A person with their eyes closed, resting their head on a fallen tree.

#OptOutside

Imagine if everyone felt
welcome outside.

Outdoor culture isn’t inviting for many communities. But together we can change it.

Two people lie on a blanket in the grass laughing.

The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a nonprofit that partners with and supports organizations creating a more welcoming outdoor culture.

We invite you to learn about the grantees and reflect on how we can build a better outdoor culture together.

Learn more

Meet some of the organizations supported by the REI Cooperative Action Fund

Two hikers sit in a field laughing.

Wild Diversity

Wild Diversity helps create personal connections in the outdoors that feel safe and welcoming for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and LGBTQ+ communities through outdoor adventures and education.

We want our community to be prepared and able to take care of themselves and be resilient with anything that comes at them.
—Mercy M’fon, Executive Director
More on Wild Diversity
A person smiles in front of a partially snow-covered hill.

Center for Native American Youth

The Center for Native American Youth is a youth-led organization with programming infused with Indigenous curriculum dedicated to improving the health, safety and overall well-being of Native youth.

Too often young people are left out of the conversation.
—Nikki Pitre, Executive Director
More on Center for Native American Youth
A rock climber strapped into harnesses smiles on the side of a rock.

Adaptive Adventures

Adaptive Adventures provides outdoor sports opportunities to children, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities and their families regardless of their location, equipment needs or economic status.

Normalize that anybody, regardless of their ability level, can be outdoors and enjoy it at the same level as everybody else.
—Chelsea Elder, Executive Director
More on Adaptive Adventures
A person picks up a plastic bottle on a sandy beach.

Friends of the LA River

Friends of the LA River work to mobilize over 50,000 Los Angeles residents to achieve climate resilience, park equity and environmental health for everyone through cleanups, educational programs and advocacy.

Hopefully in 10 years it will be a no brainer that this river, when it’s functioning properly, actually does help us fight climate change.
—Kenyauda Brewington, VP of Development
More on Friends of the LA River
A child crouches around plants in a clearing of trees.

Children & Nature Network

Children & Nature Network works nationally to increase equitable access to the benefits of nature by mobilizing leaders, educators and caregivers to incorporate connections to nature everywhere children live, learn and play.

Access to green space is vital, not just for children today, but children of the future.
—Laura Mylan, SVP, External Relations
More on Children & Nature Network
Two hands raised in the air against a clear blue sky.
An adult and child lie smiling surrounded by tall grass.
A hiker walks through the bottom of a reddened canyon.

Time outside is a human right.

REI Co-op founded the REI Cooperative Action Fund to give all of us a way to contribute to positive change. The 501(c)(3) Fund makes grants to nonprofits that promote justice, equity and belonging in the outdoors. Every dollar donated makes a difference, thanks to the collective power of the co-op.

Learn more about the Fund
A person sits in grass next to a beach.
The future of outside looks like Black, Indigenous, Queer and Trans people being able to be out in the woods without thinking about whether or not they're going to make it back out.
—Alberta, she/her
A person, surrounded by tall grass, looks off into the distance.
Outside hasn't always felt like an inviting place to be. Hiking, camping, fishing—those things aren't always accessible to someone with a disability. I've had to be sort of selective in my experiences.
—Moranda, they/them