Photo by Lissi Chábeli

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 sustainable community development at all stages. With an eye towards increasing diverse voices in climbing and a growing need for inclusive projects, we believe that it is critical to work directly with local community groups to promote responsible grassroots solutions in our crags, backyards and beyond. 

Each developing community faces unique challenges and opportunities, and we understand that you have firsthand knowledge of your community's needs. Therefore, the awardees of this cycle of GCI Social Impact Grants will receive support and funding to address the specific needs of their community in 2024.

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 climbing, we 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 training events on topics such as guiding, safety, first aid, and bolting

  • Access to gyms and outdoor climbing for underrepresented climbers

  • Climbing competitions and festivals

  • Purchase of necessary equipment for climbing development initiatives focused on expanding opportunities for underrepresented climbers 

Proposed projects must meet the following requirements: 

  • Requests of or under $1000 USD

  • Led by a local climbing organization/community group

  • Implemented between April and September 2024

  • Clear scopes 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 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.