Explore Fund
Solicitation Title: Explore Fund
Funding Amount: $25,000
Sponsor Deadline: Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Solicitation Link: https://www.thenorthface.com/about-us/outdoor-exploration/explore-fund.html
Overview
<div>We’re excited to receive applications from passionate groups that work in innovative ways to increase participation in the outdoors and to protect our environment.</div> <div></div> <div>The Explore Fund grants are offered in three main categories.</div> <div><strong>Creating a Community of New Explorers</strong></div> <div>Supporting underrepresented communities in outdoor adventures, through potentially new and interesting ways, is core to this program category. We want to work with nonprofits 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 programing and trips to public lands. If your program seeks to develop new outdoor adventurers, this category is for you.</div> <div><strong></strong></div> <div><strong>Protecting Wild Places</strong></div> <div>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. Organizations 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.</div> <div><strong>Move Mountains Grant</strong></div> <div>The grants are allocated through a closed grant process separate from the annual open cycle.</div>
Other Information:<div>Projects with strong outdoor engagement in activities such as skiing, snowboard, snowshoeing, climbing (indoor or outdoor), kayaking, white water rafting, camping, backpacking, and hiking among other outdoor sports that align with The North Face are preferred.</div> <div></div> <div>Excluded types of projects:</div> <ul> <li>Programs without a significant outdoor component (They want to see: Projects with strong outdoor engagement in activities such as skiing, snowboard, snowshoeing, climbing (indoor or outdoor), kayaking, white water rafting, camping, backpacking, and hiking, among other outdoor sports)</li> <li>Projects focused on research, white papers, and conferences</li> <li>Sustainability, green building projects, or landscape projects</li> <li>Ph.D. projects, community gardens, corporate volunteer opportunities, school service projects and field trips are generally not funded in this category.</li> </ul> <div>When evaluating proposals, our committee looks at the following three guidelines:<br><strong></strong></div> <div><strong></strong></div> <div><strong>Impact</strong></div> <div>How well does the program:</div> <ul> <li>Create new and innovative approaches to participation, access, and/or environmental protection.</li> <li>Invite underrepresented and/or underserved communities to participate in the outdoors.<br>Show a positive benefit to participants and/or the environment in tangible, measurable ways.<br>Provide opportunities for future or reoccurring outdoor and/or environmental stewardship opportunities.<br>Demonstrate a history of working with their target audience.</li> </ul> <div><strong>Values</strong></div> <div>How clearly does the program:</div> <ul> <li>Welcome underrepresented communities to the outdoors.</li> <li>Encourage responsible participation the outdoors.</li> <li>Focus on providing the community being served with opportunities for reflection and deeper connection with outdoor activity and/or environmental work.</li> <li>Show authenticity in executing their work.</li> <li>Align with the spirit of exploration and activities supported by The North Face.</li> </ul> <div><strong>Design</strong></div> <div>How well does the application and proposed project:</div> <ul> <li>Clearly define its plan and goals.</li> <li>Differentiate itself from other programs or programs in its geographic region.</li> <li>Have a plan for outreach to their target community.</li> <li>Staff their program appropriately.</li> <li>Provide a detailed and appropriate budget.</li> </ul> <div>Factors such as geographic diversity of applicants are taken into consideration when making funding decisions. See the <a href="https://www.thenorthface.com/about-us/outdoor-exploration/explore-fund… </a>for additional details.</div>Last Updated:
RODA ID: 965