In a recent conversation with Kari Bagnall of Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, we explored fundraising approaches that are working in the real world for animal sanctuaries. One strategy that stood out was partnering with Airbnb through Airbnb Experiences.
For many sanctuaries, finding new donors without pouring money into advertising is an ongoing challenge. Listing your sanctuary as an Experience offers a powerful alternative by placing your mission in front of travelers who are actively seeking meaningful, values-aligned activities.
What follows is a practical look at why this strategy works and how it can become a sustainable source of funding and community support.
Let the Platform Do the Marketing
Visibility is often the greatest barrier for nonprofit organizations. Travel platforms solve much of this automatically.
When travelers book accommodations in your area, nearby Experiences are suggested to them at the exact moment they are planning how to spend their time. Your sanctuary tour appears as a
natural option.
There is also built-in trust. Guests already feel comfortable using the platform, and seeing your sanctuary listed lends immediate credibility.
Visual storytelling strengthens this connection. Photos and videos introduce residents, habitats, and your mission before visitors arrive, creating emotional investment from the start.
Maintain Full Control and Protect the Animals
A common concern among sanctuary leaders is that public access could compromise animal welfare. This model allows for clear, ethical boundaries.
You determine when tours take place and how often. Even hosting one tour a week can generate meaningful support without overwhelming staff or residents.
You also decide which animals are visible. Shy, elderly, or recovering residents remain protected, while more social animals serve as ambassadors.
Clear rules reinforce sanctuary values. Guests are not permitted to touch or hold animals, preserving the sanctuary’s role as a place of refuge rather than entertainment.
Turn Visits Into Emotional Connection
Successful fundraising is rooted in relationship, not transactions.
When guests hear the story of where an animal came from, whether a research facility, roadside zoo, or private ownership, the experience becomes personal.
Using names instead of labels creates familiarity. Visitors are not meeting “a primate” or “a rescued animal,” they are meeting an individual with a history and personality.
Simple demonstrations of intelligence and agency leave lasting impressions and often inspire long-term support beyond the initial visit.
Strengthen Staff and Volunteer Engagement
These tours also serve as internal education tools.
When tours are not fully booked, staff and volunteers can join. This deepens their understanding of resident histories and strengthens their ability to advocate for the sanctuary in everyday interactions and outreach.
Why This Matters Now
Experience-based fundraising moves sanctuaries away from endless emails and social posts and into face-to-face connection.
Visitors do not leave as passive observers. They leave with a deeper understanding, emotional investment, and a desire to stay involved.
Connecting This Strategy to a Bigger Picture
This Airbnb Experience approach is just one of many practical strategies being shared during The Funding Blueprint for Sanctuaries, a one-day online event created specifically for animal sanctuary leaders and advocates.
Expert speakers will share proven methods to strengthen fundraising efforts, stabilize operations, and build long-term financial sustainability.
This FREE event is a must-attend for anyone who wants 2026 to be a year filled with clarity, confidence, and actionable insight into fund development.
Learn more and register here: https://betterlifeforanimals.com/sanctuary-summit/
