Where your money goes
Here at The Great Projects, we are often asked ‘Why do I have to pay to volunteer’? In simple terms, the majority of your project fee goes overseas to cover the cost of your time spent volunteering, with the rest going towards a wide variety of other expenses which are outlined below. If volunteers did not pay for their places on the projects, then the projects themselves would simply be unable to run.
One of the main elements of the project fees are the built-in donations, and the projects rely on these to provide for the animals in their care. By not only offering your time, but by also providing a conservation donation by way of your fee, you’re ensuring that your efforts to help protect the world’s most threatened species will continue long after you’ve returned home. In short: your yearly holiday could leave a lasting impact, creating a legacy for the project and the animals you’ve chosen to help. Below is a simple guide that shows how your project fee is divided between important elements and how much has been contributed in donations over the years.
Accommodation, food, and all volunteer activities
Transfers to and from the airport for most projects
A conservation donation to help support the animals
Project development to ensure the best projects for all involved
Administration, insurance, staff and any additional office costsThe Breakdown
2024 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $211,038 |
| Asia | $144,996 |
| The Americas | $18,686 |
| Europe | $13,868 |
Total: $388,586
2023 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $222,780 |
| Asia | $188,180 |
| The Americas | $20,435 |
| Europe | $9,544 |
Total: $440,937
2022 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $142,201 |
| Asia | $82,209 |
| The Americas | $23,855 |
| Europe | $12,655 |
Total: $260,919
2021 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $31,601 |
| Asia | $3,211 |
| The Americas | $3,732 |
| Europe | $4,181 |
Total: $42,724
2020 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $42,926 |
| Asia | $35,939 |
| The Americas | $4,469 |
| Europe | $0 |
Total: $83,333
2019 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $163,703 |
| Asia | $201,803 |
| The Americas | $21,452 |
| Europe | $17,208 |
Total: $404,163
2018 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $122,701 |
| Asia | $189,207 |
| The Americas | $30,737 |
| Europe | $13,010 |
Total: $355,655
2017 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $140,363 |
| Asia | $237,899 |
| The Americas | $20,201 |
| Europe | $14,298 |
Total: $412,759
2016 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $110,142 |
| Asia | $183,320 |
| The Americas | $15,122 |
| Europe | $12,820 |
Total: $321,404
2015 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $81,900 |
| Asia | $218,000 |
| S America | $14,841 |
| Europe | $9,854 |
Total: $324,594
2014 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $112,487 |
| Asia | $196,201 |
| S America | $26,558 |
Total: $335,246
2013 Project & Tour Donations By Continent
| Africa | $55,967 |
| Asia | $123,517 |
Total: $179,484
