The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, released its annual report, showcasing 2023 impact data and highlights from its national Thrive Outside initiative, in addition to previewing participation research from the Outdoor Participation Trends report.
Since the 2019 launch of the Thrive Outside initiative in 2019, the Outdoor Foundation has helped to connect tens of thousands of youths and their families with the benefits of the outdoors. In 2023, Thrive Outside Communities engaged over 95,000 participants through transformative experiences in the outdoors and diversifying participation through innovative, cross-sector partnerships and youth outdoor programming.
In 2023, the Outdoor Foundation continued its grantmaking to support multi-year investments in regional collective impact approaches, across the country, to connect children, youth and families to the outdoors. Thrive Outside has helped build capacity of large and diverse coalitions – including nonprofit, school, health, social service, government and philanthropic partners – with a shared vision to provide positive, healing and equitable experiences for communities in the outdoors.
“We are thrilled to announce the publication of the Outdoor Foundation’s 2023 Annual Report,” said Lesford Duncan, the executive director of Outdoor Foundation. “The report underscores the tremendous impact of our Thrive Outside initiative, showcasing how our grantees’ collective efforts are transforming communities nationwide.”
Annual highlights from the national initiative include new collaborative program models in Oklahoma City, San Diego and Washington, D.C., where partnerships have been created between mental health providers – including children’s hospitals, county mental health and social service agencies – and outdoor nonprofit organizations, providing effective outdoor healing programs for youth struggling with mental and behavioral health issues.
In areas such as Detroit, Grand Rapids, St. Louis and Maine, the Outdoor Foundation has also supported the development of new outdoor gear programs and libraries to allow community members and organizations to access the necessary equipment and training needed to safely and effectively lead outdoor activities, regardless of their resources.
In 2023, the Foundation’s Thrive Outside networks have been at the forefront of developing and implementing millions of dollars of new resources for outdoor programming.
From local community funds to statewide outdoor equity funds, each program is centered around increasing equitable access to outdoor recreation while engaging underrepresented and historically excluded communities.
“Through strategic community investments and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation is breaking down barriers to outdoor access and increasing diverse participation in communities like never before,” said Duncan. “We are continually inspired by the countless stories of empowerment and connection that have emerged from our Thrive Outside Communities.”
To that end, participants served through the Foundation’s Thrive Outside initiative in 2023 were approximately 70 percent black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), and its collective impact approach continues to drive community-led systems change that reduces barriers for those most marginalized.
Looking at the work ahead, the Outdoor Foundation continues to listen deeply to both the successes and needs of its Thrive Outside Communities, positioning the Foundation to more nimbly respond. As the organization thinks strategically about expanding to new Thrive Outside regions, it continues to seek and adapt financial and technical resources to meet the gaps.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, donors, and dedicated team for their unwavering support,” said Duncan. “Together, we are blazing new trails and shaping a brighter future for outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship.”
The Outdoor Foundation’s work would not be possible without its partnership with Outdoor Industry Association and the support of leadership partners such as Amazon, Capitol One, Carhartt, L.L. Bean, Patagonia, REI, Thule, VF Corporation, Winnebago Industries, Wolverine Worldwide and others.
