Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

service projects, done together with community members. Finally, SCLC offers environmentaleducation lectures and field trips around Sarapiqui with biologists ($75 each).• How are YouaAnd Your Employees Involved in Travelers’ Philanthropy?Both Holbrook Travel and Selva Verde Lodge havemade financial contributions throughout the history ofthe Center. We have donated the use of the buildingand property. For many years, Holbrook Travel gave amonthly contribution of $500; currently, Holbrook iscontributing about $3000 per year. In addition, SelvaVerde has contributed roughly $2000 in cash per yearto the Center as well as paying for various servicesneeded by the Center. The Lodge employees are notdirectly involved in raising funds for the Center.• What Have Been Staff Reactions?Barman at Selva Verde Lodge, Costa Rica.Credit: Holbrook TravelThe Holbrook Travel staff, especially those who work with teachers on educationalprograms, are very enthusiastic about the Center and see it as a point of pride. Theyrecognize that the Center allows Holbrook’s tour participants to really connect with a ruralCosta Rican community, adding an important element to a group’s experience. The SelvaVerde staff is less visibly engaged in the Center although a number of members havelearned English at the Center and this enabled them to get better jobs at the Lodge.• Have You Provided Staff Training to Support Your Philanthropic Work?Holbrook staff involved with the teachers and students who participate in tours are trainedso they know about the trip destination, region, and site, including about the Center andwhat it offers. There is no real “training” for Selva Verde Lodge staff to teach them how topresent the Center, nor is there any engagement program to bring them closer to SCLC’sprograms.• How are Funds Actually Raised?There are four ways in which funds are raised to support the Center and its programs andprojects:ooTourism—Revenue from the sales of Rural Community Tourism activities. Thisis the biggest sources of funding, generating at least 75% of the income for theCenter and the host communities.Donations – Visitors and friends donate amounts in addition to the cost of theirtour. Most of these funds are earmarked for specific projects, especially the49