Our Commitment to Stewardship

REI is helping to build a lasting legacy of trails, rivers, and wild lands for generations to come, supporting programs to help people of all ages and experiences participate. REI's involvement and impact in local communities reached new heights in 2009. Investing $2 million in outdoor recreation programs and stewardship projects, REI helped care for areas of recreation, introduce people to the outdoors and leverage additional dollars for great programs. Sally Jewell, REI's president and CEO stated, "REI recognizes that today's youth will be tomorrow's stewards of the environment. REI is committed to providing opportunities for young people to experience the joys of outdoor recreation and learn how to care for open spaces and our shared public lands."

Grants: Annually, REI dedicates a portion of its operating profits to help protect and restore the environment, increase access to outdoor activities, and encourage involvement in responsible outdoor recreation. REI employees nominate organizations, projects, and programs in which they are personally involved to receive funding or gear donations. During 2009, REI granted $2 million to more than 250 of our community partners. For more information, click here.

Service Projects: We care for recreational places by participating in and coordinating hands-on service projects. Each store organizes local volunteer stewardship projects dedicated to restoring and improving areas in which we enjoy outdoor recreation. Find a service project near you.

Local Volunteer Opportunities: REI partners with VolunteerMatch to make it easy to do right by your neighbors and community. Get involved and make a difference! Learn more about volunteer opportunities near you.

Join us in our efforts to protect and restore our recreation areas and enhance access to outdoor recreation activities. To find out about volunteer opportunities in your community, go to your local REI store and check out the Outdoor Resource Center for local volunteer opportunities.

Youth Programs: At REI, we realize that we will rely on today's youth in years to come to protect and care for the outdoors. Therefore, we have partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics to develop a fun, interactive and educational outreach program called PEAK (Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids).

The REI Foundation: The REI Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Foundation's mission is to ensure that tomorrow's outdoor enthusiasts and conservation stewards reflect the diversity of America. Recognizing that most people with a love of the outdoors discover the natural world early in their life, the Foundation's primary efforts are in encouraging active outdoor participation by young people and their families. The Foundation also supports communities by funding recovery efforts from natural disasters and local community programs in honor of deceased REI team members.