Making a Donation
Interested in donating financial resources or economic patronage to protect and positively impact some of the cultures and environments you've visited?

Browse and select from the following travel philanthropy projects. Once you choose a project, you can contribute any amount, using a credit/debit card, check, PayPal, or stock transfer. Gift registries can be set up for special events, and donors can "give" any project as a gift.

These contributions directly support the entrepreneurial work of project leaders throughout the world, who are bringing innovative, empowering solutions to challenging social problems at the local community level.

All donations made to projects go through Sustainable Travel International, a registered 501(c)(3) entity, and are fully tax-deductible.

GlobalGiving
STI is collaborating with GlobalGiving to offer travel philanthropy projects around the world. GlobalGiving is an online marketplace that enables people to donate to high-quality, high-impact projects around the world. Giving directly enables more funding to reach projects. In fact, a full eighty-five percent of donations through GlobalGiving and STI go directly to the projects you select, a higher percentage than is typical for traditional aid channels. Specifically, STI retains 5% to cover transaction fees, and GlobalGiving retains 10% to maintain its global network of community-based projects. The net result? GlobalGiving and STI deliver a more transparent, engaging way for donors to give.

Because we enable donors to give directly to projects, you will know exactly where your money is going. The donations you make are higher impact because the money you donate goes directly to a well-defined project versus supporting general operating expenses. In addition, many of the projects we're featuring are located in the developing world where a little money goes a long way.

Africa

Madagascar: Community Run Marine Conservation
Kenya: Reverse Deserts through Community Transformation

Asia and Oceania

India: Rickshaw Bank Project
Indonesia: Sustainable agriculture training in Indonesia
Nepal: Ensure food security through sustainable practices
Nepal: Ensure young people get an education
Philippines: Protecting the 32,000-hectare Tubbataha Reefs
Sri Lanka: Rebuild Livelihoods of Sri Lankan Tsunami Victims

Central and South America

Argentina: Sustainable water use in 20 communities
Brazil: Protect Rain Forest with sustainable practices
Columbia: Restoring Forests for the people of Chocó
Honduras: Nature Guide Training
Nicaragua: Helping poor Nicaraguans start sustainable businesses
Peru: Bring renewable energy to 20 Peruvian communities

Europe and the Middle East

Israel: Renewable Energy Community Entrepreneurship
Ukraine: Reducing Harbor Porpoise Bycatch in the Black Sea

North America

Haiti: Safe Drinking Water & Planting Trees
Mexico: Promote Sustainable Agriculture in Chiapas
United States: Post-Katrina Small Business Help for Delta's Poor

Additional Projects

If a region you've visited isn't currently included in our list and you know of a great travel philanthropy project, let us know. If you want to evaluate the extent to which a project support sustainable development, consider asking the project provider a few direct questions like: What are the goals of the project? What percentage of revenue goes directly to the project versus going to administration / overhead costs? What does the project fund specifically? How is the money allocated?

If these questions can't be answered to your satisfaction, consider finding another project to support. As a rule of thumb, the more localized the project, the more likely your donations will directly support local environmental and community development initiatives.