Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

form of education, lobbying, and funding. Membership has steadily grown over the years so thatby 2010, full members totaled about fifty.• How Do You Select Projects?IGTOA solicits proposals from key organizations working in the islands. It works closely with theCharles Darwin Foundation which does critical scientific and conservation work. In addition, itfunds programs by WildAid which is active in the Marine Reserve. It also supports ConservationInternational, the Galapagos National Park, CAPTURGAL (the local chamber of tourism), andother organizations. Once projects are proposed, they are voted upon by the Full Members ofIGTOA during the annual meeting.• How are the Company and its Employees Involved in Philanthropy?Member companies assign someone to coordinatewith IGTOA, and usually this is the Galapagos orSouth American destination manager. Companymanagement is usually involved, sometimesserving as officers on the board. The IGTOAExecutive Committee comes from the membershipand each officer serves, without pay, for two years.There is a part time Executive Director whohandles the administration, communication, annualmeeting, proposals, voting, and other matters. Thisperson works for a modest salary.• How are the Funds Actually Raised?Scalesia school conservation project, Galapagos.Credit: IGTOAIGTOA generates income from membership dues and two forms of donations. Annual dues payfor much of the administrative cost. But donations provide the revenue used to fund projects.The American Institute of Philanthropy recommends that at least 60% of a nonprofit’s revenuesgo toward programs. IGTOA does considerably more than that. Just 15% of our income goes toadministration, and 85% is distributed to program funding as follows:- 45% IGTOA’s Conservation Fund.- 40% Professional Standards Fund (visitor experience, safety, quality).- 15% Development Fund (education, communication, lobbying).Donations come from two sources:o Some members are part of IGTOA’s Traveler Funding Program. Under this program,members put a $50 optional line item in the invoices of their Galapagos travelers. Alarge percentage of travelers pay this as a donation.oThe second way companies can participate in funding is to simply pay $7 for eachtraveler they send to the Galapagos. This type of funding produces much less,however, and is being phased out.44