Meet Our Founders:
Hal and Norma Taussig
Decades Ahead of Their Time
In the bustling early ‘70s, two visionary wanderers, Hal and Norma Taussig, dreamt of a world where travel wasn’t just about destinations but about connections—to people, cultures, and the earth itself. Thus, UnTours was born as the premier slow travel company, inviting adventurers to experience genuine, heartfelt European journeys. Little did they know this humble beginning would lay the foundation for something even more extraordinary.
Establishing A “Secret” Foundation
Fast-forward to 1992, and in a cozy corner of their modest home, the UnTours Foundation quietly sprang to life. Hal and Norma, ever the social entrepreneurs, envisioned a new kind of capitalism—one that uplifted the poor and championed justice. Hal, famously uninterested in personal wealth, crafted a revolutionary business model: Every cent of UnTours’ profits would fuel the foundation, then known as the Idyll Development Foundation.
With an initial focus on microlending, the foundation set out to empower mission-aligned businesses worldwide. It wasn’t long before the world took notice. In 1999, amidst the glitz of the Waldorf Astoria, Hal’s humble choice to stay in a local hostel resonated with many. “Until everybody has a roof over their head, I’ll be staying at the hostel,” he declared, embodying his lifelong commitment to simplicity and generosity. That night, the UnTours Foundation was crowned “The Most Generous Company in America,” complete with a $250,000 prize, bestowed by none other than Paul Newman and John F. Kennedy, Jr. This recognition of our philanthropic efforts is a testament to the impact we’ve made and continue to make in the world.
Hal’s generosity was boundless. He donated every bit of UnTours’ profits, and even his salary—taken only under IRS pressure—went straight to the foundation. His acts of radical kindness became legendary: Once, he gave his car to a hitchhiker, opting for a bicycle to continue his work. His life and business philosophy made capitalism a force for good, proving that every action could foster equity and justice.
Legacy of Two Change Makers
Fast-forward to 1992, and in a cozy corner of their modest home, the UnTours Foundation quietly sprang to life. Hal and Norma, ever the social entrepreneurs, envisioned a new kind of capitalism—one that uplifted the poor and championed justice. Hal, famously uninterested in personal wealth, crafted a revolutionary business model: Every cent of UnTours’ profits would fuel the foundation, then known as the Idyll Development Foundation.
With an initial focus on microlending, the foundation set out to empower mission-aligned businesses worldwide. It wasn’t long before the world took notice. In 1999, amidst the glitz of the Waldorf Astoria, Hal’s humble choice to stay in a local hostel resonated with many. “Until everybody has a roof over their head, I’ll be staying at the hostel,” he declared, embodying his lifelong commitment to simplicity and generosity. That night, the UnTours Foundation was crowned “The Most Generous Company in America,” complete with a $250,000 prize, bestowed by none other than Paul Newman and John F. Kennedy, Jr. This recognition of our philanthropic efforts is a testament to the impact we’ve made and continue to make in the world.
Hal’s generosity was boundless. He donated every bit of UnTours’ profits, and even his salary—taken only under IRS pressure—went straight to the foundation. His acts of radical kindness became legendary: Once, he gave his car to a hitchhiker, opting for a bicycle to continue his work. His life and business philosophy made capitalism a force for good, proving that every action could foster equity and justice.
Follow Our Evolution
Hal and Norma met, married, and settled on a Colorado ranch. The ranch went bankrupt when a last-ditch effort to save the farm's purchase of a sterile bull was made!
Together with their three children, the family moved east, where Hal and Norma each worked while Hal earned a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania.
Trying to launch a business based on his book, Shoestring Sabbatical (Westminster Press), Hal attracted tourists instead of sabbatical-takers. His new business, then called Idyll, Ltd. but now known to all as “UnTours,” was born, offering a rich, local, indigenous experience to travelers wanting more than bus tours of new lands.
As UnTours was becoming profitable, Hal decided for spiritual reasons that he didn't want any money. Hal's first attempt to share the profits was through dividing them among his customers—or “UnTourists” as they are lovingly called—and sending them each a check. Many thought Hal crazy, but everyone cashed their checks!
Hal tried a new approach, one that lasted a decade. He paid all UnTours employees, including Norma and himself, the same wage and shared profits equally at the end of each year. The year of the first Gulf War when U.S. Americans did little traveling, there were no profits and the staff was not happy.
Tired of the profits burden, Hal tried selling UnTours to the staff, but some with seniority blocked the sale not approving of Hal's egalitarian approach to this deal.
Hal then created the UnTours Foundation, seeding and replenishing it with UnTours' profits and support.
Hal and UnTours won $250,000 from Paul Newman and J.F.K., Jr. for being the “Most Generous Company in America.”
Elizabeth Killough joined Hal to help lead the foundation. Elizabeth instituted a change in investment policy to include consideration of the climate crisis.
The UnTours Foundation spearheaded the campaign to make their town of Media, PA, “America's First Fair Trade Town.” Supported by Fair Trade Campaigns, we paved the way for over 44 towns and cities across the U.S.
UnTours became the world's first Certified B Corporation. Hal inspired the B Corp movement through his life choices.
Hal and Elizabeth go all in on socially responsible businesses, investing in projects that hit multiple metrics related to people, planet, and profits, and funding business models that are replicable and scalable.
The UnTours Foundation began its advocacy to other foundations for mission-aligned investing after it was pointed out that the UnTours Foundation was 100% mission-aligned from the get-go.
Elizabeth blogs for The Huffington Post.
The UnTours Foundation hires Jonathan Coleman to join Elizabeth as co-CEO.
The UnTours Foundation launches the Reset Tourism Fund alongside Expedia Group, TUI Care Foundation, and other tourism industry leaders.
1946
Hal and Norma met, married, and settled on a Colorado ranch. The ranch went bankrupt when a last-ditch effort to save the farm’s purchase of a sterile bull was made!
1960
Together with their three children, the family moved east, where Hal and Norma each worked while Hal earned a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania.
1975
Trying to launch a business based on his book, Shoestring Sabbatical (Westminster Press), Hal attracted tourists instead of sabbatical-takers. His new business, then called Idyll, Ltd. but now known to all as “UnTours,” was born, offering a rich, local, indigenous experience to travelers wanting more than bus tours of new lands.
1981
As UnTours was becoming profitable, Hal decided for spiritual reasons that he didn’t want any money. Hal’s first attempt to share the profits was through dividing them among his customers—or “UnTourists” as they are lovingly called—and sending them each a check. Many thought Hal crazy, but everyone cashed their checks!
1982
Hal tried a new approach, one that lasted a decade. He paid all UnTours employees, including Norma and himself, the same wage and shared profits equally at the end of each year. The year of the first Gulf War when U.S. Americans did little traveling, there were no profits and the staff was not happy.
1990
Tired of the profits burden, Hal tried selling UnTours to the staff, but some with seniority blocked the sale not approving of Hal’s egalitarian approach to this deal.
1992
Hal then created the UnTours Foundation, seeding and replenishing it with UnTours’ profits and support.
1999
Hal and UnTours won $250,000 from Paul Newman and J.F.K., Jr. for being the “Most Generous Company in America.”
2002
Elizabeth Killough joined Hal to help lead the foundation. Elizabeth instituted a change in investment policy to include consideration of the climate crisis.
2006
The UnTours Foundation spearheaded the campaign to make their town of Media, PA, “America’s First Fair Trade Town.” Supported by Fair Trade Campaigns, we paved the way for over 44 towns and cities across the U.S.
2007
UnTours became the world’s first Certified B Corporation. Hal inspired the B Corp movement through his life choices.
2010
Hal and Elizabeth go all in on socially responsible businesses, investing in projects that hit multiple metrics related to people, planet, and profits, and funding business models that are replicable and scalable.
2015
The UnTours Foundation began its advocacy to other foundations for mission-aligned investing after it was pointed out that the UnTours Foundation was 100% mission-aligned from the get-go.
2016
Elizabeth blogs for The Huffington Post.
2020
The UnTours Foundation hires Jonathan Coleman to join Elizabeth as co-CEO.
2023
The UnTours Foundation launches the Reset Tourism Fund alongside Expedia Group, TUI Care Foundation, and other tourism industry leaders.
The Green Program
Join our epic adventure. We’d love to have you along with us.
Join our epic adventure. We’d love to have you along with us.
The Green Program
