Explore Fund Grants
Our Explore Fund Grant Program has evolved.
March 2020 marked the 10th year of our annual open grant cycle (and what a year it was). The Explore Fund began as a way to support the next generation of explorers, and since launching, we distributed over 500+ grants and millions of dollars to nonprofit partners around the country.
As the world and the need for exploration have evolved, so has our approach to this work. As of 2021, the Explore Fund will continue in a new way, with a sharp focus on equity and access to exploration through The Explore Fund Council. We will continue to partner with the nonprofit community. However, our grantmaking will now be directed and in collaboration with each year's Explore Fund Council members.
About The Explore Fund
Exploration can be a powerful force for good in the world, with benefits that extend far beyond a specific activity. Curiosity, courage, and connection don't just propel us in our outdoor pursuits—they inspire us to do more for communities everywhere.
From 2010-2020, the Explore Fund Grant program helped create access and drive equity in the outdoors by funding hundreds of nonprofit organizations around two themes: Enabling Exploration and Loving Wild Places.
We also partnered with The National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks and a nonprofit partner to the National Park Service, to fund programs in national parks and on federally managed lands. Our shared goal is to encourage and enable people from all walks of life and abilities to get outside and explore.
Eligibility & Funding
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. Before applying, organizations must meet these initial criteria:
- Have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be in a formal relationship with a qualified fiscal sponsor.
- Be based and operate in the U.S. Projects outside the U.S. do not qualify.
- The Canadian Explore Fund Grant applications will be closed for 2020. Please check back April 2021.
A total of $500,000 is available for funding through our open grant process. Applicants may apply for up to $25,000 in grant funding and a minimum of $5,000. In rare cases, The North Face may award more than $25,000 to specific projects. Whether grants are awarded and the amounts of any such awarded grants are within the sole discretion of The North Face. For budget questions, please visit the FAQ
Program Categories
The Explore Fund grants are offered in three main categories. We ask that you complete the application that most 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 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.
Protecting Wild Places
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.
For additional information on what we do and do not accept with our grant program, please visit the FAQ.
Move mountains Grant
The Move Mountains Grant was created in memory of Ann Krcik, a long-time leader at The North Face, to elevate women leaders. The grants are allocated through a closed grant process separate from the annual open cycle. This $250,000 Move Mountains grant program will allow our Explore Fund to bring more female outdoor explorers into positions of power by providing funding and a storytelling platform to advance their work and inspire others. The 2020 grants will open this spring.
Evaluation
When evaluating proposals, our committee looks at the following three guidelines:
Impact
How well does the program:
- Create new and innovative approaches to participation, access, and/or environmental protection.
- Invite underrepresented and/or underserved communities to participate in the outdoors.
- Show a positive benefit to participants and/or the environment in tangible, measurable ways.
- Provide opportunities for future or reoccurring outdoor and/or environmental stewardship opportunities.
- Demonstrate a history of working with their target audience.
Values
How clearly does the program:
- Welcome underrepresented communities to the outdoors.
- Encourage responsible participation the outdoors.
- Focus on providing the community being served with opportunities for reflection and deeper connection with outdoor activity and/or environmental work.
- Show authenticity in executing their work.
- Align with the spirit of exploration and activities supported by The North Face.
Design
How well does the application and proposed project:
- Clearly define its plan and goals.
- Differentiate itself from other programs or programs in its geographic region.
- Have a plan for outreach to their target community.
- Staff their program appropriately.
- Provide a detailed and appropriate budget.
Factors such as geographic diversity of applicants are taken into consideration when making funding decisions. See the FAQ for additional details.
2020 Timeline
The 2020 Explore Fund Grant cycle was open from March 4 - April 8 and is now closed.
Application Tips
- Be clear and concise. State your program’s objectives and activities at the beginning of your application. Please be clear about the activities your participants are involved with.
- Describe your participants. Demonstrate that you have a clear understanding of the needs of your participants.
- Avoid generalities. In the limited space for your project descriptions, please be careful to not make general statements as to why getting outdoors or protecting the environment is important. Successful applicants use descriptive writing that tells a clear story. Additionally, including quotes from participants and news articles do not necessarily make for a better application.
- Show impact. Share how your program has affected participants in the short and long term. When possible, use quantitative data to show impact.
- Share how your program is unique. The Explore Fund is very competitive and receives hundreds of applications. The more you can differentiate and show successful outcomes, the better.
