The GearJunkie staff shares thoughts on gear, outdoor news, brands, and more daily. But for Giving Tuesday, we’re sharing our favorite nonprofits.
It’s not often we get to step out of gear mode at work. There’s always something new around the corner, always something else to test. But, on this day designated for charitable giving, GearJunkie staffers are shining a light on their favorite nonprofits doing amazing work in the outdoors.
Stephen Regenold, Founder/Publisher — Full Cycle Bike Shop
Full Cycle changes lives in a tangible way by accepting disadvantaged youth with open arms and then training them for a job. The fact that it’s a bike-mechanic job means they are then connected to a broader industry and lifestyle that is healthy, fun, and generally very accepting and positive.
It’s a neat full-circle kind of grassroots organization that I am happy to support.
Kurt Barclay, Digital Marketing Manager — LoveYourBrain
Every 11 seconds, someone sustains a traumatic brain injury. Being active in the outdoors means we’re at risk every time we head out there. I know a lot of people who have personally suffered TBIs, and we need nonprofits like LoveYourBrain to provide better resources and education to truly understand how serious these can be.
The folks at LYB offer programs designed to improve the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain injury through programs that build community and foster resilience.
Sean McCoy, Editor-in-Chief — Backcountry Hunters & Anglers
My pick is BHA. Even if you don’t hunt or fish, this group is among the most active public land advocates in the country right now. And beyond fighting for your right to hunt, fish, and recreate on public lands, the organization is refreshingly nonpartisan.
Julie Kailus, Contributing Editor — Women’s Wilderness
Boulder-based Women’s Wilderness has stayed focused on putting females — regardless of ability to pay — in immersive outdoor experiences for over 20 years. I like what this organization is doing around inclusivity going forward.
The mission feels right: “Cultivate courage, confidence, connection, and environmental stewardship among girls, women and the LGBTQ2+ community.” Bring it on.
Mary Murphy, Reporter — Paradox Sports
I love supporting local nonprofits. And it’s so easy to do that when it’s a cause that aligns with your values. Paradox Sports is a great example. As a former non-climber, I always think about how awesome it was to have people introduce and include me in the community, and how to do that for others.
Paradox aims to make climbing accessible to all — it hosts some really cool climbing trips for veterans, and also works to create adaptive climbing initiatives in gyms all over. Plus, the events are always super fun. Whatever you’re interested in, just find a nonprofit that supports that.
Jake Ferguson, Digital Marketing Manager — Trout Unlimited
Fly fishing is my favorite way to explore a landscape and get lost in nature. Trout Unlimited works to protect and restore our waters. Its work helps maintain the fisheries and ecosystems we all love. And Trout Unlimited has local chapters in addition to its large national organization, which means you can get involved with Trout Unlimited to help your home waters directly.
Nicole Qualtieri, Hunt/Fish Editor — Back Country Horsemen of America
A lesser-known nonprofit with one of the biggest impacts in our lives is the organization Back Country Horseman of America. BCHA is a volunteer-run group of horsemen and horsewomen. These folks have organized and sustained millions of hours of trail building and maintenance across the United States since the organization’s start in 1973.
Since 1995, it has put $140.2 million worth of volunteer hours back into our public lands. If you’ve walked in the backcountry, you can thank these folks and their four-leggeds for the miles of maintained trails beneath your feet.
Jeni Arbuckle, Media & Partnerships Director — First Descents
First Descents offers cancer fighters and survivors free week-long outdoor experiences, ranging from whitewater kayaking to surfing and rock and ice climbing. I volunteered on a kayaking trip on the Rogue River with them last summer. I was so impressed with the abundance of vulnerability, trust, love, fun, and community that their programs create.
Adam Ruggiero, Senior Editor — Patagonia Action Works
For Giving Tuesday, you can double your impact by donating through Patagonia Action Works. Go to the Patagonia Action Works page and enter in your city or state. Then, select which issue you want to support: Biodiversity, Climate, Community, Land, or Water. Patagonia has a comprehensive archive of groups in your area. And until the end of the year, Patagonia will match your donation to one of its grantees.
If, like me, you feel overwhelmed by all the groups you could give to, being able to support issues that matter to you with Patagonia makes giving a whole lot easier.
