Intrepid Foundation reaches new milestone

October 2025

Intrepid Travel’s non-profit reflects on 23 years of positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection. 

Intrepid Travel’s non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has reached a major milestone, disbursing over AU$20 million to impact partners across the globe over the last 23 years. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has supported 163 partners across 73 countries, funding projects that reflect its mission to create positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.  

The Foundation was established to offer travellers meaningful ways to give back to the communities they visit, supporting initiatives that protect the environment, safeguard wildlife, promote gender equality, improve healthcare and strengthen communities worldwide. Today, it supports 54 impact partners in more than 40 countries with donations from Intrepid travellers, team members, corporate partners and long-term supporters. 

The 20-million-dollar milestone was achieved after the success of the Foundation’s most recent fundraising event, the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk, which raised more than AUD $422,000 for the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. The Foundation is on track to exceed Intrepid Travel’s 2025 disbursement target of $3 million, with fundraising goals embedded in business strategy to grow its impact alongside the company. In both 2023 and 2024, the Intrepid Foundation disbursed AU$2.6m. 

General Manager of The Intrepid Foundation, Biheng Zhang, said: 

“This milestone is a testament to the generosity of our global travel community and Intrepid’s belief that travel can create positive impact. We’re proud to work closely with our partners to address important causes such as gender equality, conservation and community-building. 

“In a world with so much uncertainty, the need for philanthropic spirit and kindness only grows, and it’s inspiring to reflect on the way The Intrepid Foundation community has rallied together over the years to drive collective impact on a global scale.” 

Over the past 20 years, The Intrepid Foundation has launched major fundraising appeals to support communities impacted by natural disasters, including the 2015 Nepal Earthquake Appeal and 2024 Morocco Earthquake Appeal. It has also supported large fundraising campaigns such as the global Blue Dragon Walk which raises funds to support the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation to end human trafficking and Buffalo Bike Ride to fundraise for World Bicycle Relief providing purpose-built bicycles to people in isolated communities. 

Guided by insights from Intrepid’s local teams in 32 offices worldwide, The Intrepid Foundation partners with organisations that know their communities best and can deliver the greatest impact where it matters most. It follows an untied funding model, meaning partners are trusted to direct donations where they’re needed most. This ensures funds raised support community-led initiatives and deliver long-term impact. In 2023, The Intrepid Foundation introduced a grant program to further support its partners to scale their impact. This year, it will disburse more than AU$700,000 worth of grants to 16 grassroots projects around the world.  

Highlights from 20+ years of positive impact 

From backing UNICEF Australia’s ‘Give the World a Shot’ fundraiser in 2019 to raising more than AU$35,000 to support The Porters Collective through a virtual climbing challenge and setting up the Morocco Earthquake Appeal which raised over AU$500,000 for communities in the wake of the 2024 disaster, the Foundation’s impact has been felt across the globe. 

Answering Morocco's call for support 

In September 2024, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Morocco’s High Atlas Mountain region – the largest to strike the country in decades. More than 2,900 people died and over 5,000 were injured. The Intrepid Foundation community raised over $600,000 for the appeal, which supported impact partners Education For All and the High Atlas Foundation to provide 108 tonnes of emergency supplies, directly helping 3,872 families. 

Walking the walk for trafficking prevention  

The Intrepid Foundation has supported the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk since 2018, raising over AU$1.5 million for Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation. These funds have directly impacted more than 51,900 people and supported Blue Dragon’s frontline work rescuing children from human trafficking, providing shelter and education, and helping families in Vietnam break the cycle of poverty.  

Stepping up for porters worldwide   

Porters are the heart and soul of any trekking experience, but they often work for little pay in poor conditions. In 2019, The Intrepid Foundation disbursed AU$37,845 for The Porters Collective through a virtual climbing challenge. That support flowed to porters in Tanzania, Nepal and Peru, including Intrepid Foundation partners the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project and Awamaki – two organisations that remain partners to this day. 

Supporting access to COVID-19 vaccines  

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the Intrepid Foundation supported UNICEF Australia with an upfront $50,000 donation to its Give the World a Shot fundraiser. The Intrepid Foundation contributed $146,000 to fund the delivery of 28,233 COVID-19 vaccines to those in need. 

Learn about The Intrepid Foundation’s impact partners here.