Deadline: 01-Aug-2025
The Global Climbing Initiative is now accepting applications for its Social Impact Grants Program, which aims to empower climbing communities around the world to lead meaningful, inclusive, and innovative initiatives. These grants are designed to support local climbers who are most in touch with their communities’ needs, helping them implement projects that foster equity, connection, and resilience.
The funding supports efforts that amplify underrepresented voices and strengthen inclusive climbing cultures. Grants of up to $1,000 USD will be awarded to projects that create direct and measurable community impact.
Examples of eligible projects include capacity-building trainings focused on guiding, safety, first aid, and crag development, especially those designed for underrepresented climbers. Other eligible activities include providing access to climbing gyms or outdoor experiences and organizing climbing festivals or events that center on inclusivity.
Projects that are not eligible include those inside the continental United States (unless led by Indigenous communities), those not led by local climbers, or projects that lack a clear connection to climbing or environmental impact. Proposals without clear plans, political or advocacy campaigns, research or academic projects, and those requesting funds for salaries or operational costs will not be considered.
Eligible applicants must represent climbing organizations outside the continental U.S. or Indigenous communities within the U.S., and be members of the local climbing community. Organizations cannot receive grants in the same category in consecutive cycles.
Grant recipients must agree to specific requirements, including signing an ethics code of conduct and MOU, participating in a kickoff meeting, and acknowledging GCI support in related media. Within 60 days after completing the project, grantees must submit impact photos, metrics, a brief summary, a survey response, and collaborate on a social media post.
For more information, visit GCI.
