Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook - Center for Responsible Travel

Global Sojourns and the GS Giving CircleBy Priscilla MacyPresident, Global SojournsGlobal Sojourns (www.globalsojourns.com) is a boutique adventure travel company thatspecializes in customized mid-range and luxury level trips to Africa. Global Sojourns wasfounded in 1997 in Zimbabwe and is currently based in Arlington, VA. The owner, PriscillaMacy, is full-time and there are a few part-time/contract staff.• When and Why Did You Begin a Travelers’Philanthropy Program?I lived in Africa and worked in international developmentbefore starting the company. Although I now live in theUnited States, I wanted to continue to “give back” to Africaand, at the same time, to assist clients who wanted toprovide meaningful support in Africa. My prior work indevelopment and women’s’ issues, together with myextensive research on effective use of small grants,influenced my decision to focus on supporting girls andeducation via community-based organizations.Visiting children who GSGC supportswith school fees, Dambwa, Zambia.Credit: Global Sojourns.When I was looking for a model for the Global Sojourns’ philanthropic program, I met Marc RossManashil at CREST’s first Travelers’ Philanthropy Conference in 2004 at Stanford University.Marc was working for the Clarence Foundation and promoting international philanthropy throughthe concept of Giving Circles. The model appealed to me because it provides a great platformfor donor involvement and learning. The Global Sojourns’ Giving Circle officially began in 2007(www.gsgivingcircle.org).• How do You Select Projects?Working with the Clarence Foundation andusing our own contacts, we looked for small,well-run community- based organizations thatfocus on assisting children, especially girls, andsupporting education.We developed a list of criteria (e.g. overallbudget, leadership) which we used to identifypotential partners (grantees). Originally, theGlobal Sojourns’ Giving Circle (GSGC)Visit with micro-loan recipients, Zambia.Credit: Global Sojourns.members met by conference call to discuss and decide which projects to support. We nowhave a vetting committee selected from among our donors that proposes a list of organizations78