Environmental Grants

Photo by Veronica Baker Amores

Environmental Grants

Overview

The Global Climbing Initiative’s Environmental Grants empower climbing communities’ visions for environmental stewardship around the world. 

In our sport’s current phase of rapid growth, the global climbing community has an opportunity to support the sustainability of climbing areas through all stages of development. With an increased number of climbers comes heightened need for projects to ensure crag environments are preserved and protected into the future. We are proud to partner directly with local climbing organizations and promote responsible grassroots stewardship of our crags and wilderness.

What is an environmental project?

We define environmental impact as the positive changes that result from actions to protect, preserve, and sustain natural climbing areas. This includes reducing human impact on crags and their surrounding ecosystems, as well as educating communities on responsible stewardship practices.

Climbing depends on healthy environments, and as the sport grows, so does our responsibility to care for these spaces. Environmental impact projects improve the sustainability of climbing areas, ensuring they remain accessible and preserved for future generations. These initiatives demonstrate how climbers can be leaders in environmental stewardship, setting an example for broader conservation efforts.

What this grant supports

We are looking to fund direct impact projects with clear and measurable outcomes to improve the long-term sustainability of crag environments. Project examples include:

• Trail stewardship and erosion mitigation projects

• Belay platforms

• Signage

• Trash/waste mitigation and sanitation projects

• Parking area projects

• Stewardship and Leave No Trace trainings

Eligibility criteria

Proposals must be related to climbing (outdoor or indoor), led by a climbing organization (with a mission centered on climbing, programming centered on climbing, and evidence of existence and climbing-related impact), located outside of the continental United States (or representing an Indigenous community within the United States), and submitted by a member of the local climbing community.

Please note that we will not award grants to the same organization in the same category in back-to-back cycles (e.g. Spring 2025 and then Fall 2025). If applying in a different category, or applying in non-back to back cycles, the application will be evaluated equally against others regardless of past award status.

Project requirements

• Requests of or under $1,000 USD

• Led by a local climbing organization

• Proposed by a local climbing leader

• Implemented between October 2025 and March 2026

• Clear scope of work

• Quantifiable impacts on your local community 

• Detailed timeline and budget information

Factors in selection

Each application cycle, we receive more proposals than we have the funds to award. In order to strengthen your application and maximize your chances of selection, we recommend considering the following:

• Clear alignment with the grant category
  Proposals should explicitly address the goals and priorities of the selected grant category (Social Impact, Creative, Environmental, or Economic Development). Strong applications show how the proposed project will create meaningful change in its intended focus area.

• Community leadership and local engagement
  We prioritize projects led by local climbers and climbing organizations with deep ties to the local community. Strong proposals reflect a deep understanding of local needs and involve a variety of stakeholders in the planning and implementation processes.

• Demonstrated organizational strength
  Proposals are strengthened when submitted by well-established local climbing organizations with a proven track record of successful projects. Your application should highlight your team’s composition, organizational history, and past accomplishments, providing confidence in your group’s ability to deliver results.

• Defined goals and measurable impact
  Successful proposals outline specific objectives and include metrics to measure impact. Strong proposals clearly describe how the project will make a tangible, positive difference in the climbing community or environment.

• Feasibility and sustainability
  We value projects with realistic timelines, budgets, and scope of work. Strong proposals demonstrate thoughtful planning and include strategies to ensure the project’s benefits extend beyond the grant term.

• Elevation of underrepresented groups
  We are committed to promoting equity in the climbing world. Proposals led by climbers who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or from other underrepresented groups will receive priority consideration.

• Financial and operational transparency
  Strong applications include a detailed, well-reasoned budget and timeline.

• Alignment with GCI values
  Proposals should reflect the values of the Global Climbing Initiative.

What we can’t fund for this grant

• Projects that take place inside the continental United States (unless led by an Indigenous community)

• Projects not led by local climbers 

• Projects without a significant relationship to climbing

• Projects not centered on environmental impact 

• Projects that are not aligned with the values of GCI

• Proposals without a clear scope or plan

• Research, white papers, academic projects, or conferences

• Social media or public awareness campaigns

• Political campaigns or advocacy 

• Land endowments, acquisitions, or easements 

• Salaries, stipends, or general operating costs 

Grant partner requirements

Each grant recipient must commit to the following as a condition of the grant:

• Signing an ethics code of conduct and memorandum of understanding (MOU) 

• Attending a project kickoff meeting with GCI before the project begins

• Naming us as a supporter/sponsor in any events, media, or social media related to this grant project

• Within 60 days of the completion of the grant project:

  • Providing quality photos

  • Reporting on impact metrics

  • Writing a brief project summary

  • Completing a survey

• Collaborating with our team to produce a social media post

Fall 2025 Grant Timeline

August 1: Initial application due

August 4: Invitations to submit project proposal sent

August 29: Project proposal due (invite only)

September 17: Decisions sent

September 22-30: Grant meetings

October 1-March 31: Project period

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

Fall 2025 Initial Applications are closed.

Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full Project Proposal between August 4 and 29.

Please send any questions to grants@globalclimbing.org.