Economic Development Grants

Economic Development Grants is sponsored by Global Climbing Initiative. The Economic Development Grants program supports locally led projects that use climbing as a catalyst for sustainable economic development.

Economic Development Grants — The Global Climbing Initiative Employer Giving and Matching Gifts Economic Development Grants Input this page’s URL to Google Translate The Global Climbing Initiative’s Economic Development Grants support locally led projects that create income, jobs, tourism opportunities, and small businesses connected to climbing.

These grants fund community-driven efforts that help local climbers and communities benefit economically from climbing in sustainable ways, emphasizing local ownership, long-term stability, and alignment with community priorities. What are economic development projects? Economic development projects use climbing to create sustainable economic opportunities that benefit local climbing communities.

They may support entrepreneurship, workforce development, guiding, tourism, or other initiatives that generate income while expanding opportunities for climbers. Strong projects create lasting community benefit by strengthening local organizations, supporting climbing-related employment, or building sustainable climbing economies. We fund locally led projects with clear, measurable economic outcomes.

Guide training and certification Development of local guiding businesses Community climbing festivals that generate local economic activity Workforce development programs Climbing instructor training Social enterprises connected to climbing Projects that expand sustainable climbing tourism Related to climbing (indoor or outdoor) Led by a local climbing organization with demonstrated climbing-related impact Proposed by a local leader of that climbing organization Located outside of the continental United States, or led by an Indigenous community within the U.S. Additionally, eligibility is subject to compliance and risk considerations .

Organizations may not receive funding in the same grant category in consecutive grant cycles. Previous grant partners are welcome to apply in a different category or after sitting out one cycle and will be evaluated equally alongside all applicants.

Grant amount: Up to $2,000 USD in the Economic Development category Project leadership: Local climbing organization Project period: Six months (see current cycle dates) How applications are evaluated Because we receive more applications than we can fund, we prioritize proposals that demonstrate: Strong alignment with the goals of the Economic Development Grant category Local leadership and community ownership Clear economic goals and measurable outcomes Evidence that the project responds to a genuine community need Capacity to successfully complete the project Long-term economic sustainability beyond the grant period A realistic, well-reasoned budget focused on direct project activities Alignment with GCI's values and commitment to locally led, community-driven work Funding guidelines and restrictions Budgets should be realistic, clearly itemized, and directly connected to project activities.

Grant funds cannot be used for: Projects located in the continental United States (unless led by an Indigenous community) Projects that are not locally led or are not clearly connected to climbing Projects that are not centered on sustainable economic development through climbing Research, academic projects, conferences, or white papers Political campaigns or advocacy Land acquisition, easements, or endowments Salaries, stipends, or general operating costs T-shirts, branded merchandise, participant swag, or similar promotional items Proposals without a clear scope, implementation plan, or timeline Budgets should prioritize direct project activities rather than compensation for project team members.

Projects whose budgets primarily compensate team members for their time are unlikely to be funded. Organizations that primarily seek climbing gear should apply for our Gear Distribution Program instead. Limited equipment purchases that are essential to implementing the proposed grant project are permitted, but should not represent the entire grant budget.

Revenue-generating activities should clearly demonstrate how income will strengthen the local climbing community rather than primarily benefit individual project leaders. For skills-based courses, certifications, and similar training programs, participation should be offered at no cost or at a reduced cost whenever possible.

Grant partner requirements Grant recipients are required to: Attend a grant finalist meeting Sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), code of conduct, and photography agreement Within 60 days of project completion, grant partners must provide: Qualitative and quantitative metrics Quotes/testimonials from the project team Read our Guide to Applying July 6-24: Initial application open July 14: Informational webinars August 3: Initial application notifications sent August 3-28: Project proposal (by invitation only) September 15: Finalist notifications sent September 21-28: Grant finalist meetings September 29: Selection decisions sent October 1-March 31: Project period 60 days after completion of project: Photos, summary, impact metrics, quotes, survey due Economic Development Grants Click to view interactive map Trail building, route development, and community festival at Kuntur Sayana Women’s climbing instructor and wilderness medicine trainings in La Serena Empowering Women of Nepal Advanced climbing guide training for women in Pokhara Desnivel Centro de Entrenamiento Routesetting education for women and nonbinary climbers Climbing development for ecotourism in Santa Cruz la Laguna Please send any questions to grants@globalclimbing.

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