The Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) has unveiled a new funding initiative called Make Change that will allow everyday Barbadians and visitors to contribute to national development projects through small, voluntary donations when making purchases at participating businesses.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary in Christ Church yesterday, TDC executive officer Jacqueline Gill said it was based “on a simple but powerful idea” where small contributions from many people could “achieve lasting, meaningful results”.
“It is not just a fundraiser, it is a movement. It is a way for everyday Barbadians, the third sector, and even visitors to the island, to play an active role in shaping the future of Barbados,” she said.
The system operates through a “round-up” mechanism. When customers make purchases at specific supermarkets and stores, they will be asked if they wish to round up their bill to the nearest dollar, with the difference going directly to the Make Change fund.
“For example, if your bill comes to $17.60, you can choose to roll up to $18, and that $0.40 will go directly into the Make Change fund,” Gill explained. “It may seem small, but with the participation of many people, it adds up and creates the kind of national impact that benefits us all.”
TDC chairman Mark Thompson said this new funding model addresses a critical need for the organisation, which has been operating for nearly four decades.
“While the need for our work is growing, the resources available to us are shrinking. This moment demands more than just increased funding,” he said.
Gill stressed that Make Change will not replace the TDC’s current funding mechanisms but supplement them.
The initiative will support projects in key areas, including public safety, health and wellness, heritage preservation, cultural tourism and environmental protection, aiming to make Barbados a safer, healthier and more vibrant place.
The TDC selected Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary as the inaugural project to benefit from Make Change funding, highlighting the site’s significance as home to “the last remaining mangrove meadow” in Barbados.
Anthony Da Silva, protector of the Barbados Wetlands Trust, said Make Change will help Graeme Hall pursue several new initiatives. While declining to provide specifics, he said that between now and the winter season, more attractions will be coming to the nature sanctuary and there will be a rollout of a membership programme. The hard launch for the Make Change initiative is scheduled for next month, with the TDC expecting to begin accepting round-up donations at participating businesses shortly thereafter.
(DDS)
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