Celebrating 10 Years of Exploration for All

Exploration has the power to change lives and connect communities. When we search out new experiences, overcome obstacles and connect with each other, we change ourselves. The Explore Fund is how we’ve put this idea to work—by removing barriers so everyone can get outside and protect wild places. We’ve activated what it means to explore—for people and for culture. Yet, current events prove that we need to radically accelerate this work and enlist dedicated experts to help us do so.

Introducing the Explore
Fund Council

Introducing
the Explore Fund Council

Lena Waithe, Emmy-Winning Actor, Writer, Director and Producer

Introducing the Explore Fund Council

Launching in 2021, the first Explore Fund Council will be led by Lena Waithe, an Emmy-winning actor, writer, director, and producer who has worked tirelessly to champion new voices within the entertainment industry, and Jimmy Chin, team athlete and Academy Award-winning director. They will be joined by other leaders across culture, entertainment, academia and the outdoors to create scalable solutions to increase access to exploration.

The Explore Fund Council will focus on accelerating culturally relevant exploration opportunities and connecting diverse communities to the benefits of exploration. Their recommendations will guide $7 million in initial funding, globally, to continue building equity in the outdoors and create opportunities for all.

What We Do

Since 2010, we've created access and driven equity in the outdoors by funding hundreds of organizations around two themes—Enabling Exploration and Loving Wild Places. Today, the Explore Fund continues to grow through major programs like the Explore Fund Council, Walls Are Meant For Climbing, Moves Mountains, and partnerships with organizations like The Conservation Alliance and many other organizations.

Enabling Exploration

Exploration is within everyone, but some face more barriers than others. By removing obstacles and empowering people, we change the way that we think about the outdoors, ourselves, and our place on the planet. We open ourselves to the wide range of cultures and experiences that connect us.