Footprints has raised nearly $2.5 million from World Nomads travelers in the 20 years since inception
Photo © Image supplied by the Footprints Network
- Footprints has raised nearly $2.5 million from World Nomads travelers in the 20 years since inception, funding more than 270 community development projects worldwide
- Program showcases the collective power of travelers and their desire to give back to the places they visit
- The most recent project launched in January 2025 aids children in Ukraine and the next project to launch will help end forced marriages for girls in India
Los Angeles, CA – Jan. 29, 2024 - World Nomads, a leading name in travel insurance and global community impact, proudly marks the 20th anniversary of its groundbreaking Footprints program. Since its launch, nearly 1.4 million generous travelers have united to make micro-donations ranging from $1 to $10, collectively raising nearly $2.5 million USD. These funds have supported more than 270 community development projects in 47 countries, benefiting roughly 3 million people. The Footprints program highlights the collective power of travelers and their commitment to giving back to the communities they visit.
The program was launched in 2005 out of a desire to assist communities devasted by the tsunami that killed over a quarter of a million people in Asia. World Nomads co-founder Simon Monk, and his team, envisioned a platform where travelers could make small, impactful donations to causes aligned with their values. The response was extraordinary, and the program evolved into a lasting commitment to global betterment. By partnering with nonprofit organizations aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Footprints channels 100% of donations directly to projects that combat poverty, protect the planet, and help communities.
“The Footprints program has exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Christina Tunnah, General Manager of Marketing and Brands at World Nomads. “It began as a rapid response to a single tragedy in a place many of us at World Nomads have visited. It has bloomed into a testament to the collective goodwill of travelers, sharing a commitment to a more equitable and sustainable world. We’re thrilled to celebrate two decades of impact. We are looking to the next era of scaling our efforts to support more communities worldwide and create lasting change, one journey at a time.”
The Footprints program is currently supporting several active projects, including its latest initiative in partnership with Save the Children Ukraine, aimed at providing relief for children affected by the war in Ukraine. The next project will be focused on supporting The Hunger Project’s efforts as they work to build self-reliance and end forced marriages in India. In 2025, Footprints will also launch its first Canadian project in partnership with the Adventure Travel Conservation Fund.
Over the past 20 years, the Footprints program has supported countless projects ranging from disaster relief in Gaza and Ukraine to animal welfare, education, sustainable development and more. The past two decades have seen an expansion from projects primarily focused on poverty to a growing number of issues, like gender equality and climate resilience.
To learn more about World Nomads’ Footprints program, visit: www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/footprints. For information on the 20th anniversary, visit the new landing page: www.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/footprints/20th-anniversary
ABOUT WORLD NOMADS
Since 2002, World Nomads has been protecting, connecting and inspiring adventurous and independent travelers by offering specialized travel insurance and safety advice.
Our travel insurance products cover travelers from more than 100 countries. World Nomads focuses on what we believe is important to travelers: emergency medical and evacuation costs, baggage cover, trip cancellation, trip delay and trip interruption costs. We offer cover for more than 250 adventure sports and activities, plus tech and gear. We believe travelers have the responsibility to give back, and through our Footprints program, customers can add a small donation to the price of their plan to help fund a community development project with one of World Nomads’ global nonprofit and charity partners.
We are part of a suite of global specialist travel insurers owned by nib Group, Australia’s third-largest provider of travel insurance and a leading global distributor of travel insurance through nib Travel. nib Group also provides health and medical insurance to more than 1.6 million Australian and New Zealand residents and more than 200,000 international students and workers in Australia.
Editor’s Note: photos are available to download here: https://www.worldnomads.com/media-center. Photo credit: World Nomads.
Media Contacts:
World Nomads
Sarah Roman, Communications Manager
510-871-4332