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International:
North America:
$15,886,492 RAISED SINCE 2001
If you’re seeking an experience that will not only challenge you, but also impact the lives of others, climbing Kilimanjaro for charity is the ultimate experience. With Tusker, you can plan your own Charity climb.
It’s not just about the personal accomplishment. The challenge you take on will provide a ripple effect of goodness that extends beyond your own achievement. You’ll be making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. The impact you’ll create will be felt long after you’ve descended the mountain. So, strap on your boots, embrace the unknown, and climb for good! The journey will be challenging, but the reward immeasurable.
~ Anne Frank
Why A Tusker Charity Climb?
It’s not just about reaching the summit. It’s about using your strength and tenacity to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Every step you take upward is a step towards a better world. In 2001, we had the privilege of leading the first Make-a-Wish Foundation climb which raised an impressive $100,000. Since then many hundreds of climbers have banded together for 79 different foundations, both large and small, to raise an awe-inspiring $15 million on Tusker Charity climbs.
There’s no feeling quite like standing at the peak of a mountain, the wind whipping across your face, and knowing that your hard work and determination have made a tangible impact on the world.
Here are a few well-known charities that have climbed with Tusker:
Planning a charity climb is no small feat, but the reward is immeasurable. The more people you can rally to your cause, the more money you’ll be able to raise for those in need. That’s why we highly recommend organizing a large group, with each member reaching out to their own communities to generate support.
Just a few years back, we led a group of 37 passionate individuals on a fundraising climb, and together they raised a staggering $850,000! It just goes to show that with a strong commitment to the cause and a broad outreach in your community, anything is possible.
But before you start, it’s important to answer a few key questions. We’re here to help you every step of the way. With decades of experience on Kilimanjaro leading fundraising climbs, we can guide you through the planning process to ensure that your climb is a roaring success. Let’s start planning, and make a difference in the world that will be felt for years to come.
The key to making a significant impact with your fundraising climb is to choose a cause that you feel deeply connected to. It could be a foundation that supports research for a disease that has affected a loved one, or a cause that aids sick children. You must ask yourself – what charities tug at your heartstrings? Because when your passion aligns with your purpose, you’ll be able to make the most significant impact possible.
But it’s not just about choosing any foundation – it’s important to pick a reputable organization that prioritizes allocating a high percentage of funds towards the actual cause, rather than towards administrative expenses. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of online non-profit monitoring sites that can assist you in researching the performance ratings and effectiveness of many different foundations.
So, choose a cause that truly resonates with you and work together to make a difference. With proper research and a heart full of passion, you can ensure that every dollar raised goes towards making a tangible impact in the lives of those in need.
Selecting A Climb Date
The choice of a date for the climb is important. It determines the number of climbers you can attract and the amount time you have for fundraising before the climb. That is why we suggest planning the charity climb a year in advance. This gives you ample time to educate your fundraising team and find sponsors and donors.
It’s absolutely crucial to remember that the funds raised must go directly to the charity of your choosing and should not be used to cover the costs of the climb itself. This is a non-negotiable point, and we urge you to keep it at the forefront of your planning efforts. If you find yourself unsure about the optimal dates and routes for your climb, don’t hesitate to contact us. With years of experience on Kilimanjaro and leading successful fundraising climbs, we’re here to guide you through every step of the planning process.
Let’s talk about the next steps once you’ve selected your charity to support. First up, you need to get in touch with Tusker Trail and figure out the best date for your climb.
Next, it’s time to start hunting for sponsors. Donations and gear are what you’re after here. Keep in mind, the more sponsors you can secure, the more money you can raise for your chosen charity. There are two types of sponsors you’ll be targeting: businesses and personal. Businesses love publicity, so make sure you approach them with that in mind. As for personal sponsors, these are the folks you know – friends, family, acquaintances – who are willing to help support your fundraising efforts.
So, get out there and start hustling! With a little bit of strategy and hard work, you’ll be on your way to raising the necessary funds and gear to make your climb a success.
Start With Friends, Family & Businesses
OK, it’s time to start spreading the word and assembling your team. You’ve got a climb to conquer, and you’re going to need all the support you can get. Now, when it comes to fundraising, there are plenty of options available to you. One option is to keep it simple and throw a small event, with a donation as the price of admission. Another option is to reach out to local businesses and see if they’re willing to donate a product or service, which you can then raffle off to raise funds.
Regardless of the fundraising method you choose, it’s important to remember that all funds raised must go directly to the charity you’re supporting, and not towards covering the expenses of the climb.
Use Crowdfunding Websites
Alright, let’s dive into the world of charity fundraising for climbers. There are a handful of online companies out there that provide a platform for climbers to build a page for their cause and collect donations directly through their website. It’s a great service, but keep in mind that it does come at a cost. The fees charged by these companies are relatively small, but it’s important to research and compare them before making a decision. After all, the higher the fee, the less you have to put towards your chosen charity.
At the end of the day, it’s all about weighing the pros and cons and deciding if the convenience and efficiency of using one of these online platforms is worth the cost. So, do your research, compare fees, and make the choice that’s right for you and your fundraising efforts.
Here are a few of the more well-known crowdfunding sites:
Which Route To Climb?
Well, to be honest, any one of our routes can make for an awesome charity climb. It’s totally up to you to decide which one you want to tackle. Just keep in mind that the longer the route, the easier it is to acclimatize, increasing the number of people that make it to the summit.
Since all charity climbs are “Private Climbs,” you have the freedom to choose the date and route that works best for you and your team.
So, whether you want to take on the Lemosho route, the Machame route, or Tusker Spiral route, the choice is yours. It’s all about finding the climb that resonates with you and your cause, and making it a success.
Climb For Valor
Eddie Frank, Tusker’s founding guideworked with the US Special Forces, training them at high altitude. In the process, he developed close ties with the elite community.
This prompted Eddie to create Tusker’s own charity climb, the “Kilimanjaro Climb for Valor.” Eddie brought wounded vets to the summit of Kilimanjaro to raise money in support of the families of fallen soldiers, through the Duskin and Stephens Foundation.
Make-a-wish Foundation
The mission of Make-A-Wish® – “Our goal is to ensure that all Make-A-Wish® experiences create lifelong memories for the wish child. We believe that each wish experience should be as unique and special as the child who wished for it.”
The MAKE-A-WISH-FOUNDATION ran their first charity climb with Tusker Trail back in 2001. The group raised $100,000 on the climb. The foundation has run a total of 8 charity climbs with Tusker, raising over a million dollars for the cause.
Code
CODE’s mission is to enable student learning by increasing their access to qualified educators and locally relevant, high quality learning materials.
CODE has climbed Kilimanjaro with Tusker multiple times to date, w raising over $3 million dollars. 94% of donations raised are directed to promote children’s literacy.
Care
Since 1945, CARE has worked around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. In the poorest communities across 90 countries, CARE centers on women and girls, because they know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities.
They have summitted Kilimanjaro 10 times with Tusker, raising almost a million dollars.
Africa New Life
AFRICA NEW LIFE climbs regularly with Tusker Trail. Africa New Life’s Food and Care Program teams raise vital funds on their Kilimanjaro climbs that support Africa New Life’s students and communities with nutritious meals and food provisions.
Over 4 climbs they have raised a total of $750,798. This total helped build a hospital in Rwanda, provide over 386,000 meals to students in Rwanda, and helped students get scholarships.
Upkili For Breast Cancer
Tusker owner/guide, Amy Frank created the UPKILI CLIMB FOR BREAST CANCER, to benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. It is now a part of the CANADIAN CANCER SOCIETY, a national, community-based organization whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.
Amy Frank’s own UPKILI climbs have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the cause, and she has led many cancer survivors to the summit.
Charles Bruneau Foundation
CHARLES BRUNEAU FOUNDATION – has a mission to cure the 20% of children whose cancer is resistant to treatment, and offer children in remission a true cure, free of side-effects and complications. The foundation finances leading-edge research in pediatric hematology and oncology.
This life changing foundation has climbed Kilimanjaro 3 times with Tusker Trail and has raised $2,188,000 on the climbs.
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
CIBC WOOD GUNDY is a Canadian investment firm. Over the years they have dedicated time and effort fundraising for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, now a part of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Their first Tusker Trail climb was in 2005, the Wood Gundy group has climbed Kilimanjaro 3 times with Tusker and has raised a total of $1,060,000 for breast cancer research.
