Visitor Gifting

As well as being a great way to raise money, visitor gifting can also be so beneficial in other ways:

• By engaging Cornwall's visitors with the work of the Trust, as well as other local environmental issues, so that they can enjoy visiting our beautiful county for years to come.
• By providing the ‘feel good factor’ for your customers, as they know the money they spend will be going to the Trust to help fund our conservation work.
• By building a relationship your customer and promoting loyalty to your businesses as well as your chosen cause.
• By personalising your scheme to fit with product or services you provide. For example, a hotel could ask for an extra £1 per night’s stay, or a cafe may commit to donating five pence from every hot drink sold to the Trust.

Visitor gifting scheme success story:

Venus have been running a very successful visitor gifting scheme from their environmentally friendly beach cafes since 2006, where five pence from teas and ice cream flakes goes to both Cornwall and Devon Wildlife Trusts through their ‘Beach Wildlife Fund’.

Michael Smith, managing director of Venus says, "We set up the Fund so that our customers can support the Venus ethos of 'Loving the Beach' for everyone's enjoyment, now and in the future.”

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is delighted to receive £1000 a year to pay for primary school visits to Venus beaches, encouraging a better understanding of beach and marine wildlife habitats. The Trust is also glad to provide sessions such as a beach cleans and rockpool rambles. These are open to everyone and ultimately aim to encourage the protection of wildlife in our seas and around our precious coastline.

As well as a passion for the environment, Venus uses locally sourced food and drink, has installed solar panelling and encourages customers to recycle as much as possible. Their dedication to sustainability has been recognised nationally, as the company has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2005 and 2010.

A fantastic achievement, a much valued Business Supporter and an amazing example of how visitor gifting can benefit Cornwall’s wildlife.

Here are just a few more examples of more fantastic visitor gifting schemes run by local businesses for Cornwall Wildlife Trust;

• Bamham Farm Cottages in Launceston ask for a £1 donation from visitor every time they use tumble dryer and washing machines.
• Carbis Bay Holidays in St Ives have an 'opt-in' £5 per week suggested donation for guests booking holiday cottages.
• Higher Menadew Farm in St Austell have an 'opt-out' scheme asking guests to donate £2 per cottage booking to the Trust’s education work.
• Polstrong Feed Store in Camborne donate ten pence on every bag of bird seed sold to the Trust's general work.
• Rose Hill Lodges in Porthtowan encourage donations from their visitors for their wildlife walk guides, and in lieu of telephone bill payments.
• Victoria Inn in Roche gives five pence from all hot beverages they sell to the Trust’s Nature Reserves work.

Further benefits for a business running a visitor gifting scheme:

We are delighted to offer Business Member benefits for businesses who can commit to raising over £250 per year. For annual donations over £1000 we can create a bespoke publicity plan for your business, including dedicated pages on our website, press releases, articles in our magazine and related events. We also offer a ‘top-up’ system where you can make up your donation to £250 per year, which is ideal for smaller businesses or if your scheme looks likely to fall short.

Setting up your scheme:

Starting a visitor gifting scheme is so simple. Just contact Serena Pettigrew-Jolly on 01872 273939 ext 205 or by email for more details. We will provide you with posters, information for your customers and ongoing support to help you make your scheme a great success!