Social Impact Grants

Photo by Desnivel Centro de Entrenamiento

Overview

The Global Climbing Initiative’s Social Impact Grants support locally led projects that strengthen access, belonging, and leadership within climbing communities. These grants fund community-driven initiatives that work to reduce barriers to participation and create more inclusive climbing spaces, shaped by the needs and priorities of the people they serve.

What are social impact projects?

Social impact projects address exclusion and inequity within climbing communities by supporting climbers who are part of groups that have historically experienced fewer opportunities or greater barriers to participation, leadership, and recognition. These barriers may be shaped by systems such as racism, colonialism, sexism, patriarchy, ableism, sizeism, ageism, and other forms of oppression. Social impact projects work to expand access, representation, and leadership for underrepresented climbers and are led by local communities with lived experience of the challenges being addressed. Strong projects demonstrate how climbing can build belonging, shift power, and contribute to more equitable climbing cultures over time. These projects should demonstrate clear community benefit and be led by climbers with lived experience of the barriers being addressed.

What this grant supports

We fund direct impact projects with clear, measurable outcomes that contribute to more inclusive and equitable climbing communities. Examples include:

• Training and capacity-building programs (such as guiding, safety, first aid, or crag development) designed to expand opportunities for underrepresented climbers

• Programs that increase access to gyms or outdoor climbing for underrepresented groups

• Climbing festivals, meetups, or community events centered on underrepresented climbers

This list is not exhaustive. We welcome other project ideas that align with the goals of access, inclusion, and community-led impact through climbing.

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 back-to-back cycles. Applications from past grant partners are welcome in non-consecutive cycles or in a different grant category and will be evaluated equally alongside all other proposals.

Grant parameters

• Grant amount: Up to $1,000 USD in the Social Impact category

• Project leadership: Local climbing organization

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

Strong proposals include:

• A clear scope of work

• Defined goals and measurable social impact

• A realistic timeline and detailed budget

Factors in selection

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

• Clear alignment with the Social Impact Grant category
  The project directly increases opportunities and access for underrepresented climbers.

• Local leadership and community engagement
  The project is led by local climbers and shaped with input from the community it serves.

• Capacity and follow-through
  The organization has the experience, structure, and team needed to complete the project.

• Measurable impact
  The proposal clearly explains what will change as a result of the project and how success will be measured.

• Feasibility and sustainability
  The project has a realistic plan and contributes to lasting social benefit beyond the grant period.

• Equity and representation
  Projects led by climbers who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, or from other underrepresented groups are prioritized.

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

• Alignment with GCI values
  The proposal reflects GCI’s values and commitment to locally led, community-driven work.

What we can’t fund for this grant

Our Social Impact Grants cannot support:

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

• Projects not led by local climbers 

• Projects without a clear connection to climbing

• Projects not centered on social impact 

• 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 

• Proposals without a clear scope, plan, or timeline

Grant partner requirements

Grant recipients are required to:

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

• Attend a project kickoff meeting with GCI

• 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:

  • A folder of quality photos

  • A brief project summary

  • Impact metrics (qualitative and quantitative)

  • A short survey

  • Collaboration with GCI on a social media post

Social Impact Grants

Supported by

Our Spring 2026 grants application cycle will open in January.

Please send any questions to grants@globalclimbing.org.