The North Face believes exploration has the power to change lives and connect communities. The Explore Fund is how we’ve put this idea to work—by removing barriers so everyone can get outside. Together with our partner community, we’ve activated what it means to explore, for people and for culture. Since 2010, The North Face Explore Fund has funded and collaborated with hundreds of nonprofits to support access and equity with communities of explorers.
In 2019, The North Face implemented an evolved approach to impact with a focus on cultural relevance and collaborative grantmaking. To bring this vision to life, the Explore Fund Council was formed—an annually evolving cohort of leaders across culture, entertainment and academia—who join us in this effort, leading to the Seven Practices for Inclusive Exploration, an inclusivity framework to enable work at The North Face and in the outdoors more broadly, and other advancements.
Meet the new Explore Fund Council.
Creatives. Scholars. Outdoor leaders. Athletes.
Colour the Trails
Colour the Trails advocates for inclusive representation in outdoor spaces, working with brand partners, businesses, and organizations to break barriers and create accessibility. They subsidize outdoor adventures, create diverse content, and are actively working with their allies to create the change they want to see in the world. As a socially conscious business rooted in collective community well-being, they operate a business model focusing on social change and sharing successes with local and global communities.
Indigenous Women Outdoors
Indigenous Women Outdoors’ mission is to hold space for Indigenous women to come together and feel safe on the land. They want Indigenous women* to be leaders in the outdoor industry and to be confident in sharing their knowledge and connection of the land with the greater public. Through guidance and mentorship, participants can choose to start getting their own training and certifications to feel safe on the land, as well as lead other groups and women to get outside.
*Women* refers to gender expansive community members.
Our work.
Since 2010, we’ve worked to create access and drive equity in partnership with a community of hundreds of outdoor leaders and organizations. Discover more of our projects below.
Explore mode, activated.
Check out our events. Connect with a crew near you. Get in on the adventure.