The Intrepid Foundation, the charitable arm of Intrepid Travel, has officially become a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States, marking a significant milestone in the company’s purpose-led growth across North America.
The move reinforces Intrepid’s long-term 2030 growth strategy, which places purpose, community impact, and responsible growth at the center of its expansion in the U.S. market. As Intrepid continues to scale its presence, The Intrepid Foundation U.S. status ensures that giving and impact grow alongside the business.
The new designation allows donations to be tax deductible for American donors and strengthens the platform for travel advisors, travelers, and industry partners to engage in charitable giving connected directly to the destinations they sell and visit.
Why This Matters for Travel Advisors
This makes it easier than ever to turn great trips into real impact in the places clients visit, while offering U.S. travelers a tax-deductible way to give back. It also creates new opportunities for advisors to engage clients, fundraise, and partner across the industry.
“Today’s travelers want more than a great itinerary, they want their trips to mean something,” said Leigh Barnes, President of the Americas at Intrepid Travel and Chair of the Board for The Intrepid Foundation U.S. “As advisors look for ways to stand out in a crowded market, purpose and impact are becoming part of the sales conversation. This gives them a trusted way to connect great travel with positive change.”
What It Means for the Travel Industry
The announcement comes at a time when sustainability, accountability, and community impact are increasingly central to the future of travel. Establishing a U.S.-based nonprofit signals long-term commitment, transparency, and trust in one of the world’s strongest philanthropic markets.
For Intrepid, it also underscores that purpose is not a side initiative, but a core pillar of its 2030 growth strategy. The Foundation’s focus will be on raising funds from travelers, travel advisors, and corporate partners, and working with vetted NGOs to deliver measurable impact in the places travelers visit. In the United States, this includes continued support for the protection of national parks like the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and the Grand Canyon Conservancy. In total, the Foundation raised more than $137,000 USD towards these causes in 2025.
Since its founding in 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has dispersed more than $14 million USD to 164 partner organizations across 73 countries, supporting initiatives that protect the environment, safeguard wildlife, promote gender equality, improve healthcare, and strengthen local communities.
“This is about putting purpose at the center of how travel grows,” Barnes said. “As we expand across the U.S., giving and impact have to scale with us. When purpose is built into the business model, everyone benefits. Advisors, travelers, communities, and the industry as a whole.”
ABOUT INTREPID TRAVEL
Intrepid Travel has been a world leader in responsible travel for more than 35 years. The company’s mission is to create positive change through the joy of travel, which comes to life on more than 900 trips all designed to truly experience local culture. With its own network of country offices in 33 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally recognised for their commitment to transparency and responsible travel, they became B-Corp certified in 2018. Their not-for-profit 501(c)(3), The Intrepid Foundation, has disbursed more than $14M USD to more than 160 partners. For more information, download the company’s 2024 Integrated Annual Report and follow Intrepid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or LinkedIn.
ABOUT THE INTREPID FOUNDATION
The Intrepid Foundation is the not-for-profit arm of Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, on a mission to create positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection. The registered charity does this by carefully selecting local partners who are creating positive solutions across a range of issues impacting the communities Intrepid travelers visit, from inequality and economic development to environmental restoration and wildlife protection. Since its inception in 2002, the Intrepid Foundation has disbursed over $14M USD for more than 160 partners around the world. Intrepid Travel absorbs all administration costs so that 100% of donations can go directly to community causes and each of its 900+ itineraries is aligned to a local or global partner. Read the 2024 Integrated Annual Report, follow the Intrepid Foundation on Facebook and Instagram and Intrepid Travel on LinkedIn for more information.