Members of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, in partnership with Columbia Sportswear, selected 20 organizations to support in 2016 through the Columbia/Grassroots Belay Program. The grant recipients are local non-profit partners of Grassroots members located across the country and will receive $5,000 in the form of cash, product, or both from Columbia.
Established in 2012, this program provides funding and product support to projects selected by Grassroots members. In 2016, 20 new projects have been selected to receive a total of $100,000 of support from Columbia.
“Since it began in 2012, the Belay Program has demonstrated its ability to accomplish vital conservation work while engaging local communities,” said Scott Welch, global corporate relations manager at Columbia Sportswear Company. “We’re proud of our long-term partnership with Grassroots and excited for the opportunity to support 2016 grant recipients in their mission to conserve the natural places we love and get kids outside.”
Since 2012, Columbia has provided $430,000 in support of Belay Program projects across the nation.
“This program is a prime example of how important work can be accomplished through the collaboration of great brands like Columbia and specialty outdoor stores,” said Wes Allen, President of Grassroots. “Our ongoing partnership with Columbia provides much needed resources and opportunities for Grassroots retailers to engage with and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.”
2016 Awards (Project name, grant recipient/Grassroots partner):
Building the Next Generation of Outdoor Stewards and Conservation Leaders, North Cascades Institute/Backcountry Essentials
Camp Kanata for SE Raleigh Teens, Alexander Family YMCA/Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Community Paddling and River Cleanup Program, Ausable River Association/The Mountaineer
Cranbrook Schools Horizons – Upward Bound Wilderness Adventure, Cranbook Education Community/Backcountry North
Cub Scout Camp Nature/Outdoor Education Expansion Project, Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America/Canfield’s
Eastern Sierra Youth Outdoors 2016, Rotary Club of Bishop/Eastside Sports
Grand Teton Youth Conservation Program, Grand Teton National Park Foundation/Skinny Skis
Kids in Kayaks, The Outside Foundation/Outside Hilton Head
Lander Youth Climbing Camp, Central Wyoming Climbers Collation/Wild Iris Mountain Sports
Montana Audubon Center, Montana Audubon/The Base Camp
Nantahala Kids Club, Nantahala Racing Club/Nantahala Outdoor Center
Native Expeditions Young Stewards, Native Expeditions/Pack Rat Outdoor Center
North Carolina Outward Bound School’s Intercept Program, North Carolina Outward Bound/Diamond Brand
Outdoor Lab/Casual Adventure
Paddle Georgia 2016 Youth Program, Georgia River Network/Outside World
Roaring Fork Young Stewards Initiative, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers/Summit Canyon Mountaineering
The Green Heart Project School Garden Program at Mitchell Elementary School, The Green Heart Project/Half Moon Outfitters
West Rock Hike Field Trips Scholarship, The Denali Foundation/Trailblazer/Denali
Wilderness Inquiry Mississippi River Community Voyager Canoeing, Wilderness Inquiry/Midwest Mountaineering
