The Intrepid Foundation Announces Latest Figures

    /24-7PressRelease/ - BOULDER, CO, August 27, 2008 - To compliment their Responsible Travel policies, Intrepid Travel has developed The Intrepid Foundation. The Intrepid Foundation is evidence of Intrepid's commitment to contribute back to the communities where it operates. Over the last 6 years the Intrepid Foundation has dispersed US$1,261,455 to more than 45 non-government organizations.

Although Intrepid Travel provides support for The Foundation, they are now separate entities, allowing The Foundation to grow independently. There are two parts to The Intrepid Foundation: The Intrepid Community Project Fund and The Intrepid Perpetual Support Fund account.

The Intrepid Community Project Fund is the first part of The Intrepid Foundation. Donations to this fund go to the grassroots work of non-government organizations based in Intrepid Travel's operating areas and identified as making a valuable contribution to the local community. These include many small organizations or projects that you may visit during your Intrepid trip. The Intrepid Community Project Fund is managed by The Intrepid Foundation Incorporated, established under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Victoria, Australia), to maximize funds raised and disbursed to suitable beneficiary organizations and projects. The Intrepid Foundation Incorporated has an elected Committee of Management which includes several individuals experienced in international aid and the not-for-profit sector and is independent from the management of Intrepid Travel. The Committee of Management meets quarterly and ensures all organizations and projects are assessed and monitored according to approved criteria. Our accounts are audited by an external, independent auditor.

The Intrepid Perpetual Support Fund account has been developed by The Intrepid Foundation Incorporated in conjunction with CAF Australia and CAF Community Fund, registered charities that aim to increase the flow of resources to charities and not-for-profit organizations. Funds are invested by CAF with Macquarie Private Portfolio Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of Macquarie Bank. Grant recipients or beneficiaries are approved by the CAF trustee and disbursed annually, having considered requests from the Intrepid Foundation Committee. All donations made to this account are equally divided each year: half is retained in the account to conserve and grow capital for the future and half into an annual grants pool provided to a number of well known and respected international non-government organizations. Both of these components are, of course, matched by Intrepid Travel dollar for dollar.*

Retaining 50 % of the donation, and hence growing the capital base of the account over time, allows projects in future years to be funded from the interest and other growth achieved. This means your donation will go much further than its original value. Donations made to the Intrepid Perpetual Support Fund account are made to CAF Community Fund a registered DGR public fund. Donations are tax deductible for Australian tax payers.

All donations made to The Intrepid Foundation will be matched by Intrepid Travel dollar for dollar, up to the value of AU$300,000 per year and for a maximum of AU$5,000 total per donor for the financial year.

For more information about The Intrepid Foundation please visit: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org

About Intrepid Travel

With over 19 years of experience, Intrepid Travel is one of the world's leading small group adventure tour operators. Intrepid offers over 450 itineraries in more than 90 destinations worldwide. Intrepid trips are designed to go off the beaten track, meet the locals and travel in an unconventional way, joining locals on their transport, in their markets and even in their homes.

For USA Media inquiries, please contact Ashley Montblanc at LDPR Communications, 212-696-0660. For media inquiries outside of the USA, please contact Eliza Anderson, Global PR Manager, [email protected]

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