The Access Fund’s Climbing Conservation Grant Program funds projects that preserve or enhance climbing access and opportunities and conserve the climbing environment throughout the US.
Donor Name: Access Fund
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 08/01/2022
Grant Size: $1,000 to $4,000
Details:
They fund work that:
- is action-oriented.
- encourages access or enhances opportunities for climbing.
- is forward-looking and considers long-term impact.
- reduces climber impacts on natural and cultural resources within the climbing environment.
- increases our scientific understanding of climbing impact, climbing behavior, and economic impact to further
- improve best practices for climbing management. All research projects must have a clear plan for distributing and communicating the results.
- develops knowledge about natural and cultural resource values, where the information is used to open climbing areas or mitigate climbing impacts.
- raises awareness about climber responsibility toward conserving the climbing environment.
- considers how the improvement will fit into the climbing resource as a whole and affect all users.
- has proven support from a local climbing organization and/or climbing community.
- demonstrates inclusive and nondiscriminatory access to the climbing area and incorporates JEDI principles when executing projects.
- incorporates a degree of volunteer labor.
- uses matching agency and local funds, as well as in-kind support and pro bono services (maximum consideration will be given to projects where matching funds total at least 50% of the entire budget).
- is strategic in its targeting and goals.
- accomplishes specific goals and objectives that can be effectively measured.
- takes place in the United States.
Funding Information
Most grant requests range from $1,000 to $4,000. Access Fund considers requests for more than $10,000, but these projects should have national significance and use a high degree of matching funds.
They do not fund:
- fixed anchors, bolts, bolt installation, etc.
- outdoor programs or guiding (e.g., taking groups climbing, except programs that incorporate stewardship).
- climbing equipment.
- marketing or membership recruitment.
- indoor climbing walls or artificial climbing facilities.
- political campaigns.
- projects that do not benefit a technical climbing area—such as rock, ice, and alpine routes where climbers commonly rope up—or bouldering areas.
- funds for paid professional services and travel stipends are limited and at the discretion of the grant committee (e.g., professional trail crews).
Eligibility Criteria
- They welcome applications from local climbing organizations, government agencies, conservation organizations, land trusts, grassroots organizations, community organizations, and individuals. Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status is not a prerequisite.
- Only one proposal from an organization will be considered per year. Applications from organizations that have never received AF funding will be given priority over applications from past grant recipients.
- They look favorably upon applications that take justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) into account.
- Grants to individuals: Individuals are required to report grant money as income. IRS Form 1099 will be issued for all grants in excess of $600.
For more information, visit Access Fund.
