Grants

Outdoor recreation and conservation are the heartbeat of REI's giving philosophy. Since 1976 we have contributed nearly $29 million to nonprofit organizations in support of efforts to make outdoor activities welcoming and accessible to all people and promote stewardship of the outdoors. REI's annual giving budget is approximately 3 percent of the previous year's operating profits. In 2009 we donated $2 million to more than 250 local and national groups.

REI's giving efforts are distinguished by our unique employee-driven approach. Our grants program is predominantly guided by local employee nominations. We believe this "on the ground" view is the most authentic way to allocate community support because REI's thousands of employees work, play and volunteer in their communities. As a result, they have the most direct connection with local nonprofits that share our stewardship commitment. Because of our local focus, we do not accept unsolicited grant requests and proposals.

Below are several examples of REI grants from 2009. Check your local REI store for a full listing of REI's most recent grants in your area. The below grantees offer many great ways to get involved with conserving outdoor spaces and connecting people with nature. Find local opportunities to volunteer and get involved in your area through REI's partnership with VolunteerMatch

• American Hiking Society
• Nationwide $15,000
• As the national voice for America's hikers, American Hiking Society (AHS) promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience. AHS's Volunteer Vacations program was started over thirty years ago out of a commitment to help under-staffed and under-funded government agencies keep trails open, maintained and safe for hikers. AHS volunteers provide their vacation time and sweat equity to improve our nation's trails. For 2009, AHS will expand its crew leader development by conducting at least two Crew Leader trainings (one east and one west) focused on leadership and trail sustainability. Additionally, they will increase the number of Alternative Break programs for college students in locations like the Arizona Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Florida Trail and along the Gulf Coast. Their Alternative Break program develops and trains a younger generation (18-22 year olds) to become stewards of America's public lands and helps to ensure a legacy of environmental recreation. Collectively, Volunteer Vacations, including Alternative Spring Break, will support 500 volunteers donating 20,000 hours of labor.

• Alaska Geographic
• Anchorage, AK $5,000
• REI's grant will support Explorer's Ridge Trail, a project designed to engage younger generations with the Chugach National Forest and create responsible stewards of wild places by incorporating youth into the process of updating and designing recreation and trail features in the area. Youth will lead trail planning efforts in response to input from their peers. Young people will also take part in overnight outdoor trips to visit the trail and will volunteer with trail construction and maintenance efforts. REI funding will expand the number of students involved in route and trail planning and get more students outdoors planning the trail, camping, hiking and snowshoeing.

• WiLDCOAST
• Imperial Beach, CA $10,000
• WiLDCOAST is working to conserve and restore the Otay Valley Regional Park (OVRP), a 9,000-acre area of open space in south San Diego County, California, four miles north of the U.S.- Mexico border. The region is one of the last areas of open space in south San Diego County. The OVRP has trails for hiking and biking and serves as a community asset for outdoor recreation and the enjoyment of nature. REI's funds will support WiLDCOAST's efforts to involve community members in the conservation and restoration of the OVRP, provide stewardship training for community leaders, and increase awareness of the healthy outdoor recreation opportunities in the OVRP.

• Conservation Corps North Bay
• San Rafael, CA $10,000
• Conservation Corps North Bay's (CCNB) Project ReGeneration summer program for middle and high school students introduces participants to a stimulating blend of community service, environmental education and recreational activities. Offered in two 4-week sessions every summer, ReGen channels the energy and ingenuity of youth for a summer experience that's as meaningful as it is fun. Members select, design and implement service projects that benefit the community as well as impart teamwork skills; build self-confidence and instill an ethic of environmental service. Activities include habitat restoration and organizing volunteer service projects.

• Valmont Bike Park
• Boulder, CO $10,000
• Bicycling is big in Boulder. Valmont Bike Park will begin to meet off-road riding and racing needs for bicyclists of all ages and abilities--from Boulder and beyond. The 25-acre, purpose-built bike facility will include 3 miles of trails, a variety of areas for bicyclists to build and practice skills, and spaces for beginners and young riders to learn and challenge themselves in a safe environment. It will also be a venue for bicycling clinics, events and races, and a place for youth teams to train. When it's complete, Valmont Bike Park will be a reflection of Boulder's enthusiastic, engaged cycling community and of the city's commitment to cycling. REI's grant funds will provide equipment and supplies for volunteer crews to help construct the park.

• Piedmont Park Conservancy Inc.
• Atlanta, GA $10,000
• Each year more than 3 million people visit Piedmont Park, making it one of the most frequented free attractions of Atlanta. Committed to bringing together the many communities of Atlanta, Piedmont Park Conservancy's (PPC) volunteer program plays a huge role in meeting the long-term needs of Piedmont Park by investing thousands of volunteer hours in stewardship of the park. Through ongoing efforts, PPC has developed model volunteer programs while providing tremendous cost savings to the organization. REI's funding will provide tools and landscaping supplies for the Park Volunteer Program. REI's involvement will help the Conservancy and its volunteers further the mission of enhancing and preserving Piedmont Park as a vital, urban green space.

• Friends of the Chicago River
• Chicago, IL $10,000
• The Friends of the Chicago River's ("Friends") River Volunteer Stewardship Program (RVSP) seeks to increase the number of high-functioning volunteer stewards enabling the Friends to better restore and improve natural lands along the Chicago River. Utilizing a strong and effective framework, RVSP manages volunteers through a continuum of activities and advocacy. The Friends believe that this approach affects the health of the river more profoundly by drawing individuals and groups into deeper involvement with its organization and the Chicago River. This initiative is an evolution of Friends' existing volunteer stewardship efforts and places new emphasis on coordinated mission-driven, outcome-based volunteerism. REI's funds will support the dedication of additional staff time to increase volunteer participation and will also provide materials and tools to support volunteer projects.

• Friends of the Wissahickon Inc.
• Philadelphia, PA $5,000
• Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) was founded to ensure the preservation of the Wissahickon Valley, a spectacular 1800-acre forested gorge of the Fairmount Park System in the city of Philadelphia. FOW's Sustainable Trails Initiative is a comprehensive plan to restore over 50 miles of trails. This restoration will ensure the establishment of an ecologically, physically and socially sustainable trails system that will serve a growing community of park users for generations to come. REI's grant will be used to support the volunteer activities associated with the restoration.

• Workshop Houston
• Houston, TX $10,000
• The Third Ward Bike Shop, a program of Workshop Houston, is a community bike education resource. The shop is designed as a place for youth to learn new skills and accomplish goals through hands-on learning experiences. The Open Shop program provides everything that youth need to fix their own bikes including mechanical expertise and parts and tools. For young people in need of a bike, Workshop Houston's Earn-a-Bike program offers the chance to acquire one by learning, practicing and sharing bike repair skills. Many program participants frequently return to the shop and become accomplished mechanics, volunteers and cycling enthusiasts. REI's grant will provide program coordination and supplies for the bike shop.

• Passages Northwest
• Seattle, WA $10,000
• Over the past decade, Passages Northwest (PNW) has engaged more than 5,000 girls and women in outdoor programming. With REI's support, PNW is planning to grow their their Girls Rock! program to reach new students and double the number of girls served. Girls Rock! is a ten-week afterschool climbing and mentoring program that helps girls learn to express themselves, gain leadership skills, and build community.