The 2014 Outsiders Ball raised nearly $300,000 and funded projects that
engaged more than 25,000 Americans across the United States in outdoor
activities, according to a report released March 18 by the Outdoor Foundation.
Eighty percent of participants were youth, and they spent a
collective 171,817 hours outdoors. Almost half of projects (49 percent)
activated campus communities and the other half (51 percent) focused on
community outreach.
The 2014 Outsiders Ball Impact Report provides other details about the 100 innovative outdoor projects that were supported thanks to the Outsiders Ball, the Outdoor Foundation’s annual fundraising event that rallies the outdoor industry around the growing divide between young people and nature. The event is held in Salt lake City on the eve of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.
“This impact report is evidence of the ongoing affect of the industry’s support through the Outdoor Foundation’s Outsiders Ball,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. “Thanks to sponsors, attendees, leaders and luminaries in the outdoor industry, the Outsiders Ball lives on throughout the year through the grassroots projects that connect thousands of Americans with meaningful outdoor experiences.”
The event, which was sponsored by the outdoor industry’s leading brands, hosted more than 1,000 partygoers. An even bigger crowd is expected at this year’s event, which will take place on August 5, 2015 at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Foundation is now looking for Sponsors for the 2015 Ball. To learn more and get involved, contact the Outdoor Foundation.
The Outdoor Foundation is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor leaders and enthusiasts. Through groundbreaking research, youth engagement and community grant-making, the Foundation works with young leaders and partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. In just five years, the Foundation has invested $4 million into 500 not-for-profit and college programs that have connected 200,00 young people to the outdoors. Importantly, 90¢ of every dollar goes directly into this critical work. Visit us at OutdoorFoundation.org.
