If you have dedicated your life to making a positive impact in your community and the world …
And have been dreaming of going on the travel experience of a lifetime …
But need some financial support to bring those travel dreams to life …
Then
The Hero Travel Fund
was designed for you.
The Hero Travel Fund
At Explorer X, we believe in the quiet power of everyday heroes — the teachers who ignite curiosity, the caregivers who pour compassion into the world, the community leaders who show up again and again. These individuals change lives not through grand gestures but through consistent acts of courage, kindness, and service. Their impact is profound. Their stories matter. And too often, their own needs fall to the background.
The Hero Travel Fund is our way of honoring them.
Each year, we select one individual who is making a meaningful difference in their community and gift them with a fully customized travel experience designed for renewal, connection, and reflection. These journeys aren’t just vacations — they’re opportunities to breathe deeply, to reconnect with what makes them feel alive, and to rediscover the world (and themselves) through mindful, intentional travel. By supporting heroes in this way, we hope to create a ripple effect: Inspired individuals returning home with renewed energy, fresh perspectives, and the continued ability to uplift others.
At its heart, the Hero Travel Fund is a celebration of humanity and a reminder that those who give so much deserve the chance to receive something extraordinary in return.
Because when we take care of the people who take care of the world, everyone benefits.
Key Criteria of the Hero Travel Fund
While every Hero Travel Fund (HTF) applicant has a unique story to tell, they share many of the same characteristics. The HTF was created for you if you have:
— A demonstrated history of making a positive impact in your community and in the world
— A strong desire to travel ... and use those travel experiences for learning, growth, and renewal
— A need for financial support to bring your travel dreams to life
— Proficient written and verbal communication skills
— A positive and values-aligned digital presence
The HTF is intended for people who have ‘given their life to something bigger than oneself,’ and who are making the world a better place every day.
HTF Award Details & Inclusions
Each year, we select one individual who is making a meaningful difference in their community and gift them with a deeply personalized travel experience designed for renewal, connection, and reflection completely paid for by Explorer X. This includes:
— Accommodations throughout the adventure
— All experiences, activities, and excursions
— All transfers and transportation in-destination
— Breakfast every day and some additional meals
— Explorer X Travel Design and Operations services
— In-destination logistics support from our local team
— Explorer X gear
See the FAQ section below for additional information.
How to Apply
Key Dates & Deadlines for 2026
— March 26 – August 31: Rolling Application Period
— October 1: Semi-Finalists Announced
— October 31: Semi-Finalist Essays Due
— November 20: Finalists Announced
— December 1–11: Finalist Interviews
— December 18: Winner Announced
The Application Process:
— Applicants begin by submitting a Basic Info Form, Resume/CV, and short Video describing why they deserve to win the HTF
— Semi-finalists will be asked to submit an Essay sharing their vision for the Journey they would go on should they be selected as a winner
— Finalists will Interview with the Explorer X Team to connect, learn more about one another, and review any outstanding questions
Meet the 2025 Hero Travel Fund Winners
Keishanna Rasin
Shanna is a Brooklyn native who is on a mission to sprinkle kindness across the globe. As a career social worker and youth advocate in New York City, Shanna spent more than a decade selflessly serving her community before a traumatic event prompted her to seek renewal through the Hero Travel Fund. In November 2025, Shanna went on a solo Destination: Unknown Adventure to Tanzania with her Hero Travel Fund award. Read her blog here.
Katie Hoover
Katie is a teacher at a public high school in New York City, where she teaches English as a New Language (ENL) to students from around the world, many of whom have only recently arrived in the United States. After several challenging years, she looked to the Hero Travel Fund to craft a restorative honeymoon for her and her husband. Katie and her husband, Texas, went on a Destination: Unknown Adventure to Slovenia in July 2025. Read her blog here.
Support the Hero Travel Fund
There are opportunities for those who share our belief in the power of travel to transform lives to donate to the Hero Travel Fund. Your donation expands the fund to honor more heroes and widen the ripple effect of positive change. As a contributor, you’re honoring someone’s story, uplifting communities, and investing in a more connected, compassionate world. On behalf of the Explorer X team, our traveler community, and all of the heroes out there helping make the world a better place: Thank you for helping us make these life-changing experiences possible.
Please note: Explorer X is a for-profit organization; as such, your donation to the Hero Travel Fund is NOT tax-deductible. Please see the HTF Donation Page for important notes and details.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. The HTF award is intended to be used for an immersive travel experience that rewards the impact you have already made in the world and may not be used for educational purposes (ex: to attend a course somewhere) or as a research grant.
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The HTF is intended for people who would not otherwise be able to afford a travel experience with Explorer X. While there is no way for us to verify your financial need, we do ask those who have alternative financial resources and means – family wealth, a significant other, etc. – that could be used to travel with us to refrain from applying.
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Recipients are welcome to use personal funds to enhance their journey.
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Possibly. If the additional cost of bringing a travel companion fits within the award amount, then yes. If the subsequent cost of the trip exceeds the award amount, you and/or your travel companion will be responsible for any additional costs.
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Yes! You will work with your Travel Designer to craft a Custom Journey to the destination of your dreams. If you are feeling particularly adventurous, we invite you to consider going on a Destination: Unknown Adventure.
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Ideally, travel would take place within a calendar year of receiving the award, but we can be somewhat flexible here depending on location and life circumstances.
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There are several expectations of the recipient:
Complete a pre-trip video interview with Explorer X
Write a pre-trip blog post about your upcoming Journey
Travel like a HERO: Humble, Engaged, Resilient, and Open-Minded
Tag Explorer X on related social media posts made before, during, and after your trip
Write a post-trip blog describing your adventures and what you learned along the way
Participate in a post-trip video interview with Explorer X
You will also invited to be involved with the HTF in the future as a committee member or volunteer.