Quintess Sponsors Passports With Purpose

By: Destination Club News
Date: December 30, 2010

'Tis the season. Luxury destination club Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World has long made their philanthropic efforts a cornerstone to their business, supporting various charity efforts and green initiatives. "There are numerous charities doing undeniable good, but it's rare to find one that makes a concrete difference in the lives of underprivileged people, thanks to an overwhelming amount of support," wrote Quintess about their latest charity partner: Passports with Purpose.

An annual Travel Bloggers' fundraiser, Passports with Purpose sought to raise $50,000 to fund the construction of a village in rural India, building homes for 25 different families. "When Quintess sent over the sponsorship check to LAFTI (Land For Tillers' Freedom), we were informed that we had pushed the donation amount above the goal mark," Quintess continued. In all, Passports with Purpose brought in over $58,000 for the fundraiser.

Founded in 2008 by Debbie Dubrow, Beth Whitman, Michelle Duffy, and Pam Mandel, Passports with Purpose was conceived as a way for travel bloggers to give back to places where they travel. In their first year, $7,400 was raised for Heifer International, a group dedicated to ending hunger and poverty. In 2009, the organization sought to raise $14,000 to build a school in Cambodia. When all was tallied, nearly $30,000 was given, allowing for additional improvements to the school such as a well that provides safe, clean water for students.

This philanthropic wave has swept through the destination club industry of late. Equity Estates, one of the fastest growing clubs in the sector, donated a trip to Anguilla with proceeds benefitting the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation. The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club and Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas partnered with the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services to donate backpacks and other school essentials to foster children.

As shown by Equity Estates and many others throughout the destination club landscape, the intentional underutilization of properties can be a great way for a club to assist charities without compromising the club's financial security. Quintess itself just donated a three night stay in Los Cabos, New York, London, Tuscany, or Amelia Island, raising $6,500 for the youth organization DoSomething. With the majority of every membership deposit obligated to be repaid to members and annual dues used to cover the operating costs of the club, this type of donation is a popular way for a club to remain active in the charity world.

Congratulations to our friends at Quintess for their continued philanthropic efforts and for the work of Passports with Purpose.