Community Grants

Locally led support for climbing communities worldwide

The Global Climbing Initiative’s Community Grants provide flexible, project-based funding to locally led climbing organizations around the world. These grants support ideas that strengthen climbing access, steward outdoor environments, expand opportunity, and build long-term economic resilience within climbing communities.

We prioritize projects that address inequities and structural challenges within local climbing communities, with a focus on supporting the visions of individuals from low resource backgrounds and those historically underrepresented in the climbing industry.

Community Grants at a glance

• 28 locally led projects funded in 16 countries

• Partners across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East

• Grantmaking since 2023

• 3 focus areas: Environmental, Social Impact, and Economic Development

Current status

The Spring 2026 application is now open.

Who these grants are for

Our Community Grants are designed for grassroots climbing groups: organizations that are rooted in their local context and leading their own work.

You may be a good fit if:

• You are part of a climbing organization with local leadership

• Your project is climbing-related and community-centered

• The work is led outside the continental United States, or by an Indigenous-led community within the U.S.

• You have a clear plan for how this project benefits your climbing community

What we fund

We offer Community Grants across three focus areas. Each category reflects a different way climbing can support thriving, resilient communities. Click the photos below to learn more about the requirements for each category.

Thank you to Osprey Packs for sponsoring our Social Impact Grants!

How the application process works

We aim to make the application process transparent and accessible.

1. Submit an Initial Application (short form)

2. Selected applicants are invited to submit a full Project Proposal

3. Proposals are reviewed by our panel

4. Grant finalists are selected and notified

5. Projects are implemented, with light-touch reporting focused on learning and impact

Grant Timelines

What we look for

While each project is evaluated on its own merits, our reviewers consider:

• Local leadership and community connection

• Clear need and relevance to the community served

• Feasibility within the proposed timeline and budget

• Potential for meaningful, lasting impact

• Alignment with one of our grant categories

Our review process prioritizes context, clarity, and intention over polish or professional grant-writing experience.

Start your application

Before applying, we strongly recommend reviewing your intended grant category and reading our Guide to Applying, which includes:

• Detailed eligibility criteria

• Category explanations and examples

• Application tips and FAQs

• Language access information

When ready, you can submit your application using the link below.

Community Grants in practice

These projects illustrate the range of locally led work our Community Grants support, across different regions, contexts, and approaches.

Explore additional projects by category:

Cover photo: YanaClimb (India)