The Intrepid Foundation, the charitable arm of Intrepid Travel, has officially become a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States, giving travel advisors new ways to create purpose-driven itineraries while offering U.S. travelers a tax-deductible way to give back. The move also expands opportunities for client engagement, fundraising and industry partnerships.
The designation allows donations to be tax deductible for U.S. donors and strengthens the foundation’s platform for travel advisors, travelers and industry partners to engage in charitable giving directly tied to the destinations they sell and visit.
“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.”
According to the company, the new status signals long-term commitment, transparency and trust.
In addition, the foundation will focus on raising funds from travelers, travel advisors and corporate partners, as well as working with vetted non-governmental organizations to deliver measurable impact in the places travelers visit. In the U.S., this includes support for the protection of national parks such as the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and the Grand Canyon Conservancy.
In total, the foundation raised more than $137,000 in 2025 for these causes.
According to Barnes, Intrepid wants to scale its impact as it expands in the U.S.
“When purpose is built into the business model, everyone benefits,” he said. “Advisors, travelers, communities and the industry as a whole.”
