About SITE Foundation

What is SITE Foundation?

SITE Foundation drives the business case for incentive travel and motivational experiences by raising funds that support education & professional development, research & content and grants, scholarships, and other activities.

Its charitable activities power our industry’s future, with more than $10 million USD invested in our people and profession since 1987.

Mission & Vision

Our mission — raising funds to drive the business case for incentive travel & motivation experiences and supporting professional development within the industry.

Our vision — investing in the power & sustainable growth of incentive travel & motivational experiences.

Our strategic pillars — fundraising, investment, advocacy, research / content, partnerships / alliances.

Meet the Foundation Trustees

How we can help you

SITE Foundation supports education and professional development projects; research and content creation initiatives; grant and scholarship funds; and other ad hoc member-focused requests throughout the calendar year.

Current Foundation-backed initiatives include:

Academic scholarships — to support higher education studies (2025 applications are open April 1–May 13)
Global Conference scholarships — to attend SITE Global Conference (2025 applications are open July 22–September 2)
SITE Foundation Relief Fund — support for SITE members experiencing financial hardship (funding available throughout the year, until budgeted funds are exhausted)
Industry grants — support project(s) that advance and grow the incentive travel industry (applications for 2026 funding will be announced at a later date)
Chapter grants — available on an ad hoc basis to support SITE chapter activities. Email site@siteglobal.com to learn more.

How you can help us

You can donate securely online anytime as a member or friend of SITE. Thank you for supporting our Foundation and funding our future, together!

We also accept in-kind donations throughout the year for inclusion in upcoming SITE Foundation silent and live auctions. Please contact kbachler@siteglobal.com to learn more about making in-kind gifts.

SITE Chapters, on the other hand, can help SITE Foundation by raising funds at their events, or by donating from retained earnings.

Companies, organizations and agencies in our industry and, indeed, other Foundations, can make a corporate gift or provide matching funds to SITE Foundation, too.

If you have any questions about becoming a SITE Foundation supporter, please reach out to SITE Foundation Relations Associate Kellen Bachler (kbachler@siteglobal.com).

SITE Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the USso all gifts are tax-deductible in accordance with state and federal law (for US donors).

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Projects & Initiatives

SITE Foundation funds projects and initiatives that fall under three categories: education & professional development; research & content; and grants, scholarships & ad hoc financial contributions.

Education & Professional Development

Refresh and redesign of Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS), SITE’s entry-level certification for incentive travel professionals
Development of CITP certification for mid-management incentive travel professionals
Academic scholarships

Research & Content

Annual publication of the Incentive Travel Index (ITI) with our partners, the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) and Oxford Economics
Creation and distribution of “Motivate,” an online content repository for incentive travel professionals
Creation of the inSITEs series – Corporate inSITEs, Leadership inSITEs, Participant inSITEs

Grants, Scholarships & ad hoc Financial Contributions

Funding and running the SITE Global Conference Scholarship – more information here
Ongoing disbursement of financial grants to individuals, Chapters, or companies in the incentive industry – more information here
Funding and administration of the Moira Fund to assist SITE members with financial difficulties – more information here

NextGen Fund

The "NextGen" Fund, powered by past and present leaders of SITE, is an initiative launched by SITE Foundation to support and empower the next generation of professionals in the incentive travel industry.

Learn more & donate

Impact Report

Discover more stories that demonstrate the powerful, enduring impact of SITE Foundation on lives and livelihoods in our industry.

Stories cover the full range of supports SITE Foundation offers, including:

Professional development
Content & research
Grants, scholarships & financial support

Download the full report here

SITE Foundation’s Influence

See how SITE Foundation has impacted and empowered members and the incentive travel industry at large.

Here's what SITE members have to say...

Liz Akey, Moira Hearn Lifetime Achievement Winner & Moira Hearn Fund Recipient

I get emotional when I think of all that SITE Foundation has done for me, having been a member of SITE for 25 years and in the industry for over 30. From supporting my membership, to introducing a new passion for sustainability, to keeping me engaged and educated through the darkest times in my life, SITE Foundation has been a shining light that has brought me comfort, connection with a community of likeminded professionals, and a sense of belonging. We are stronger, together.

Hasan Dinc, Managing Director, ODS Turkey

Conducting a scientifically prepared study and analyzing its results is a costly exercise, and one that local NGOs and authorities often cannot undertake alone. SITE was able to publish a report on incentive travel specific to Türkiye using its robust global data set from the Incentive Travel Index (ITI). That report allowed us to address the government during the pandemic and helped us to stress the importance of incentive travel and the MICE industry to our destination. We’re very thankful to SITE Foundation for this global undertaking

Olga Walker, CITP, Managing Director of GoodCause Travel & Events DMC – UK & Ireland

The educational resources SITE Foundation supports have opened excellent opportunities for me and for my business. Some of the sustainability resources in particular for planning, operating and evaluating events were very helpful when I was working toward my company's sustainability certification.