many members giving significantly more to increase their impact.
Where members already have partnerships or foundations in place, we can raise the profile of these projects within our community, and they can apply for our Community Impact Fund grants. Where members are seeking to develop philanthropic partnerships, our criteria and framework provide a robust guide to doing so.
For our Community Impact Fund projects, we seek to fund projects that are community-based and locally-led, that may struggle to access traditional funding opportunities. The projects must have a link to tourism and have the potential to become revenue generating. For Member Directed Giving, the projects don’t have to meet all the criteria, but they must do so to be nominated for a Community Impact Fund grant.
LOCAL PROJECTS: CASE STUDY
OCEANS ALIVE, KENYA
SUPPORTED BY: SEAS FOR LIFE
Oceans Alive is a community conservation enterprise, having established Kenya’s first community-run marine sanctuary, a 30-hectare no-take zone that has resulted in a 400% increase in fish biomass and significant ecosystem recovery since 2006. This self-financed eco-tourism model offers snorkelling, reef walks and glass-bottom boat tours, generating income for conservation and community. The project aims to expand eco-tourism along the Kenyan coast.
Frente Insular de la Reserva Marina de Galápagos, ECUADOR
supported by: MONTEMAR ECO LUXURY VILLAS
Frente Insular strengthens social and environmental responsibility in the Galapagos by engaging kids, teens, and adults through its hands-on programmes. The project aims to instill a lasting culture of environmental stewardship, empowering the community to protect their fragile ecosystem. The team are is looking to increase the frequency of their educational workshops, beach cleanups, science events, and broadcast a weekly radio show to continue educating local communities on the importance of their unique and fragile ecosystem.
