Beyond Travel understands the genuine good will of volunteers to donate in-kind gifts or make a financial contribution to our community partners. Though giving in addition to the volunteer experience is encouraged, volunteers and participants must adhere to strict guidelines so that gifts do not compromise the mission and goals of Beyond Travel, Bt Partners, and partner communities.

In-Kind Gifts

In kind-gifts are welcomed, but come with limitations. Volunteers wishing to make in-kind gifts of supplies, materials, and or equipment must first consult BT to determine whether it is something that is needed and cannot readily be found locally. Read our blog article on supporting the local economy. Beyond Travel often gets requests from partner organizations for items that will enhance their work. Beyond Travel will inform volunteers of these items, if deemed relevant to the goals of the mission and assignment. Keep in mind that Beyond Travel, BT Partners, and partner organizations cannot afford to ship items to Haiti. Shipping items is extremely expensive, and can exceed the value of donated items. 

Furthermore, BT Partners strictly prohibits the in-kind donation of food and clothing as they contribute to the demise of the local economy. Strong efforts should be made to find items in-country, if possible.

Financial Contributions  

In order to continue to support promising community initiatives, programs, and organizations outside of the placement of volunteers, Beyond Travel works with Beyond Travel Partners. Beyond Travel Partners in a 501 (c)3  tax-deductible organization  with the mission of filling skills and knowledge gaps that keep communities mired in poverty. BT Partners believes in the efforts of local people and their right to self-determination. To that end,  BT Partners provides guidance support in four program areas  in order to make community efforts viable and sustainable.

Volunteers and their supporters can make financial contributions to Beyond Travel Partners. All donations are tax-deductible as per IRS restrictions. This means donors may receive a tax-write-off come tax-time. Please consult a tax professional or the IRS on claiming write offs for charitable donations.

Beyond Travel and BT Partners strictly prohibits the giving of financial gifts directly to partner organizations. Doing this will severely compromise our relationship with the community. It will also raise expectations of partner organizations to an unacceptable level, promote negative stereotypes of “the haves and have not’s” and ruin the experience for future volunteers.

Moreover, BT Partners works with grassroots organizations that may have the will and the vision, but may lack the internal controls to oversee and account for financial gifts. Making direct contributions to partners will compromise BT Partners own ability for oversight and accountability.

Volunteers can certainly designate their financial gift for a specific partner or community project.