Rocky Talkie Opens 2026 Search & Rescue Award with $150,000 in Grant Funding

March 5, 2026

Seventh annual program provides direct funding to volunteer SAR teams across the U.S. and Canada

DENVER, CO /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Rocky Talkie has opened applications for its 2026 Search & Rescue (SAR) Award, committing $150,000 in grant funding to volunteer search and rescue teams across the United States and Canada.

Now in its seventh year, the SAR Award provides direct financial support to nonprofit, volunteer-led teams that respond to emergencies in the backcountry. The program is funded in part through Rocky Talkie’s pledge to donate $2 from every radio sold to search and rescue teams.

Since launching the program, Rocky Talkie has donated $260,000 to 27 volunteer SAR teams. Funding has gone toward technical rescue equipment, avalanche and medical training, communication tools, rope systems, rigging gear, and other operational needs identified by the teams themselves.

“Rocky Talkie was born from our love of the outdoors. As members of that community, we have made it part of our mission to give back to the volunteer teams that keep us safe and raise awareness about the chronic underfunding of an absolutely essential service for the outdoor community,” said co-founder Alex Page.

The program is made possible in part through partnerships with the Mountain Rescue Association (MRA), the American Alpine Club (AAC), and the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR).

Rocky Talkie builds radios designed for backcountry use — reliable, rugged, and straightforward to operate. The radios are designed and tested in the Colorado Rockies and used by guides, patrollers, climbers, and outdoor professionals.

Volunteer SAR teams in the United States and Canada can apply during the open submission window: March 1–31, 2026. Full program details and application information are available at https://rockytalkie.com/pages/sar-awards

About Rocky Talkie

Founded in 2019, Rocky Talkie is guided by a simple mission: provide the best communication solution for outdoor pursuits. Designed and rigorously tested in the Colorado Rockies, Rocky Talkie radios are intuitive to use, rugged, lightweight and trusted by outdoor professionals and enthusiasts alike. In its commitment to adventure, Rocky Talkie pledges $2 from each radio sold to outdoor safety programs. Learn more at http://www.rockytalkie.com