Economic Development Grants

Overview

The Global Climbing Initiative’s Economic Development Grants support locally led projects that create income, jobs, tourism opportunities, and small businesses connected to climbing. These grants fund community-driven efforts that help local climbers and communities benefit economically from climbing in sustainable ways, emphasizing local ownership, long-term stability, and alignment with community priorities.

What are economic development projects?

Economic development projects use climbing to create sustainable economic opportunities that benefit local climbing communities. They may support entrepreneurship, workforce development, guiding, tourism, or other initiatives that generate income while expanding opportunities for climbers.

Strong projects create lasting community benefit by strengthening local organizations, supporting climbing-related employment, or building sustainable climbing economies.

What this grant supports

We fund locally led projects with clear, measurable economic outcomes.

Examples include:

• Guide training and certification

• Development of local guiding businesses

• Community climbing festivals that generate local economic activity

• Workforce development programs

• Climbing instructor training

• Social enterprises connected to climbing

• Projects that expand sustainable climbing tourism

Eligibility criteria

Projects must be:

• Related to climbing (indoor or outdoor)

• Led by a local climbing organization with demonstrated 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.

Additionally, eligibility is subject to compliance and risk considerations.

Organizations may not receive funding in the same grant category in consecutive grant cycles. Previous grant partners are welcome to apply in a different category or after sitting out one cycle and will be evaluated equally alongside all applicants.

Grant details

• Grant amount: Up to $2,000 USD in the Economic Development category

• Project leadership: Local climbing organization

• Project period: Six months (see current cycle dates)

How applications are evaluated

Because we receive more applications than we can fund, we prioritize proposals that demonstrate:

• Strong alignment with the goals of the Economic Development Grant category

• Local leadership and community ownership

• Clear economic goals and measurable outcomes

• Evidence that the project responds to a genuine community need

• Capacity to successfully complete the project

• Long-term economic sustainability beyond the grant period

• A realistic, well-reasoned budget focused on direct project activities

• Alignment with GCI's values and commitment to locally led, community-driven work

Funding guidelines and restrictions

Budgets should be realistic, clearly itemized, and directly connected to project activities.

Grant funds cannot be used for:

• Projects located in the continental United States (unless led by an Indigenous community)

• Projects that are not locally led or are not clearly connected to climbing

• Projects that are not centered on sustainable economic development through climbing

• Research, academic projects, conferences, or white papers

• Social media or public awareness campaigns

• Political campaigns or advocacy

• Land acquisition, easements, or endowments

• Salaries, stipends, or general operating costs

• T-shirts, branded merchandise, participant swag, or similar promotional items

• Proposals without a clear scope, implementation plan, or timeline

Additionally:

• Budgets should prioritize direct project activities rather than compensation for project team members. Projects whose budgets primarily compensate team members for their time are unlikely to be funded.

• Organizations that primarily seek climbing gear should apply for our Gear Distribution Program instead. Limited equipment purchases that are essential to implementing the proposed grant project are permitted, but should not represent the entire grant budget.

• Revenue-generating activities should clearly demonstrate how income will strengthen the local climbing community rather than primarily benefit individual project leaders.

• For skills-based courses, certifications, and similar training programs, participation should be offered at no cost or at a reduced cost whenever possible.

Grant partner requirements

Grant recipients are required to:

• Attend a grant finalist meeting

• Sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), code of conduct, and photography agreement

• Name us as a supporter/sponsor in any public communications (such as social media) related to the project

• Within 60 days of project completion, grant partners must provide:

  • 1-2 page project summary

  • Folder of quality photos

  • Qualitative and quantitative metrics

  • Quotes/testimonials from the project team

Fall 2026 Grant Timeline

July 6-24: Initial application open

July 14: Informational webinars

August 3: Initial application notifications sent

August 3-28: Project proposal (by invitation only)

September 15: Finalist notifications sent

September 21-28: Grant finalist meetings

September 29: Selection decisions sent

October 1-March 31: Project period

60 days after completion of project: Photos, summary, impact metrics, quotes, survey due

Economic Development Grants