The Outdoor Foundation has joined with retail members of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance to award more than $50,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations that get people outdoors. The grants will also serve to strengthen retailers’ relationships with their communities helping to drive outdoor business as well as participation.
“We’re thrilled to work with Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and its members to inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and customers,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of The Outdoor Foundation, a no-profit arm of Outdoor Industry Association focused on inspiring future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. “Outdoor retailers are the anchors of our industry. By providing them with a connection point to communities of young outdoor enthusiasts, we hope to strengthen their consumer base as well as the overall health of our country and industry.”
The announcement follows a successful collaboration at Outsiders Ball, a new fundraising event launched by the Foundation earlier this year. The event, which was held in Salt Lake City on the eve of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market, raised more than $375,000 to support community projects as well as Outdoor Nation, the Foundation’s signature youth outreach program.
At a live auction at this year’s inaugural Outsiders Ball, five Grassroots retail members were able to raise thousands of dollars for non-profit partners dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor leaders in their markets.
“Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and The Outdoor Foundation are passionate about giving back to local communities while inspiring and motivating youth to get outside and enjoy the outdoors,” said Roanne Miller, president of Grassroots. “The grant program that The Outdoor Nation offered to our retail membership was fantastic and greatly appreciated. The grants will provide very real and measureable benefits to so many kids in local communities that will make a real difference in their lives. We look forward to working to partnering with The Outdoor Nation on any future programs.”
“Grassroots Outdoor Alliance and The Outdoor Foundation are passionate about giving back to local communities while inspiring and motivating youth to get outside and enjoy the outdoors,” said Roanne Miller, president of Grassroots. “The grant program that The Outdoor Nation offered to our retail membership was fantastic and greatly appreciated. The grants will provide very real and measureable benefits to so many kids in local communities that will make a real difference in their lives. We look forward to working to partnering with The Outdoor Nation on any future programs.”
The Outdoor Foundation’s Outsiders Ball will continue as an annual fundraising event on the eve of each Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. For more information on how you can get involved in the work of The Outdoor Foundation or sponsor the next Outsiders Ball, contact Chris Fanning at cfanning@outdoorfoundation.org. To see videos from the event, check out the Outsiders Ball YouTube Channel.
The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through groundbreaking research, action oriented outreach, and education programs, the Foundation works with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. In 2010, the Foundation launched Outdoor Nation, a pioneering initiative that aims to empower young leaders to champion the outdoors on campuses and in communities across the United States.
Grassroots Outdoor Alliance has 45 members with nearly 100 retail locations across the United States. Grassroots unites independent outdoor retailers as a strong voice to protect and promote the experience of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States.
