How Jeremy Turned a Vacation into a Donation for the Boys & Girls Club

Giving Tuesday is almost here, and with so many essential programs facing cuts, every act of generosity matters. But here’s something most people don’t realize: you can raise money for an eligible 501(c)(3) simply by traveling with friends and family.

I discovered this four years ago on a river cruise with my friend Jeremy. The cruise line offered a charitable group program that allowed travelers to direct a contribution to a nonprofit. Jeremy, who had volunteered with a local Boys & Girls Club since college, was intrigued when I explained the possibilities.  I booked his first river cruise, and upon his return, he wondered:

Could a future vacation become part of his annual fundraising strategy?

A year later, Jeremy tested the idea by organizing a European river cruise. What began with four (4) guests quickly grew to twenty (20), thanks to meticulous planning and choosing a tour partner willing to contribute based on group size (we had 10 balcony staterooms).

He kept everyone aligned through a WhatsApp group and selected a sailing during a Black Friday promotion. I still remember that Friendsgiving weekend—the jokes, the excitement—and by Monday evening, every stateroom deposit was in. As the balcony stateroom count increased, so did the donation amount.

Jeremy also shared information about the Boys Club’s mission, reminding us that this was more than a vacation. It was community + connection + purpose = FUN.

The Surprise That Changed Everything

Then came the moment Jeremy least expected.

The tour partner sent a $5,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club —generated entirely from our group booking.

(Results may vary depending on # of staterooms and room categories.)

That single gift changed how I viewed travel and my impact as a travel agency owner. It was “giving in motion,” and it showed me how impactful a vacation can become when it’s built with intention.  YES, it was cool that my boutique travel agency, Conversational Traveler, played a role in a donation from a vacation Jeremy was already taking.  

Jeremy’s Smart Strategy (That You Can Use Too)

Jeremy didn’t overthink it. He followed a simple, thoughtful system that made this possible:

• Choose the right travel window, aligning with the cruise line’s charitable contribution period.
• Invited his inner circle early, giving everyone time to plan.
• Built commitment intentionally, using a group chat to align his guests before booking.
• Selected a high-value promotion, which maximized both guest benefits and nonprofit impact.
• Coordinated all deposits on the same day, locking in staterooms and the charitable contribution tied to the group size.

These steps turned one vacation into a powerful, repeatable fundraising model.

A Simple, Sustainable Way to Give Back

Many of us continued donating individually at the Boys Club’s annual gala. Still, this trip created an additional fundraising stream—no gala tables, no raffles, no auction items: just connection and shared interests.

Today, Jeremy—now a Boys & Girls Club board member—organizes two vacations a year using this model. It has become a fun, sustainable way to support an organization that helped shape his life while creating unforgettable travel experiences for his group. 

If you're a board member, committee lead, or volunteer looking for a high-impact, low-effort fundraising solution, let’s connect. Several travel partners offer programs that allow nonprofits to raise funds through group travel, and I can show you exactly how to bring this strategy to life for an organization you care about.

Michelle Green, ASTA Verified® Travel Advisor, is the founder of Conversational Traveler and a Board Member of the NYC Chapter of the American Society of Travel Advisors (NYC ASTA). She passionately believes that meaningful connections are the authentic souvenirs of every journey, inspiring her to curate milestone-worthy experiences that last a lifetime. Michelle’s blend of luxury travel expertise and heartfelt belief ensures every itinerary is intentional, elevated, and as uniquely personal as the travelers themselves.