Nomad Life 💕 Global Philanthropy
Giving back to the communities I visit has been part of my travel philosophy from day one: showing up with respect and curiosity, seeking out local experiences, volunteering, and making donations along the way.
It started more than 15 years ago, at the start of my nomad life, with my first big adventure: 2 years, 62 countries, 7 continents, volunteering with humanitarian organizations. That trip changed everything for me. It proved that travel and meaningful impact don’t just coexist — they make each other better.
This desire to contribute is as steadfast as ever. So I’m formalizing my support & appreciation of the world's cultures, people, and places, through 2 giving programs:
Year-long Ambassadorships to promote global organizations
💕 Local Donations
As I travel, I’ll make micro donations (under $100) to community organizations tackling specific local needs. Think spaying and neutering programs for stray animals, beach clean-ups, school supplies for kids. Unglamorous work, real impact.
Have a local organization I should know about? Send it my way.
🌎 Global Ambassador Program
Each year, I’ll select two nonprofits for deeper, sustained support, serving as a full Ambassador for their mission. What that means in practice: a meaningful financial donation, plus a genuine effort to bring their work to our community’s attention and help more people understand why it matters.
Current Ambassorship:
Marine Conservation Institute (MCI) is a nonprofit that is dedicated to saving wild ocean places for this generation and the next. Their work focuses on protecting critical marine ecosystems through policy and conservation.
For the next year (June 2026-2027), I’ll be serving as a MCI Blue Parks Advocate. Blue Parks are outstanding Marine Protected Areas around the world featuring sustainable programs for coral reefs, deep-sea canyons, endangered species, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
🪟 Transparency in Giving
As someone who has worked professionally in philanthropy and social impact, I take transparency seriously. Every quarter, I’ll publish a full giving portfolio showing exactly where the funds went in the preceding months.
Each program that receives a donation of more than $100 goes through a vetting process, leveraging organizations such as Global Giving, Charity Navigator, and Candid that assess and score nonprofits based on their program effectiveness and financial efficiency.
One important note: all donations are made in the name of our Nomad Life community, but funded entirely by me personally. I’m not asking you for money — just your enthusiasm and your ideas.
I’m so excited to share this with you. I hope you’ll follow along and maybe even help shape where the giving goes.
The world has welcomed me with open arms, and it is my turn to return that generosity. 🫶
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Christened “Wander Woman” by National Geographic, Erin Michelson has traveled to 140 countries & all 7 continents. She is a professional speaker and author of the Nomad Life™ series of curated trips and travel guides, including the #1-ranked Explore the World with Nomads.