DENVER, May 31, 2012 - Harlem RBI, a New York-based nonprofit that uses the power of teams to coach, teach and inspire youth, has teamed up with Inspirato, the Denver-based destination club for a new generation of luxury consumers. Inspirato's new online Inspired Giving platform, www.inspiredgiving.com, will provide new fundraising opportunities to support Harlem RBI's extensive programs serving inner-city youth from age five to 22.
Inspirato's Inspired Giving was designed to help charitable organizations like Harlem RBI raise funds in a new way. Through this partnership, donors who contribute $2,000 to Harlem RBI through the Inspired Giving website gain access to Inspirato's club-managed portfolio of vacation residences and unparalleled personal vacation services in locations ranging from California and Colorado to Hawaii and Mexico.
"This is a really exciting partnership between two fantastic organizations," said Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who is both a Harlem RBI board member and an Inspirato member and investor. "Harlem RBI is truly making a difference in kids' lives, and Inspirato makes it easy to support them by taking a vacation and spending quality time with family and friends."
The Inspired Giving donation model benefits Harlem RBI in a number of ways:
• For every $2,000 donated to Harlem RBI through Inspirato's Inspired Giving website, the donor gains one-time access to an Inspirato luxury vacation - priced at up to 50 percent under market value, and without having to pay the $15,000 Inspirato membership fee.
• Inspirato contributes one Inspired Giving vacation experience that Harlem RBI can auction to raise funds. Of those contributed monies, 100 percent goes back to Harlem RBI.
• For every new Inspirato membership that is generated from a Harlem RBI donor through Inspired Giving, the company gives $2,000 to Harlem RBI as an Inspirato Inspired Giving partner.
"Harlem RBI's values include teamwork, respect, diversity, promise, effort, integrity and, last but not least, fun," said Richard Berlin, executive director of Harlem RBI. "That is why our partnership with Inspirato is such a complementary fit. Between Inspirato's exciting vacation packages, and Harlem RBI's commitment to the kids in East Harlem, we're working toward the collective good. We thank Inspirato for this partnership that helps us achieve our mission."
Throughout the year, Harlem RBI will offer multiple opportunities for donors to contribute through the Inspired Giving platform, including the upcoming Bids For Kids Gala on June 4 and the annual A League of Their Own wine and chocolate tasting celebrating the women of Harlem RBI in March.
Funds raised through the partnership will go to support Harlem RBI's baseball and softball teams, where young people play with the same team from elementary through high school. In addition, funds will support age-specific programs, including the Rookie League Summer Program, which teaches youth in kindergarten and first grade the basics of baseball, softball and teamwork; the TeamWorks program, helping youth in grades nine and 10 develop academic, leadership and employment skills; the Legends Program, offering Harlem RBI alumni help with college retention, career awareness, networking support; and many more age-appropriate programs. Funds will also help support Harlem RBI's DREAM Charter School.
Harlem RBI graduates go on to become confident, competent, caring members of their communities. Since 2005, 98 percent of Harlem RBI seniors have received high school diplomas and 94 percent have been accepted to college.
For Harlem RBI donors, the donation and vacation booking experience is simple: the donor is given access to Inspirato's Inspired Giving exclusive web portal, www.inspiredgiving.com; selects Harlem RBI as the charitable organization of choice; and makes a tax-deductible donation of $2,000. That donor is then able to book a vacation to a luxury Inspirato destination and enjoy all that Inspirato members enjoy, including: personalized service from an Inspirato vacation advisor, an on-site destination concierge, and luxurious accommodations ranging from intimate, couples-only, one-bedroom retreats to large, well-appointed homes in excess of 3,000 square feet.
"Offering enriching, fulfilling travel experiences is at the heart of what we do at Inspirato," said Jackie Benton, executive director of Inspired Giving by Inspirato. "By expanding Harlem RBI's fundraising opportunities through our innovative and sustainable giving program, we hope to bring a new world of experiences to the youth Harlem RBI works with every day."
Harlem RBI's school-day, after-school and summer programs serve more than 1,200 boys and girls ages 5-22. Programs are free of charge and open to all participants. Once youth join Harlem RBI, they enter a safe, supportive and engaging environment where they can play, learn and grow. Harlem RBI's comprehensive approach to youth development replaces the barriers inner city youth typically face with concrete opportunities to build the skills and confidence needed to break the cycle of poverty. Learn more at www.harlemrbi.org.
Designed specifically for a new generation of luxury consumers, Inspirato offers the best of destination club consistency and service, together with unmatched value, flexibility and low-cost membership. Our members have access to an ever-growing portfolio of luxury homes in the world's top destinations, including California, the Caribbean, Colorado, France, Hawaii, Italy, London, Mexico, New York City and more. By leasing vacation properties (rather than owning), Inspirato is able to keep membership fees low, offer more than 50 percent off market rates, and easily add homes and destinations as demand increases. Our innovative business model has led to rapid growth since our January 2011 launch, placing Inspirato at the forefront of the "luxury for less" movement. For more information about Inspirato, visit www.inspirato.com. Find Inspired Giving on Facebook.