Groups use travel to educate, immerse major donors
“Jane Goodall began studying chimpanzees in Africa during the 1960s. Today, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) continues that research and has expanded its works across Africa to include assisting the surrounding communities of people.
“With its many works confined to remote areas of Africa, and many of its major donors in the United States, JGI in 2005 decided to connect the dots.
“‘We’d been running trips to East Africa, taking our board members to see our programs. That was so successful, we thought, “My gosh, we’ve got to do this with our major donors, too,”‘ said Sylvie Briscoe, manager of major gifts for JGI.
“For many nonprofits that work internationally, the fruits of their labor are confined to far-off lands. Likewise with major donors, the fruits of their gifts are likewise confined.
“But as more organizations seek to increase major donor involvement and enhance awareness, they’re offering high-end adventures straight from the pages of National Geographic Magazine, private jet tours around the world, unique cruises to remote islands, as well as opportunities to go off the beaten path — in your own backyard.
“The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines ecotourism as ‘responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.’ This concept has in recent years taken off exponentially as more Americans are taking an outward interest. And, donors are becoming equally intrigued by the impact of their dollars.
“‘That’s definitely the case,’ Martha Honey, executive director of TIES in Washington, D.C., said of the upswing of interest in ecotourism. Honey attributed the trend to a quartet of circumstances unique to now:
More developing nations and poor communities looking to ecotourism to help them protect local environments and alleviate poverty;
Increased donor demand for what Honey called Experiential Tourism or Experiential Learning, including adventure travel, organic foods, and ecotourism;
Baby Boomers beginning to retire, having disposable income, and wanting to see the world; and,
A growing segment of the population who say travel is an important part of how they define themselves.
“We’re seeing many more nonprofits tapping into their major donors in this way,” said Honey, who said TIES will hold its first eco-tour for prospective major donors next month. The objective is to show the prospects close-up what ecotourism is all about, and to provide them a hands-on experience of the organization’s work, “with the idea of having them come on board as major donors,” added Honey.”
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