TNF To Give Half-Million In Outdoors Grants

The North Face will support organizations that increase outdoors participation, appreciation, and stewardship with a half million dollars in grant money this year.

For the sixth year running, TNF launches an open call for environmentally minded nonprofits in need of grant money.

The Explore Fund is a $500,000 kitty that will benefit qualifying 501(c)(3), or properly sponsored organizations, that “increase diversity and access to underrepresented populations in the outdoors and deepen relationships with their participants.”

Applications are open now through April 5. TNF will award the grants in June.

TNF: Explore Fund Grants

This year’s fund will award two categories of organizations: outdoor experiences and leadership; and for the first time, stewardship.

As usual, grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 are available for organizations geared toward leadership and access. For these, TNF seeks initiatives that connect participants to the outdoors through field trips and skills programs. Preference is given to activities that benefit veterans, youth, and underserved communities.

Organizations focused on environmental stewardship are also eligible. Programs that benefit public lands through youth education in science and conservation, or hands-on environmental-protection activities like trail-building, will be considered.

“We believe spending time in the outdoors is important for mind, body and soul, yet not everyone has access to nature,” said Ann Krcik, TNF’s senior director of Outdoor Exploration. “The nonprofits funded through the Explore Fund inspire their participants to try new outdoor activities and instill a lifelong desire to care about the environment.”

TNF launched the Explore Fund in 2010 and has since donated more than $2.2 million in grants. Each award is for one fiscal year and as the brand notes, the process is “highly competitive.”

Past grant recipients include Big City Mountaineers, Colorado Mountain Club, and Paradox Sports.

Nonprofits committed to growing and protecting the outdoors should check out the Explore Fund. A piece of the half-million-dollar pie could fuel your organization’s impact.