Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

ooooooTwice a year, READ sends a letter to the donors on its database. Myths sends out apersonalized version of this solicitation letter to its travelers, telling them about READand asking them to send contributions to the READ Global Office in San Francisco.Travelers who participate in the READ trips are asked to contribute a specified taxdeductible sum to READ Global as part of the travel suggestions.Each returning Myths traveler receives a READ brochure with their trip evaluationpackage and a note about the organization.During trips to Nepal, Bhutan and soon India, we try and take guests to see theREAD projects. Often the guests ask what is needed and what they can do to help.When READ has fundraisers in different areas, Myths and Mountains sendsinvitations to their travelers who live nearby.Once a year, in Incline Village, the home of READ, Myths sponsors a largefundraiser, bringing in world-renowned speakers or performers. At that time, Mythsand READ actively solicit funds from attendees.• Do Travelers Visit the Project Sites?On READ trips to Nepal and Bhutan,travelers visit several READ libraries indifferent parts of the country, visit the READoffice, meet with the local villagers who usethe libraries, and spend time with localadvisory board members. As libraries arefinished in India, these sites will also beincluded in programs.On non-READ trips, Myths and Mountainstries to include visits to READ sites, whenthey fit with the program, or to other librariesin countries where READ does not have theircenters.Gathering at READ Global Library, NepalCredit: Toni Neubauer• Do You Offer Opportunities for Voluntourism?Tourists can bring books or other materials with them on READ trips, but Myths does notspecifically involve tourists in building the libraries. READ’s philosophy is that theconstruction and oversight needs to be done by the local community. If tourists build thelibrary, villagers do not have the same sense of personal ownership. READ is about a“hands up, not a hand out!”41