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WHAT WE DO
Our inspiring journeys employ a framework of effective philanthropy, asking: what change do we
on their values and refine their own strategies for achieving meaningful impact.
Here are the hallmarks of our approach:
on their values and refine their own strategies for achieving meaningful impact.
Here are the hallmarks of our approach:
- Inspiring organizations. Exciting visits with vetted not-for-profit and for-profit social
enterprises referred by a vast network of grant-making organizations including individual
philanthropists, private foundations, impact investors and organizations awarding social
entrepreneurship fellowships.
- Anonymity. People want the opportunity to learn about and deeply consider an issue and
organizations that have potential solutions in a private setting with room to compare and
contrast and without the pressure of committing to a donation immediately. Unlike
participating in a donor trip that is hosted by one non-profit organization where
participants are more actively cultivated as donors, Indaba enables people to learn about
issues and visit a variety of organizations with anonymity, giving them the chance to think
about what really resonates with them. We connect people to organizations with whom
they wish to form a relationship.
- Personal attention. Individual consultation with clients before, during and after their
journey, to understand their goals and translate new knowledge and inspiration into
action upon their return.
- Leadership. Each journey is guided by our Founder or experienced Philanthropic
Consultant, who bring many years of experience in philanthropy, advising and travel to
the table to enrich our clients’ experiences. Occasionally, we have specialists co-lead
our journeys.
- Engaged learning. Focused pre-trip curriculum on philanthropy and issue areas to be
explored during the trip. Discussions in the field facilitated by experienced philanthropic
advisors and local experts.
- Unique next generation philanthropy journeys. Helping young adults gain deeper
understanding of social and environmental issues while building skills and inspiration
to take action as advocates and philanthropists.
- Community. We host a private online network for every trip which includes travel
information and issue content as well as engages participants to interact with each other
before and after the journey.
- Travel arrangements. Expert management of travel details, working with the most
qualified and skilled travel partners in each destination, including support for safety and
health on all journeys with our preferred providers.
- Depth of Pre-trip Planning. We conduct exploratory visits to develop each trip itinerary,
which includes initial vetting of organizations, curating site visits, identifying local thought-
leaders, assessing any security concerns and creating unique mini-adventures to bring
country and culture alive in a new way.
WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT
MARYANN FERNANDEZ
Founder & President
Philanthropy Indaba
Founder & President
Philanthropy Indaba
| JACKIE VANDERBRUG Catalyst Gender Lens Investing |
GUNTHER WEIL, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & CEO
Value Mentors
Co-Founder & CEO
Value Mentors
LESLIE OVERTON
General Manager
Absolute Travel
General Manager
Absolute Travel
| Dr. Christopher Sidford Founder & Medical Director Black Bag |
| IRIS WAGNER Owner & Executive Producer Memoirs Productions |
Trip Co-Leaders
Philanthropy Indaba uses travel to facilitate meaningful interactions between dynamic social
enterprises around the world and people with the capacity to support their solutions. Through
the experience, our clients become inspired, develop lasting partnerships and find new ways to
make change.
We want to build a community of like-minded individuals who are learning and exploring
meaningful ways to serve the world and each other.
The leisure portion of the trip is equally important: aside from key attractions, we look for
interesting food and culture options, and selectively choose our hotels. Where appropriate, we
also offer outdoor physical activities. Leisure activities and downtime are carefully integrated
into the itinerary to ensure a good balance.
GROUP TRIPS
Group trips are often thematic and focus on just one country or area on a set departure. On our
group trips, we visit a variety of organizations - both for-profit and non-profit - that showcase
different approaches to a particular issue. Throughout the journey, we host facilitated
discussions to debrief experiences as well as to deepen our thinking.
We vary the intensity and number of site visits as well as the topics on our group trips. Look for
the following information on philanthropic focus in the trip description:
PHILANTHROPIC CONTENT
Light: 1/3 or less of the trip dedicated to philanthropy
Moderate: around 1/2 of the trip dedicated to philanthropy
Advanced: more than half of the trip dedicated to philanthropy
MAIN ISSUES: examples include health, environment, sustainable agriculture, human rights,
indigenous rights, poverty alleviation, social entrepreneurism, impact investing.
CUSTOM JOURNEYS
For families and groups of all kinds, we offer the opportunity to create a private departure for one
of the itineraries already developed or to fully customize a new itinerary with respect to country,
amount of philanthropic content, and leisure activities.
Service & Internship Opportunities: For those who would like a more hands on approach, we
can develop a custom service or internship opportunity which matches your interests and skills
with an organization for a unique "in-the-field" experience. These opportunities require a
minimum one month commitment and are matched with a donation to the organization.
enterprises around the world and people with the capacity to support their solutions. Through
the experience, our clients become inspired, develop lasting partnerships and find new ways to
make change.
We want to build a community of like-minded individuals who are learning and exploring
meaningful ways to serve the world and each other.
The leisure portion of the trip is equally important: aside from key attractions, we look for
interesting food and culture options, and selectively choose our hotels. Where appropriate, we
also offer outdoor physical activities. Leisure activities and downtime are carefully integrated
into the itinerary to ensure a good balance.
GROUP TRIPS
Group trips are often thematic and focus on just one country or area on a set departure. On our
group trips, we visit a variety of organizations - both for-profit and non-profit - that showcase
different approaches to a particular issue. Throughout the journey, we host facilitated
discussions to debrief experiences as well as to deepen our thinking.
We vary the intensity and number of site visits as well as the topics on our group trips. Look for
the following information on philanthropic focus in the trip description:
PHILANTHROPIC CONTENT
Light: 1/3 or less of the trip dedicated to philanthropy
Moderate: around 1/2 of the trip dedicated to philanthropy
Advanced: more than half of the trip dedicated to philanthropy
MAIN ISSUES: examples include health, environment, sustainable agriculture, human rights,
indigenous rights, poverty alleviation, social entrepreneurism, impact investing.
CUSTOM JOURNEYS
For families and groups of all kinds, we offer the opportunity to create a private departure for one
of the itineraries already developed or to fully customize a new itinerary with respect to country,
amount of philanthropic content, and leisure activities.
Service & Internship Opportunities: For those who would like a more hands on approach, we
can develop a custom service or internship opportunity which matches your interests and skills
with an organization for a unique "in-the-field" experience. These opportunities require a
minimum one month commitment and are matched with a donation to the organization.
More co-leaders will be added a journeys are
announced! Stay tuned for more information.
announced! Stay tuned for more information.