Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

2) Via a local foundation your company helps to create, or3) To a foundation or non-profit organization based in the U.S., Australia, UK or another “home”country for international travelers with which you establish a relationship, or4) Through an online service, such as CREST’s Travelers’ Philanthropy online giving portal(www.travelersphilanthropy.org).Options 3 and 4 may make the donations tax deductible. (See Legal Issues, Chapter 6)Ensure that donations are not deposited or held within your travel company accountsirrespective of how travelers submit their funds. For a number of reasons, donations should bemanaged and accounted for separately from the finances of your business.• Seven Principles for Managing Donated FundsIf funds are raised from your clientele or the public via any of these methods, there are, in turn,at least seven principles which must be considered when receiving, distributing, and reportingon the use of these funds:Principle 1: All fundraising activities are conducted withintegrity, honesty, and openness.This will help safeguard the name and public’s trust of yourcompany and the recipient organization or NGO that ismanaging the local project for which funds are being solicited.When conducting fund-raising activities:o Have clear policies and procedures and comply with them.o Be open with your process.o Give accurate information in your fundraising materialsoand beware of spin or exaggeration.Be aware of privacy laws and expectations – privileged orconfidential information must not be disclosed tounauthorized parties.o Be aware of copyright considerations and seekpermissions for reproducing information, photographs, andlogos from the organization or NGO you are supporting.oTrust is critical and must not be betrayed.Raising donations from travelers.Credit: Intrepid Travel.Principle 2: Philanthropic goal must be put above personal gain.o Management and board members of the travelers' philanthropy project or organizationshould publicly disclose their relevant expertise and credentials.o Avoid any potential or actual conflicts of interest. Have each board member complete aquestionnaire once a year, outlining their regular activities and their other involvements.o In cases of possible conflict of interest or bias, require board members to excusethemselves from any vote on that issue.Principle 3: Foster empowerment, self-determination, tolerance, and equal and fairtreatment of all people.o Projects should aim at developing self-reliance and avoid encouraging dependency.o Encourage equal inclusion and broad community participation. Avoid all discriminationincluding that based on gender and ethnicity.o Promote human rights. Be aware of common exploitive practices.o Create employment opportunities. For example, don't import goods such as schoolsupplies which could be produced and purchased locally.o Ensure activities do not support any unethical or inappropriate activity.120