North Face announced the final winners of the 2015 Explore Fund $500,000 grants program funding 47 organizations throughout the U.S. The North Face Explore Fund chose projects that use outdoor exploration as the catalyst for positive, personal or societal change, provide experiences that nurture an appreciation of the outdoors or encourage participants to try new outdoor activities that allow outdoor exploration and adventure.
“We reviewed nearly 500 applications for Explore Fund grants this year and each of them were unique and powerful,” said Ann Krcik, senior director of Outdoor Exploration at The North Face. “The North Face employees and athletes reviewed top applications and final selections were extremely competitive. We were really humbled by all the incredible work inspiring the next generation of outdoor explorers.”
As part of its mission to start a global movement of Outdoor Exploration, The North Face introduced the Explore Fund (www.explorefund.org) in 2010 and the program has since provided more than $1.5 million in U.S. grants to more than 300 non-profit organizations committed to inspiring the next generation of outdoor explorers and conservationists.
One of the recipients for 2015 was Latino Outdoors, an organization focused on supporting outdoor leadership capacity-building opportunities for youth and young adults and connecting Latino communities and the outdoors.
“Our organization is in a stage of rapid growth and the grant comes at a momentous time fortifying our commitment to inspire and enable the next generation of outdoor explorers,” said Graciela Cabello, national director of Latino Outdoors. “We feel humbled and commend The North Face Explore Fund for recognizing the strong need for such efforts in the Latino community, and plan to implement a statewide program that strengthens our leadership capacity, as well as our ability to lead more excursions.”