Our Story
Our Story and Purpose
VacationHomesForCharity.org (VH4C) is in business of helping charities raise more money at their
fundraising events.
Charities and non-profit organizations have the difficult task of remaining focused on their mission while
living in the reality of generating funds to keep their vision alive. VH4C exists to help these charities
reach their fundraising goals while fulfilling their missions.
VH4C does this by marketing and promoting great vacation experiences. We are committed to
helping vacation providers receive maximum exposure for the vacation stays they give to charities.
We invite organizations involved in the travel and real estate industries to come along and make a
difference. Together we can support those doing great things for our world.
Our History
The VH4C program was birthed out of TheSociety.com, a high-end vacation rental marketing company.
A few owners and property managers of luxurious vacation rentals asked TheSociety.com to facilitate a
donation of a vacation stay to a charity so they could utilize it in the fund-raising auctions.
After a few successful trial runs with charities such as the Tony Hawk Foundation, Tim Salmon
Foundation, Boulder Community Foundation, and the First Candle (SIDS Alliance), VH4C began asking
more owners and managers “to give one spare week.”
In the winter of 2011, VH4C merged with Geronimo.com (Charity Helpers LLC). We encourage you to visit www.Geronimo.com and www.OneSpareWeek.com for more information.
Impact During Pilot
In the pilot program (2008-2009), VH4C raised $217,000
- Charities retained $148K (69%)
- Cleaning and maintenance fees (paid to vacation providers) equaled 52K (24%)
- VH4C operated on $16K (7%)
- 1.15 vacation stays were auctioned per event
- VH4C raised an average of $4607 per property at an event
VH4C worked with 61 charities and participated in 41 events during the pilot program.
- Reached ~10,000 affluent consumers at events
- Reached ~40,000 affluent consumers through invitations
VH4C had a final impact to charities of over $400,000. Vacation Homes for Charity merged with Geronimo.com Vacation Rentals for Charity in January of 2011. All silent auction clients of VR4C are now building websites to raise money year round at www.OneSpareWeek.com. Please visit this site for details.
