The Vista Outdoor Foundation, a philanthropic partner of Vista Outdoor Inc., announced 12 nonprofit organizations selected by its Board of Directors to receive grants as part of the Foundation’s annual grant cycle. The 12 organizations include nine that were part of the inaugural grant cycle and three that are new for the fiscal year 2023. They represent a cross-section of organizations that promote conservation, encourage youth and veteran participation in outdoor sports and work to improve diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.
“The Vista Outdoor Foundation made major progress in our first year, and we’re pleased to continue the momentum in the second year with the addition of three new partners,” said Chris Metz, chief executive officer of Vista Outdoor Inc. “For the second year in a row, the organizations selected for grants are leading the way in promoting conservation and encouraging more people to get outside. Their missions align with our own, and we’re proud to count all 12 groups as our partners in these efforts.”
The Foundation received many requests for funding as part of the grant approval process. The organizations selected to receive grants were chosen following a rigorous review of grant applications by the Foundation’s Board of Directors based on operational, geographic and mission-based criteria.
“We are proud to be able to continue our support of last year’s grantees while also expanding the impact of the Vista Outdoor Foundation through the addition of three new nonprofit partners,” said Dylan Ramsey, general counsel and corporate secretary of Vista Outdoor Inc. and chairman of the Vista Outdoor Foundation Board of Directors. “Our support of these 12 organizations — which do everything from encouraging youth participation and diversity in outdoor sports to protecting the outdoor spaces that we depend on to pursue our respective passions — is based on our company’s belief that common ground can be found outside. We look forward to working alongside each group as they strive to unite outdoor enthusiasts.”
Vista Outdoor Foundation Fiscal Year 2023 Grant Recipients are:
| Nonprofit Partner | Overview |
| Warriors & Quiet Waters* | Warriors & Quiet Waters guides post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and find peace, meaning, and purpose through fly fishing and other inspirational activities in nature. |
| First Tee* | First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. |
| Eco Defense Group* | Eco Defense Group consults with, trains and enables wildlife rangers in national and regional parks to identify and stop the poaching threat before an animal is killed. |
| International Mountain Bicycling Association | The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is the worldwide leader in mountain bike advocacy, and the only organization in the U.S. focused entirely on trails and access. |
| Little Bellas: Mentoring on Mountain Bikes | Little Bellas creates opportunities for girls to experience success using mountain biking as the platform and pathway to personal growth. |
| National Ability Center | The National Ability Center empowers individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through sport, recreation and educational programs. |
| National Forest Foundation | Chartered by Congress, the National Forest Foundation was created with a simple mission: bring people together to restore and enhance our National Forests and Grasslands. |
| Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation | The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation teaches outdoor education and promotes and funds the conservation of wildlife worldwide. |
| Pedal Power MN | Pedal Power has created a model for 4th- and 5th-grade classes to go out for weekly rides with their teachers, to use bikes instead of buses, and to ride year-round with an after-school group to locations all over Minneapolis. |
| Protect Our Winters | Protect Our Winters helps passionate outdoor people protect the places and lifestyles they love from climate change. |
| Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc | Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation provides shooting sports education and opportunities to school-age youths to encourage young athletes’ personal growth and development. |
| Youth Seen | Youth Seen fosters and empowers the social and emotional well-being of LGBTQI youth and their families, including through outdoor experiences at Camp Youth Seen, its annual Summer camp in the Rocky Mountains. |
Stay tuned to www.vistaoutdoor.com/Foundation or sign-up for Vista Outdoor news to receive more information in the months ahead about the separation and future grant cycles.
