The Access Fund has launched the Climbing Conservation Grant Program to fund projects that preserve or enhance climbing access and opportunities and conserve the climbing environment throughout the US.
Because they’re a member-supported nonprofit organization, they fund projects that demonstrate local climber support, collaboration with land managers, and a commitment to long-term change.
Project Categories
Funded projects generally fall into one of these categories:
Educational Outreach: Signs/Kiosks,
Brochures, Multilingual Integration, etc.
Climbing Area Facilities/Improvements, Stewardship
Local Support and Mobilization (e.g., Local Climbing Organization start-up costs, capacity building, strategic planning)
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.
Eligible Projects
They’re looking for projects that:
Are action-oriented.
Encourage access or enhance opportunities for climbing.
Are forward-looking and consider long-term impact.
Reduce climber impacts on natural and cultural resources within the climbing environment.
Increase the 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.
Develop knowledge about natural and cultural resource values, where the information is used to open climbing areas or mitigate climbing impacts.
Raise awareness about climber responsibility toward conserving the climbing environment.
Consider how the improvement will fit into the climbing resource as a whole and affect all users.
Have proven support from a local climbing organization and/or climbing community.
Demonstrate inclusive and nondiscriminatory access to the climbing area and incorporates JEDI principles when executing projects.
Incorporate a degree of volunteer labor.
Use 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).
Are strategic in their targeting and goals.
Accomplish specific goals and objectives that can be effectively measured.
Funding for indirect and overhead costs is at the discretion of the grant committee but usually will not exceed 10% of total awarded from Access Fund. These costs include items not directly related to the project such as organization overhead or management costs.
Take place in the United States.
Ineligible Funding
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).
Who can apply?
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 but please reach out before applying to discuss circumstances.
Applicants who request funding within consecutive cycles will not be considered. Applications from organizations that have never received Access Fund funding will be given priority over applications from past grant recipients.
