The Intrepid Foundation has reported its biggest year of giving in its 24-year history, with more than $3.4 million distributed to 58 partner organisations across 45 countries in 2025, up 31 per cent on 2024.
In what was a stellar year of ‘meaning and milestones’, the Foundation reports it supported 58 partner organisations across 45 countries in 2025, up from 54 partners in 39 countries the previous year.
Six new partners were onboarded during the year, including Ezwitti in Jordan, Scholars of Sustenance in Indonesia, National Parks Conservation Association in the U.S., Monteverde Conservation League in Costa Rica and Tasuleasa Social Association in Romania.
Closer to home, the Foundation’s support helped Greening Australia scale ecosystem recovery across more than 50 restoration sites, where local teams planted 2.5 million native plants and prevented 14,000 tonnes of pollutants from reaching the sea. Greening Australia also received a AU$50,000 impact grant during the year.
Across the Tasman, Forest & Bird continued its work protecting nature in Aotearoa, extending its campaign to safeguard the ecologically significant Denniston Plateau and helping drive the passing of the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill. The organisation also ran its 20th annual Bird of the Year competition, attracting more than 67,000 votes.
How does the funding model work?
The Intrepid Foundation operates what it describes as a trust-based, locally led approach to giving. Local Intrepid teams identify and support grassroots partners in their own communities, with many connected to destinations visited on Intrepid’s 900-plus itineraries.
Intrepid Travel says it absorbs all administration costs so that 100 per cent of donations go directly to community causes. The company is B Corp certified and has been since 2018.
Traveller donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by Intrepid, according to the Foundation, with additional corporate backing from partners including Eurail.
The impact grants program, now in its third year, invites partners to pitch specific project ideas, with more than 700 Intrepid employees voting on finalists alongside a public Traveller’s Choice category.
Commenting on the Foundation’s biggest year of giving, Biheng Zhang, General Manager, The Intrepid Foundation, said: “The Intrepid Foundation operates on the belief that no one understands a community’s challenges better than the people on the ground, working with local organisations every day.
“The impact we achieved in 2025 was made possible by these remarkable and resilient individuals quietly leading change in their communities, alongside the generosity and connection our global travel community has shown to the places they visit.”
The record 2025 result remarkably also pushed the Foundation past AU$20 million in total funding distributed since its establishment in 2002, having supported more than 160 partners across 73 countries over that period.
What’s ahead in 2026?
The Foundation says it is targeting AU$4.3 million in funding in 2026 and plans to welcome close to 20 new partners, significantly expanding its current 58-partner network. Its longer-term ambition is to reach $10 million annually by 2030, a near-tripling of current levels that will require the pace of growth and support to accelerate considerably.
How did the Australian travel industry get involved?
Several of the Foundation’s 2025 campaigns drew widespread support from across the Australian travel industry.
The annual Blue Dragon Marathon Walk, which raises funds for Vietnam-based Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation and its work combating human trafficking, brought together walkers across 11 cities worldwide, with new events in Manhattan and Brisbane growing the community to more than 900 participants. APT Luxury Travel, IHG Hotels & Resorts and other industry partners backed the initiative, which raised more than AU$403,525.
The Foundation’s third annual Buffalo Ride saw 235 participants raise AU$116,149 — the equivalent of 464 Buffalo Bikes for World Bicycle Relief’s programs in low-income rural regions. A new Buffalo Ride Kenya fundraising trip also launched during the year, taking participants to see the impact of bicycle distribution firsthand.
To mark NAIDOC Week, the Foundation launched a separate fundraising push for partner Country Needs People and its work supporting Indigenous Rangers across Australia.
Intrepid Travel and Flight Centre each donated AU$25,000 to lead the campaign, with Karryon joining as the industry media partner and contributing for the second year running. Together, the campaign raised AU$61,850.
Matt Leedham, founder of Karryon, said: “‘Country Needs People’ – that’s all of us. And we need to make a difference now more than ever. All of us at Karryon are grateful for the incredible work you do. Thank you.”
For more information, you can download the Intrepid Foundation 2025 report here.
Karryon is a proud media partner of the Intrepid Foundation.
KARRYON UNPACKS: For travel advisors selling Intrepid, the Foundation’s growth and 100 per cent pass-through model gives a concrete talking point when clients ask about responsible travel credentials. The one per cent trip-cost donation option at booking is worth flagging to travellers who care about giving back, and the specific partner examples from this report can help advisors match clients to trips with a tangible community connection.
