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.

GCI is announcing our spring round of grant solicitations in order to provide funding for environmental stewardship and conservation projects worldwide. Each climbing community exists in a unique context and environment, and we know that your communities have a firsthand understanding of your needs. Awardees of this cycle of GCI Environmental Grants will be given support and funding to address the unique environmental needs of your community in 2024. 

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

Proposed projects must meet the following requirements: 

  • Requests of or under $1000 USD

  • Led by a local climbing organization

  • Implemented between April and September 2024

  • Clear scopes of work

  • Quantifiable impacts on the selected community and environment 

  • Defined geographic area of impact

  • Detailed timeline and budget information

  • Activities that are sustainable beyond the grant term

We will be prioritizing funding for climbing communities that do not currently have avenues of financial support for projects like these.  We are also specifically interested in supporting projects led by individuals who are currently underrepresented in the climbing industry, including climbers who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.

Please feel free to contact us at grants@globalclimbing.org if you have questions about the eligibility of your project.

What we can't fund for this grant

  • Projects that take place inside the continental United States

  • 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 or our partner organizations. Please see our mission statement here. 

  • Research, white papers, academic projects, or conferences

  • Social media or public awareness campaigns

  • Political campaigns or advocacy 

  • Land endowment, acquisitions, or easements 

  • Salaries, stipends, or general operating costs 

Our next round of applications will open August 1 for projects between October 2024 and March 2025.

Please send any questions to grants@globalclimbing.org.