At the Family Bonds Foundation, we believe in the tremendous power of our travel industry community! We know that life can throw unexpected challenges our way, and sometimes our colleagues, their family members, and communities need a helping hand.
Your Donation Makes a Difference
Every day, the dedicated individuals of the travel industry work tirelessly to create unforgettable experiences for others. But what happens when those in our family face personal setbacks that affect them financially? That’s where you come in.
Your generous donation can help our colleagues, their families, and communities, such as:
- A parent navigating the difficulties of raising a child with special needs or adjusting to new medical requirements
- Someone struggling to meet the growing care needs of their elderly parents
- A family facing the process of rebuilding their home and lives after a natural disaster
How It Works
We’re More Than Just Colleagues – We’re Family
With countless members of our travel industry family, we’ve all seen firsthand how an unexpected health diagnosis, destruction from hurricanes and fires, and other unforeseen events can impact our lives. By contributing to Family Bonds Foundation, you’re not just giving money—you’re providing hope, support, and a powerful sense of community to those in our travel industry family who need our help.
Donate
Your donation will help a colleague or someone in their community suffering from a personal setback that has affected them financially.
Donate
Your donation will help a colleague or someone in their community suffering from a personal setback that has affected them financially.
Donate
Your donation will help a colleague or someone in their community suffering from a personal setback that has affected them financially.
ABOUT
A Growing Impact
Since our inception, we’ve made a significant difference in the lives of many:
- Over 250 grants distributed to date
- More than 200,000 individual travel advisors, suppliers, and community members supported
- Record-breaking fundraising efforts, including $461,000 raised in 2024
How We Help
Our grants assist with various needs, including:
- Medical care or equipment expenses
- College tuition
- Childcare
- Recovery from the effects of natural disasters
- Basic necessities during unexpected financial hardships
The Family Bonds Difference
What sets us apart is our commitment to treating everyone in the industry as family. We understand that life can throw unexpected challenges, and we’re here to provide a safety net when it’s needed most.
Join Our Mission
We invite everyone in the travel industry to be part of our mission:
- Nominate individuals in need for grants
- Make a donation to support our cause
- Become a Corporate Sponsor
- Spread awareness about our foundation
The Story of Family Bonds Foundation
Family Bonds Foundation was born from a simple yet powerful idea: to support and uplift our travel industry family during times of need. Founded in 2015 by John Lovell, President of Travel Leaders Group (now part of Internova Travel Group), the Foundation embodies the spirit of compassion and community that defines our industry.
Our Mission
At Family Bonds Foundation, we believe that no member of our travel industry family should face hardship alone.
Our mission is to provide financial assistance to travel advisors, suppliers, and their communities who are experiencing unexpected challenges.
TESTIMONIALS
Brenda Blacker
Witnessing the Testimonials at the Conferences, I never imagined that my...
Carolyn Kempf
Since 1997 I’ve devoted my life to tourism. Since formin Elite travel in...
Steven Clark
On 14 July 2019 my family’s life changed drastically. While returning...
Natalee Fox
So my story started five years ago, after vacationing with my husband in...
NOMINATE
Nomination Form
Help the Family Bonds Foundation identify the individuals who need support the most. Nominations must be made by a travel advisor, staff member or supplier partner.
We Need Your Help
There are a lot of people within the travel industry family—more than 20,000 individual agents, plus many in their local communities—and some struggle with unforeseen circumstances that affect them financially.
They are single parents working hard to raise a child; they are spending more than they can afford to assist their elderly parents; they are suffering from a personal setback that has affected them financially.
Who We Help
DONATE
Donate Today!
If you prefer to mail a check, please make it out to Family Bonds Foundation and mail to our headquarters:
PO Box 47248
Plymouth, MN 55447
Donate Through Mail
If you prefer to mail a check, please make it out to Family Bonds Foundation and mail to our headquarters:
625 N Washington Street, Suite 320 Alexandria, VA. 22314
Gift with Donation
“The Family Table” is a special digital cookbook featuring signature recipes and drinks shared by renowned partners from across the travel industry — including top hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and more. It’s a unique opportunity to bring world-class flavors into your home.
Available with every donation of $25 or more.
In Good Company
Below is a list of the Family Bonds Foundation’s corporate sponsors:
Diamond Plus Donors
- Allianz Partners
- AmaWaterways
Diamond Donors
- Globus Family of Brands
- Outside Agents
- Pavlus Travel
- Signature Travel Network
Platinum Donors
- Cruise Holidays
- Enterprise Mobility
- Global Travel Collection
- Nexion Travel Group
- Oasis Travel Network
- Travel Leaders Network
- Sandals
- Unique Vacations
Gold Donors
- Cruise Brothers
- Cruise Planners
- Dream Vacations
- InteleTravel
- Royal Caribbean Group
- Travel Leaders – Galaxy Travel, Lewisburg, Owatonna
- Travel Planners International
- WorldVia
- Worldwide Travel Associates
Silver Donors
- Titanium Tours
Bronze Donors
- Expedia TAAP
- MGA Travel
- Outlander Travel
- The Vacation Guy
- Travel Leaders Apple Valley
OUR BOARD
At Family Bonds Foundation, our Board of Directors comprises passionate and dedicated leaders from across the travel industry. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting their colleagues during challenging times. Each member plays a crucial role in guiding our mission to provide financial assistance to those in need within our community.
Together, they review nominations for grants and ensure that the Foundation’s resources are directed where they can make the most significant impact. Their collective expertise and compassion drive our efforts to uplift families facing hardships, reinforcing the idea that in the travel industry, we are not just colleagues but a family that stands together in times of need.
- Joanne Schimelman, Royal Caribbean
- Jim Tedesco, Apple Leisure Group
- Jay Pope, Enterprise Holdings
- Haisley Smith, Internova Travel Group
- Jackie Friedman, President, Family Bonds and Nexion, LLC
- Nicole Galowin, TLN and Secretary for Family Bonds Foundation
- Angie Licea, Global Travel Collection
- Scott Nisbet, Globus family of brands
- Sandy Clark, Sandy Clark Travel
- Robert Cavaliere, Allianz Partners
- Sara Butruff, Travel Leaders
- Joshua Harrell, WorldVia
- Dawn Levy Vance, Executive Travel Consultants
- Suzy Gustafson, SG Travel Two Inc.
- Mimi Comfort, Cruise Holidays of Kansas City
- Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises and Vice President of Family Bonds Foundation
- Christine Potthoff, travel beCAUSE
- Craig Pavlus, Pavlus Travel
- Julie Howard, Signature Travel Network
