Today, as much of the world celebrates Earth Day, we here in Media, PA, are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the UnTours Foundation. Hooray!
As you may know, the UnTours Foundation was founded by Hal & Norma Taussig, with the goal of creating “change, not charity.” They took the after-tax profits of UnTours and funneled them to the Foundation. Not only was this business practice revolutionary (much like the idea of UnTours was – and still is today!), but so was the Foundation itself.
Unlike many other foundations out there, the UnTours Foundation focuses heavily on awarding low-interest loans, instead of grants, to its applicants. We award loans to organizations and businesses around the world that create work, housing and Fair Trade where they are needed most, by developing projects that are pioneering, innovative, replicable and green. Companies like Wash Cycle Laundry, Divine Chocolate, SERRV and SosteNica are perfect examples of the types of organizations the Foundation strives to support.
To our Untourists: we appreciate all your support of the UnTours Foundation these past 20 years – we couldn’t have done it without you!
And, to those future Untourists waiting in the wings out there, we can’t wait to meet you! Until that time comes, though, here are a few facts about the Foundation that you may not have known:
- In the past 20 years, over 1,000 Untourists (people just like you!) have given to the UnTours Foundation
- The Foundation has given out 269 loans around the world – from Philadelphia to Vietnam and South Dakota to Brazil
- Since its humble beginnings 20 years ago, the UnTours Foundation has given more than $7,000,000 in loans and grants to organizations fighting poverty around the world
- Untourists have given over $500,000 to our cause in amounts raning anywhere from $10 to $83,000
Now, go enjoy this beautiful Earth Day!
PS It’s not too late to share your gift idea with us! We’ll be posting all of the “gifts” we receive at the end of the month!