Giving Philosophy

REI's giving approach revolves around the two pillars: outdoor recreation and conservation. Since 1976, the co-op has provided nearly $25 million to nonprofit organizations. The co-op's annual giving budget, approximately three percent of the previous year's operating profits, is approved each February by the board of directors.

In 2007 we donated $3.5 million to 360 local and national groups — a 16 percent increase from 2006 in our giving.

REI's giving efforts differentiate the co-op from many companies. The majority of our grants program is guided by nominations from the nearly 10,000 employees who work, play and volunteer in the communities where we have a presence. Because REI employees have the most direct connection with local nonprofits that share our stewardship commitment, they identify potential grantees in their local communities. We do not accept unsolicited grant requests and proposals.

REI employees also coordinate and recruit volunteers for service projects, and generously donate their time and expertise to help organizations and individuals learn, grow and experience the outdoors.

Results from 2007 include:

• 305 employee-nominated grants
• 9,730 miles of trail and 14,680 acres of land maintained (via nonprofit grant support)
• 2,149,870 of hours of labor committed from more than 260,000 volunteers (via nonprofit grant support)
• 688 REI-hosted volunteer projects
• $662,480 donated by employees to their favorite causes through REI's annual Charitable Action Campaign. When adding the co-op's matching dollars into the efforts, almost $1.2 million was donated.

REI Annual Giving Budget