The Outdoor Foundation has awarded grants to 17 projects from a pool of 159 applications in its latest round of its Paddle Nation Grant Program, which seeks to connect young people to their rivers, streams, lakes and oceans.


The Outdoor Foundation’s signature program, Outdoor Nation, joins with top paddle-sport manufacturers, retailers and stakeholders, Outdoor Retailer and the National Park Service to award $40,000 to the best, most effective, projects that introduce paddling to a new generation. This year's list of grant winners includes community based projects across the United States.

Unique in the outdoor industry, the Paddle Nation Grant Program was launched in 2012 with financial support and leadership from Outdoor Retailer and many companies in the paddle-sport industry including Confluence Outdoor, Johnson Outdoors, Rutabaga Paddlesports, OARS, BIC Sports, Glenbrook, Advanced Elements, River Sport Outfitters and ACK. Leveraging this industry support, the National Park Service joined as a major funder in 2013, significantly expanding the grant program. 


Since its inception, the partners have awarded more than $125,000 in support of 55 innovative projects. The program is on track to engage more than 8,000 people in paddle sport activities – resulting in more than 25,000 hours spent on the water – by the end of 2014.


“This program is a testament to the leadership and support of the paddle-sport industry,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, the organization that started Outdoor Nation. “Thanks to the generosity of Outdoor Retailer and the National Park Service, thousands of young people across the country will explore rivers, lakes and streams through a variety of activities – resulting in a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and environmental stewards.”