Outdoor Research opens new ‘We Can’ Grant cycle to award $10k to efforts that improve outdoor access, opportunity

April 30, 2019

Third-annual grant program helps support people, programs who undertake efforts to improve community access to the outdoors.

SEATTLE, Wash. (April 30, 2019) – People looking to jump-start grassroots efforts supporting outdoor access or other outdoor-related causes in their communities can earn up to $10,000, as Outdoor Research opens the application window for the third year of its ‘We Can’ Grant.

The grant, offered by the Seattle-based outdoor equipment maker, offers $10,000 annually to individuals or organizations who undertake efforts to improve access to the outdoors on their home turf, who create opportunities for people to enjoy outdoor activities, or who foster educational efforts around the outdoors. Applications can be submitted May 1 to 31, 2019.

As a brand, Outdoor Research has been working behind the scenes for many years to support organizations and programs that advocate from the top down for public lands and public-lands access. The ‘We Can’ Grant Program builds on this concept, but with a grassroots approach.

“The genesis of this grand is to support the people who leave things better than they found it,” said Erika Canfield, Head of Marketing at Outdoor Research. “Often someone seeing something that needs to get done in their local community is the genesis of action that makes a real difference. This grant is about trying to help people and organizations realize that kind of small-scale but incremental and hugely important change.”

The application process is straightforward. Candidates simply must be affiliated with a non-profit organization that supports a cause tied to public-lands or outdoor access.

In 2018, Outdoor Research awarded the grant to The Winnipeg Repair Education and Cycling Hub. WRENCH, as it’s known, is a Canadian non-profit that focuses on empowering cycling, on building healthy communities, and on educating youth to build bike-repair skills, strengthening their knowledge and confidence in the process.

The WRENCH provides education, training and resources. Programs include the Earn A Bike workshops, where people who volunteer a few hours are able to co-build a bike, which they then can take home with them for free. Or, the Mellow Velo workshop, an open shop day for women, trans and femme-identifying people to work on their bikes in a space that’s safe for people who might feel marginalized, intimidated and/or unsafe.

In 2017, the inaugural year of the grant, Outdoor Research split the grant between two recipients. Those were Julie Gardner and Marc Bourguignon, who, through their work with Vertical Generation, used the funds to bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor climbing for multi-cultural youth in the Denver and Seattle areas. And Joe Sambataro, who, through work with the Washington Climbers Coalition, used the funds to help complete much needed infrastructure work at four of Washington’s most used crags.

About Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research® is dedicated to inspiring the journey ahead with award-winning technical apparel and accessories. Based in Seattle since 1981, we are committed to improving our customer’s experience through innovative materials, purpose-driven features, and versatile products that are backed by our Infinite Guarantee®. We rely on the real-world testing of our athlete ambassadors, mountain guides, and local adventurers involved in our core sports: alpinism, rock and ice climbing, hiking, backpacking, paddling, trail running, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding. We’re here for the fun, adventure, excitement, and For the Journey Ahead™. Get to know us at www.outdoorresearch.com or follow the journey via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.