The Outdoor Foundation, charitable arm of Outdoor Industry Association, announced that more than 25 sponsors have signed up to support the 2017 Outsiders Ball, which will be held on Tuesday, July 25 – ‘Night 0’ of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market.

This critical funding will support local programs across the country that connect young people with meaningful outdoor experiences. Since its inception five years ago, Outsiders Ball has raised more than $1 million which has funded youth engagement programs across the country and engaged 400,000 young people in the outdoors– advancing the Outdoor Foundation’s mission of inspiring a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

Outsiders Ball has emerged as the ‘must attend’ event where, on one night, one thousand industry leaders join for one common cause: to support programs that connect a new generation of enthusiasts and consumers with the outdoors.

Sponsors of the 2017 event include:

  • Platinum: Embassy, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Retailer, REI, The North Face, UpVentur, Vasque, Wolverine Worldwide.
  • Gold: Chaco, CiClO, Merrell, Smartwool, Sperry, Thule, Wolverine Silver: DuPont Sorona, Jansport, Mountain Khakis, prAna, Stanley, Target, Vibram.
  • Bronze: Burton, Fidelitas Development, Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP, Roots Rated, Sustainable Down Source, Uinta Brewing, Union Wine Co.

“The Outdoor Foundation is thrilled to have the continued support of leading outdoor brands to address the industry’s most critical issue – inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts,” said Amy Roberts, executive director of Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Foundation board member. “We believe the health and wellness of young people, the future stewardship of our public lands, and the entire outdoor industry – depends on everyone coming together to mobilize a cultural shift that leads Americans to the great outdoors.”

Now in its fifth year, The Outdoor Foundation’s Outsiders Ball will bring together outdoor companies of every size and every sector, to invest in projects that connect new generations to the outdoors. The night blends party and purpose with the goal to unite the industry under our shared passion and commitment for passing along our love of the outdoors to the next generation. Outsiders Ball will set the tone of the show by knitting our industry together for this common cause, sharing some local food, great libations and a surprise musical guest at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Last summer’s event raised $200,000 to support community and campus projects across the country. “Each year, the proceeds of Outsiders Ball provide critical funding that allows us to invest in the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts through our Outdoor Nation and Parks4Kids programs, ” said Ivan Levin, deputy director of the Outdoor Foundation. This year’s Outsiders Ball will also serve as a fundraiser for Parks4Kids Utah. Proceeds from t-shirt sales at the ball will go directly to youth engagement programs in the state of Utah through the Outdoor Foundation’s Parks4Kids program.

Tickets for this year’s event are available at https://outsidersball.eventbrite.com. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Ryan Lauer at rlauer@outdoorfoundation.org for more information.