Photo by Lissi Chábeli

 

Supported by

 
 
 

Overview

The Global Climbing Initiative’s Social Impact Grants empower climbing communities worldwide to create positive change through innovative social initiatives.

As the global climbing community rapidly grows and changes, we have an opportunity to support inclusive community development at all stages. We firmly believe local climbers are those best positioned to envision a thriving future for their climbing communities, and our Social Impact Grants aim to help make those visions a reality.

What is social impact?

We define social impact as the positive changes that result from community-centered initiatives. These changes increase wellbeing, catalyze relationships, strengthen bonds, and counterbalance harmful patterns of patriarchy, racism, colonialism, sexism, ableism, ageism, and other forms of prejudice and oppression. We support social impact initiatives in the climbing world because we believe that climbing is a microcosm of the greater world, and that through this sport, climbers can change all of society for the better.

What this grant supports

We are looking to fund direct impact projects with clear and measurable outcomes to support the growth of inclusive climbing communities. Project examples include:

  • Capacity-building trainings on topics such as guiding, safety, first aid, and crag development, focused on expanding opportunities for underrepresented climbers

  • Access to gyms and outdoor climbing for underrepresented climbers

  • Climbing festivals and other events centered on underrepresented climbers

Proposed projects must meet the following requirements: 

  • Requests of or under $1000 USD

  • Led by a local climbing organization

  • Implemented between October 2024 and March 2025

  • Clear scope of work

  • Quantifiable impacts on the selected community

  • 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.


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 social 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 

Applications for the Fall 2024 cycle have closed.

Applications for the Spring 2025 cycle will be open February 1-28 for projects between April and September 2025.

Please send any questions to grants@globalclimbing.org.

Click here to preview Social Impact Grant application questions (subject to change for the Spring 2025 cycle)