IGTOA Reaches Charles Darwin Center Fundraising Goal of $75K

IGTOA is proud to announce that the goal of raising $75K to prevent the closure of the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) due to budgetary shortfalls was reached by the January 31, 2015 deadline. 

Learn more about the CDF budget shortfalls in this interview with Swen Lorenz, the Executive Director at the CDF  

When the CDF announced that it needed to raise $1M, in order to continue operations, IGTOA joined the greater effort by introducing the emergency, “Trip your Impact fundraising” campaign. The fundraising push found success by implementing a three-pronged approach to the donation process. IGTOA, with the help of an anonymous donor, each agreed to donate one dollar to every dollar given by individuals and member companies, up to $25,000. This enabled the donor base to triple their impact, which ultimately resulted in the donation goal being met.

In total, donations of $25,573 were given by generous individuals and IGTOA’s member companies. This sum, when coupled with the combined match of $50,000 from IGTOA and the campaigns anonymous donor, paved the way for the IGTOA campaign to make an impact in the wider effort. 

“Our joint fundraising campaign is a new high point of our collaboration with IGTOA. It also shows the potential for involving tour operators and their guests in supporting vital work in the Galapagos Islands. The funds provided by IGTOA members and their guests are making a significant difference in achieving our overall fundraising goal.” 

-Swen Lorenz, Executive Director of the Foundation, says,

“It is great to know that so many people around the world support and value the critically important work of the CDF,” said Matt Kareus, IGTOA's Executive Director. He continued by adding that,  “Our member companies are deeply committed to the idea that our industry and has a moral obligation to support science and conservation in the Galapagos Islands. So it was an honor for us to be able to support the CDF during this critical time.”

To that point, IGTOA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to making this significant difference possible. The campaign’s success would not have been possible without the support, involvement and generosity from individuals and member companies.