SITE Foundation

What is SITE Foundation?

SITE Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation dedicated to advancing the incentive travel industry.

Established in 1987, SITE Foundation raises funds to drive the business case for incentive travel and motivational experiences while supporting professional development across the industry. Since its formation, the Foundation has invested more than $10 million USD in people, research, education and initiatives that strengthen the incentive travel profession.

What does SITE Foundation support?

SITE Foundation invests in initiatives across three key areas:

• Education & professional development — supporting programmes and resources that build knowledge and professional capabilities across the incentive travel industry
• Research & content — funding research that demonstrates the value, impact and evolution of incentive travel
• Grants, scholarships & financial support — providing funding to individuals, SITE chapters and industry initiatives

Together, these investments help build the business case for incentive travel while supporting the people and communities that make up the industry.

What research does SITE Foundation support?

SITE Foundation funds research and content designed to strengthen understanding of incentive travel and demonstrate its value as a business tool.

Foundation-supported research includes the annual Incentive Travel Index, produced in partnership with the Incentive Research Foundation and Oxford Economics, as well as SITE’s Corporate inSITEs, Leadership inSITEs and Participant inSITEs research.

These resources provide insights that incentive travel professionals can use to understand industry trends, demonstrate business impact and advocate for incentive travel within their organisations and markets.

Does SITE Foundation support professional development?

Yes. Supporting professional development is central to SITE Foundation’s mission.

Foundation funding has contributed to the development and evolution of SITE’s professional certification programmes, including the Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS) and Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP), alongside scholarships and other initiatives designed to expand access to education and career development.

What scholarships does SITE Foundation offer?

SITE Foundation offers scholarships designed to support education and professional development within the incentive travel community.

These include the SITE Foundation Academic Scholarship, which supports higher education studies, and the SITE Global Conference Scholarship, which helps individuals who would not otherwise have the financial means to attend SITE’s flagship annual conference.

Scholarship availability, the number of awards and application periods may vary from year to year.

What is the SITE Foundation Academic Scholarship?

The SITE Foundation Academic Scholarship provides financial support for higher education studies that can help positively shape the future of the incentive travel industry and its professional community.

For the 2026–27 academic year, SITE Foundation is awarding four scholarships of $5,000 USD, or the currency equivalent, to eligible applicants enrolled or accepted into a recognised university or higher education institution.

Applications are assessed anonymously by a volunteer SITE Foundation committee based on factors including the strength of the applicant’s essay, proof of eligibility, academic achievements and educational goals.

Who is eligible for the SITE Foundation Academic Scholarship?

The SITE Foundation Academic Scholarship is open to current and future higher education students who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. You do not need to be a SITE member, and your course of study does not need to be specifically focused on incentive travel or hospitality.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be working toward, or already hold, an undergraduate degree or high school/secondary school diploma
• Have current or pending enrolment in a recognised university or higher education institution

The scholarship may support studies already underway or an eligible programme beginning during the relevant academic year.

What is the SITE Global Conference Scholarship?

The SITE Global Conference Scholarship was established in memory of SITE Past President David Riddell to give deserving individuals an opportunity to participate in SITE educational programmes and experience the SITE Global Conference.

Scholarships support attendance costs up to a set amount and can include conference registration, an airfare stipend, accommodation and transfers.

Recipients are selected by the SITE Foundation Board of Trustees following an application and essay process.

Who is eligible for the SITE Global Conference Scholarship?

The SITE Global Conference Scholarship is intended for individuals who would benefit professionally from attending the SITE Global Conference but would not otherwise have the financial means to participate.

Applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Can be a student or someone currently employed in incentive travel, motivational experiences or a related field
• Do not need to be a SITE member
• Must demonstrate financial need

Senior executives or individuals who can reasonably afford to attend the Global Conference are not considered for the scholarship. Applications are reviewed by SITE Foundation, with scholarships awarded to qualified candidates who demonstrate both eligibility and need.

What are SITE Foundation Industry Grants?

SITE Foundation Industry Grants provide funding for projects that advance and grow the incentive travel industry.

Each year, the Foundation allocates funds for one or more projects, with funding either awarded to a single project or distributed across multiple successful applications based on the individual merit of the proposals received.

Eligible projects and available funding may vary each year, with applications evaluated by a SITE Foundation assessment committee.

Does SITE Foundation provide grants to SITE chapters?

Yes. SITE Foundation provides grants to help SITE chapters deliver projects and initiatives at a local level.

Chapter grants can support activities including educational workshops, community outreach programmes, membership campaigns and chapter events.

For 2026, SITE Foundation has made ten grants of up to $5,000 USD each available to chapters, on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual allocation is exhausted.

What is the SITE Foundation Relief Fund?

The SITE Foundation Relief Fund provides financial assistance to SITE members experiencing financial difficulties.

The fund is designed to help members maintain their connection to SITE and their professional development during challenging circumstances. Grants may be used to support SITE membership dues, professional development or participation in events.

Applications are confidential and evaluated anonymously by a committee of SITE leaders.

Who is eligible for the SITE Foundation Relief Fund?

The SITE Foundation Relief Fund is available to SITE members experiencing financial difficulties.

Applicants can request assistance where their circumstances may otherwise prevent them from maintaining their SITE membership, accessing professional development or participating in SITE events.

Applications are handled confidentially, and the applicant’s name is not revealed to the committee evaluating the request.

What is the SITE Foundation NextGen Fund?

The NextGen Fund is a SITE Foundation initiative created to support and empower the next generation of incentive travel professionals.

Powered by past and present SITE leaders, the fund supports emerging professionals through opportunities including SITE membership, event participation, scholarships, education and professional development.

Contributions to the NextGen Fund help provide emerging professionals with the tools, connections and opportunities they need to build careers in incentive travel.

What is SITE Classic and how does it support SITE Foundation?

SITE Classic is SITE Foundation’s flagship annual fundraising event, bringing together qualified incentive travel buyers and supplier partners for networking, education and destination experiences.

A central part of SITE Classic is its annual live and silent auction, which raises funds to support SITE Foundation’s investment in research, professional development, scholarships, grants and other industry initiatives.

How can I support SITE Foundation?

There are several ways individuals and organisations can support SITE Foundation.

You can make a financial donation directly to the Foundation, contribute an in-kind prize or experience for a SITE Foundation auction, participate in Foundation fundraising initiatives, or provide a corporate gift or matching funds.

SITE chapters can also support the Foundation through local fundraising activities or by donating from retained earnings.

Can I donate an auction item to SITE Foundation?

Yes. SITE Foundation accepts in-kind donations throughout the year for inclusion in upcoming silent and live auctions.

Travel experiences, accommodation, destination packages and other relevant contributions can help SITE Foundation raise funds to support its work across research, education, professional development, scholarships and grants.

Are donations to SITE Foundation tax-deductible?

SITE Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation in the United States.

For US donors, gifts to SITE Foundation are tax-deductible in accordance with applicable state and federal law. Donors outside the United States should consult the relevant tax guidance in their own jurisdiction.

Do I need to be a SITE member to support SITE Foundation?

No. SITE Foundation welcomes support from both SITE members and friends of SITE, as well as companies, organisations and industry partners that want to contribute to the sustainable growth of the incentive travel industry.

Where does the money raised by SITE Foundation go?

Funds raised by SITE Foundation are reinvested in programmes and initiatives that support the incentive travel industry and its professional community.

This includes research and content, education and professional development, academic and Global Conference scholarships, industry and chapter grants, financial assistance and initiatives supporting the next generation of incentive travel professionals.

Since 1987, SITE Foundation has invested more than $10 million USD in the industry.