‘Make Change’ initiative launched to fund community projects

The Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) is turning to the public to help fund national development through a new micro-donation campaign dubbed Make Change.

The initiative, introduced at a soft launch held at the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary on Thursday, will allow shoppers to round up purchases at participating businesses, with the difference going towards community projects.

The Corporation, funded by private sector contributions since 1987, said this new model is to help sustain projects as traditional funding sources decline.

While the public will not be able to donate until the full rollout in August, TDC officials used the event to outline their goal of raising $650 000 annually during the pilot phase, which runs until December.

Chairman Mark Thompson described the initiative as a way to widen national participation.

“It opens the door for broader participation, greater national involvement, and renewed energy behind the development of our country,” he said.

Graeme Hall, Barbados’ largest remaining mangrove wetland, is the first beneficiary.

TDC has supported its reopening after 16 years of closure with Executive Manager Jacqueline Gill noting that the Make Change initiative is not about large sums, but national effort.

Also addressing the launch were Anthony Da Silva, Protector of the Barbados Wetlands Trust, and Geoffrey Roach, General Manager of Graeme Hall, who both thanked the TDC for its timely support of the sanctuary as it continues on its course to revival.