When you donate to Travel For Better, you’re not just supporting one organization or one cause—you’re becoming part of a global movement to use travel as a force for good.
We believe in the power of tourism to uplift communities, protect the planet, and build sustainable local economies. But we also know it takes careful stewardship to ensure that funds are used wisely, transparently, and effectively. That’s where we come in.
Why Donate Through Travel For Better?
You may be wondering: Why give through us instead of donating directly to a project?
It’s a great question—and one we’re proud to answer.
At Travel For Better, we act as a bridge between donors and the world’s most impactful, tourism-adjacent initiatives. Many grassroots projects doing incredible work don’t have the reach, visibility, or infrastructure to attract global support. Others lack the capacity for donor communication or financial transparency. We help solve those gaps.
When you give through us:
- You’re ensuring accountability. Every project we support is personally vetted through a structured process including interviews, financial review, and a vote from our Advisory Board.
- You’re promoting equitable distribution. We intentionally seek out a range of projects—big and small, well-known and emerging—so your donation reaches communities that need it most.
- You’re supporting under-the-radar initiatives. We amplify overlooked efforts that are doing meaningful, measurable work behind the scenes.
How We Select & Support Projects
Travel For Better focuses on tourism-adjacent projects that align with one or more of our three pillars: People, Planet, and Economy.
Our current model leverages deep industry relationships to discover promising projects around the world. Once a potential partner is identified, we:
- Conduct in-depth interviews with the organization
- Request and review financial documents
- Evaluate the project’s long-term impact and alignment with our mission
- Present the opportunity to our Advisory Board for final approval
Though we don’t yet have a formal reporting timeline or tech-based tracking system, we plan to follow up with projects regularly and share those updates directly with our donors.
Where Your Money Goes
We know transparency matters. That’s why we’re upfront about how your donations are used.
The majority of every donation goes directly to vetted projects. A small percentage supports our operations—including our two part-time staff members who manage the day-to-day work of sourcing projects, handling donations, and building educational tools for travel advisors.
Both of our staff—Executive Director, Kristin Winkaffe and Chief Program Officer, Annie Jones—are hourly contractors, which means funds only go toward work that directly supports the mission. Their time is focused on:
- Project vetting and donation oversight
- Building long-term, mission-aligned partnerships
- Creating products and education tools that help fund our work and grow impact across the travel industry
Types of Projects We Support
We look for initiatives that fall at the intersection of tourism and impact—projects that help travel become a positive force for the places and people it touches. These might include:
- Environmental restoration in vulnerable travel destinations
- Community-led cultural preservation projects
- Local entrepreneurship programs in developing regions
- Education and skills training for workers in the tourism economy
- Sustainable infrastructure that supports both locals and visitors
Our first supported initiative is a beautiful example:
👉 The Diyoveya Honey Project
Giving Options
Right now, we offer open one-time donations through our website. You can choose any amount that feels right for you.
Want to make a recurring gift, give as a business, or explore sponsorship options?
We’d love to hear from you! Just email us at info@travelforbetter.org to start a conversation.
At this time, we do not allow donations to be designated to specific projects—but we hope to offer that functionality in the future.
How You’ll Stay in the Loop
Donors can expect updates as projects progress. We’ll share impact stories and progress reports via email and blog posts so you can see the real-world results of your generosity.
Our Mission & Values
Travel For Better is a nonprofit dedicated to making travel a force for good. We support projects around the world that align with our three core pillars:
- People: Respect cultures, uplift communities, and foster meaningful connections
- Planet: Promote responsible, regenerative tourism
- Economy: Keep wealth local and build sustainable prosperity
Our values—empowerment, inclusivity, sustainability, compassion, and collaboration—guide every decision we make. With your support, we’re not just funding projects—we’re changing the future of travel.
