Photo by Lissi Chábeli / Uma Rumi
Around the world, climbing communities are building programs that strengthen belonging, create opportunity, and protect the places we climb. Many are doing so while navigating significant resource gaps.
Our Community Grants provide funding to locally led climbing organizations in under-resourced contexts, supporting initiatives that:
Advance environmental stewardship
Build leadership and access for underrepresented climbers
Expand local economic benefits from climbing
We welcome applications from organizations addressing inequities and systemic challenges within their climbing communities. Our goal is to empower climbing communities to bring their unique ideas to life.
Eligibility requirements
Projects must be:
Related to climbing (indoor or outdoor)
Led by a local climbing organization with evidence of climbing-related impact
Proposed by a local leader of that climbing organization
Located outside of the continental United States (or led by an Indigenous community within the U.S.)
Thank you to our Community Grant sponsors!
Social Impact Grants
Creative Grants
Click the grant categories below to learn more
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS
SOCIAL IMPACT GRANTS
CREATIVE GRANTS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Spring 2026 Grant Timeline
January 5-28: Initial application
Mid-January: Informational webinars
February 2-25: Project proposal (invite only)
March 18: Decisions sent
March 23-31: Grant meetings
April 1-September 30: Project period
60 days after completion of project: Photos, summary, impact metrics due
Fall 2026 Grant Timeline
July 6-29: Initial application
Mid-July: Informational webinars
August 3-26: Project proposal (invite only)
September 16: Decisions sent
September 21-29: Grant meetings
October 1-March 31: Project period
60 days after completion of project: Photos, summary, impact metrics due
Meet our Community Grant partners
8vos a los 30s
Ecuador
Waste management and environmental education in La Chimba
Asociación Dominicana de Escalada y Montañismo
Dominican Republic
Campground and bathrooms for a new climbing site in La Altagracia
Cebu Rock Climbing Community
Philippines
Belay platforms for erosion mitigation in Cantabaco, Cebu
Club Millantu
Chile
Erosion control, environmental conservation, and crag rehabilitation in El Manzano
Desertika Escalada
Chile
Restoring trails, improving safety, and protecting biodiversity in collaboration with the Lickanantai Indigenous community at Jama Gorge
Escalada Libre
Mexico
Building a composting toilet and educating users on sustainable water and sanitation practices in El Salto
Escalada Sustentable
Mexico
Leave No Trace workshops in El Salto, La Huasteca, and Potrero Chico
Yago Bouldering
Kenya
Building a latrine, planting trees, providing environmental education, and leading clean-ups to protect the boulder field in Kisumu
Social Impact Grants
Sponsored by
Atlas Elevation
Morocco
Weekly climbing sessions for youth with disabilities in Marrakesh
Bangalore Climbing Initiatives
India
Rope skills and first aid education for Indigenous honey harvesters in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, India
Chiguanoikos Climbing Festival
Colombia
A new climbing festival centered on local community and environmental appreciation in Choachí, Colombia
Climb Like A Woman
India
Community-led crag development training in Badami, India
Climbing Association of Ghana
Ghana
Crag development educational trainings in Krobo Hills and Asubone, Ghana
Club de Escalada y Deportes de Montaña de San Pedro de Atacama
Chile
Outdoor climbing skills workshops for women and LGBTQ+ climbers in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Coletivo de Escalada de Lençóis
Brazil
Wilderness first aid course and youth transportation to Igatu Boulder Festival, Brazil
Desnivel Centro de Entrenamiento
Colombia
Climbing academy for public school students, opening access in underserved neighborhoods in Bogotá, Colombia
Escalando Fronteras
Mexico
Bolt replacement workshop in La Huasteca
Escalando Fronteras
Mexico
Celebration of 10 Year Anniversary in Monterrey
Holguín Climbing Community
Cuba
Community-led crag development training in Holguín
Uma Rumi
Peru
Women’s climbing and crag development festival in Pitumarca
Creative Grants
Sponsored by
Belay Partners
Mexico
Escalópolis, a board game teaching Leave No Trace principles
Boulderland Yerevan
Armenia
Creating Armenia’s first climbing guidebook, developing new routes, and hosting a climbing festival
Coletivo de Escalada de Lençóis
Brazil
Video storytelling on identity and representation
Yana Climb
India
Powerstar film on community-led climbing development in Badami
7a Escalada
Peru
New trails, routes, and a festival for ecotourism in the Kuntur Sayana climbing park
Cuartafem
Chile
Certifying women in climbing instructor and first aid skills in La Serena
Empowering Women of Nepal
Nepal
Advanced training for women to become climbing guides in Pokhara
Guatemala Escala
Guatemala
Climbing development for ecotourism in Santa Cruz la Laguna