The North Face is seeking applications from passionate groups that work in innovative ways to increase participation in the outdoors and to protect our environment.

Program categories

The Explore Fund grants are offered in two main categories. We ask that you choose the option that most closely aligns with your project.

Creating a community of new explorers

Supporting underrepresented communities in outdoor adventures, through potentially new and interesting ways, is core to this program category. We want to work with groups that are helping change the narrative of outdoor exploration and are addressing issues of representation and access. Ideal programs engage or support communities in ways that might include developing inclusivity and self-awareness, healing and trust through outdoor activities, or developing outdoor leaders through innovative programming and trips to public lands. If your program seeks to develop new outdoor adventurers, this category is for you.

Protecting the Environment

Projects large and small in scale are vital for protecting our natural ecosystems and our ability to continue to enjoy them. Ideal programs think creatively about engaging communities in environmental work and creating connections between people and the land. Potential projects might address needs for new trails or forests, elevating indigenous knowledge of land management or other topics such as climate change on public lands or in cities. Organisations that work with new technologies and programmatic approaches to protecting our environment are encouraged to apply. If your program focuses on environmental education, please complete the application under this category.

Funding

A total of $25,000 is available for funding through our open grant process. Applicants may apply for up to $10,000 in grant funding and a minimum of $5,000. In rare cases, The North Face may award more than $10,000 to specific projects. Whether grants are awarded and the amounts of any such awarded grants are within the sole discretion of The North Face.