The Carabiner Collective + Trailblazer Grants

The Carabiner Collective’s Trailblazer Grants Are On a Mission To Build a Stronger, More Diverse Outdoor Community Where Everyone Feels Welcome 

Announcing the launch of The Carabiner Collective, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, created by adventure lovers who’ve all experienced the transformational power of adventure travel and the outdoors firsthand, and want to share its power with others. The Carabiner Collective is a sister nonprofit to ATTA member, WHOA travel. Through grant partnerships with other socially minded travel companies and brands, the Collective provides life changing adventure experiences in the great outdoors.

Through the Collective’s Trailblazer Grant Program their aim is to bring more diversity, representation, and gender equality to the outdoor space by making adventure travel and the outdoors a more approachable, affordable, and welcoming space for everyone. 

There are three distinct Trailblazer Grant programs, each with a special focus:

• The Dada Grant Gives Tanzanian and Kenyan sisters (Dada in Swahili) the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro. The goal is to inspire future generations of women to step out of their comfort zones and take on adventure experiences while shifting perceptions.
• The Rise Grant Makes life changing adventures and treks more accessible by removing financial barriers. The goal is to help bring more diversity and representation to the great outdoors.
• The Líder Grant (application coming soon!) Provides invaluable experiences, education, and opportunities to female guides and women working in tourism in their home countries. The goal is to break down stereotypes and bring more gender equality to adventure travel.

The first Trailblazer Rise Grant of 2023 is sponsored by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company + WHOA travel and provides a weekend of adventure at Camp WHOA in New York’s Adirondacks from May 18-21. Applications are open! 

At the Carabiner Collective, the founding team have all experienced the power and positive effects adventure experiences can have on their life. Whether it was on the summit of Kilimanjaro or the trails they grew up on, it was in the great outdoors where they discovered their true potential and “happy place.” Adventure has dramatically changed their lives, and that’s why they want to share its power with as many others as possible.

And from the team at the Carabiner Collective, here is what they had to say about starting the Collective, “Is it too lofty to think that we can change the world one adventure at a time? We don’t think so. We see a world where our differences are valued and celebrated, and, if hiking has taught us anything, it’s that small steps in the right direction always lead us to our goal. And there’s one thing we know for sure. Adventure changes people, and people change the world.”

If you are interested in partnering with the Carabiner Collective to provide adventure grants or adventure experiences, the team would love to connect. You can reach them at: [email protected]