ADOPT A PROJECT

The Adopt a Project program allows an ATCF member, or others in the travel and outdoor community, to select a specific project and fully fund it, ensuring no worthy initiative is left behind.

Each year, The ATCF dedicates all available funding to the top-voted conservation projects. However, many incredible initiatives remain unfunded due to limited resources. By adopting a project, you’re supporting conservation efforts that have undergone a rigorous vetting process. Each project up for adoption has already been nominated by an ATCF member and carefully reviewed by our staff, Board of Directors, and advisory teams for viability, success potential, and long-term impact. These projects also adhere to ATCF's guidelines throughout their timeline, ensuring they deliver meaningful results for international adventure travel destinations. There are several ways to fund a project.

  • A direct cash contribution is the fastest way to get initiatives underway.

  • Alternatively, you can engage your community—clients, customers, or partners—in fundraising, with ATCF providing marketing materials to support your efforts.

  • Some companies choose a matching contribution model, pledging to match the funds raised by their communities.

  • Others collaborate with partners in their value chain to address shared conservation goals, such as water conservation or wildlife protection.

If you’re interested in adopting a project, we’d love to hear from you. For a list of projects currently available for funding or to discuss your plans, contact Soraya Shattuck at soraya@atconservationfund.org. Together, we can ensure these vital conservation initiatives become a reality.

*Applications for the Adopt a Project Program are accepted on a rolling basis. Preference is given to organizations who are able to fund these projects at 100% of the funding request. If you are interested in partially funding a project, please contact Soraya Shattuck to discuss options.

2025 Projects
JAGUAR SWIMMING IN BRAZIL

WHY ADOPT A PROJECT THROUGH THE ATCF INSTEAD OF FUNDING IT DIRECTLY?

  • Every project available for adoption has already:

    • Been nominated by an ATCF member

    • Undergone staff review, board evaluation, and advisory vetting

    • Met ATCF’s criteria for biodiversity protection, climate resilience, community leadership, and long-term viability

    Members can trust they are investing in a project with demonstrated credibility, measurable goals, and strong community leadership - without spending time on due diligence themselves.

  • Funding through ATCF ensures:

    • Transparent progress updates

    • Monitoring and compliance with ATCF’s impact framework

    • Stories, metrics, and visuals you can share with your customers, staff, and partners

    ATCF carries the administrative burden so members can focus on storytelling, engagement, and impact- not project oversight.

  • When a project is adopted:

    • ATCF amplifies your commitment across our global network of travel brands, media partners, and conservation stakeholders

    • Your company receives visibility during major convenings like ATWS

    • Your adopted project becomes part of ATCF’s broader conservation narrative

    Your contribution gains more reach, credibility, and influence than one-off direct giving.

  • By adopting a project through ATCF, you’re not funding in isolation- you’re participating in a coordinated, industry-wide movement.

    Your investment reinforces a shared industry commitment to conservation, strengthening your position as a leader in responsible travel.

  • ATCF provides:

    • Custom fundraising and marketing materials

    • Messaging templates

    • Social media assets

    • Web copy and signage

    • Staff support for campaign design

    You get everything you need to meaningfully involve guests, customers, and partners - without building the materials yourself.

  • Some years, ATCF offers:

    • Matching contributions (e.g., through foundation partners like Aperio or UnTours)

    • Visibility that leads to additional funders joining your effort

    • Opportunities for co-branded campaigns with other ATCF members

    Your funding may go further when funneled through ATCF than it would on your own.

  • Projects funded through ATCF adhere to:

    • Standardized impact reporting

    • Recognized conservation indicators (biodiversity, carbon resilience, community benefit, etc.)

    • ATCF’s long-term evaluation and storytelling structure

    This gives your company defensible, authentic impact data- critical for ESG reporting and consumer trust.

  • Because ATCF works closely with destinations and local organizations:

    • Your company gains deeper insight into the communities you help support

    • You can integrate conservation impact stories into itineraries, marketing, or guest engagement

    • You become part of a respected, trusted funding partnership

    This ensures your conservation investments build long-term value for both your company and the destinations where you operate.

  • ATCF handles:

    • Grant agreements

    • Compliance

    • Disbursement

    • Reporting logistics

    • Monitoring

    You avoid the administrative complexity and risk of direct international grant-making.

  • Funding through ATCF signals:

    • Commitment to vetted, community-led conservation

    • Collaboration rather than one-off philanthropy

    • Participation in a coordinated global effort to protect travel’s most important places

    Your company becomes part of a growing collective of “Travelers for Conservation,” reinforcing your leadership and values.