The North Face announced the opening of the 2014 Explore Fund™ grant-giving program, which will provide $250,000 in grants to non-profit organizations committed to inspiring the next generation of youth with a passion and stewardship for the outdoors.

During the 2014 Explore Fund giving cycle, grants will be awarded to organizations with activities in one of three areas: Creating more connections of youth to nature and providing an inspiration to explore, increasing access to close to home, front and backcountry recreation opportunities, or engaging a new and diverse audience with the outdoors.

“The Explore Fund is about making an impact in communities nationwide by supporting smaller locally-focused organizations,” said Ann Krcik, director of Outdoor Exploration at The North Face.

“Our hope is to empower organizations that are inspiring the next generation of outdoor explorers and conservationists to think even bigger with their programs, outreach efforts and the number of people they’re able to serve.”

In 2014 the Explore Fund is upping the ante by offering grants from $5,000 to $25,000. The North Face will democratize grant giving by calling on the community to vote for the non-profit of its choice via crowdsourcing in late summer 2014, which will give the top 10 grant applicants the opportunity to vie for $10,000 to $25,000 each. Organizations are encouraged to tap into their creativity, non-profit networks and the social media power of The North Face to reach more than three million fans and followers with their mission. The North Face will award:

  • Fifteen grants of $5,000
  • Five grants of $10,000
  • Five grants of $25,000

Since the Explore Fund launched in 2010, The North Face has donated more than $1 million worldwide to organizations helping youth get outdoors. In total, 80,000 youth in the U.S. alone have been impacted by this program as part of The North Face brand’s mission to inspire a global movement of outdoor exploration.

Applications for 2014 Explore Fund grants are now being accepted online through May 1. The top projects receiving funding will be announced on June 18, with the top 10 moving on to a crowdsourcing stage for a chance to earn $25,000 in funding.

For more details, grantee highlights and ongoing updates, please visit www.explorefund.org.

By press release


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