AAC Cornerstone Grant

GOLDEN, CO—The American Alpine Club is now accepting applications for the new Cornerstone Conservation Grant. The program provides $25,000 to individuals and communities that need essential infrastructure to improve, conserve, and protect their climbing resources for years to come.

The Cornerstone Conservation Grant has grown out of a decade of American Alpine Club underwriting and volunteerism. The AAC has established new trails and human-waste management policies at Utah’s Castleton Tower and Indian Creek climbing areas, Grand Teton National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park’s Lumpy Ridge, and Alaska’s Denali National Park.

This year, $25,000 will go toward multiple local projects that can include, but are not limited to: fixed anchor improvement, new trails, human-waste management solutions, parking and signage. As part of the infrastructure, funds may also be used to teach crag conservation and sustainability techniques. Applicants may be individual climbers on behalf of a local climbing organization, regional club, public agency, AAC Section, climbing group, or not-for-profit (501 (C)(3)) organization. Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the size and scope of project.

The most successful proposals will have substantial support from their local climbing community, show use of best practices, demonstrate a sustainability plan, and have measurable and achievable goals. Projects require a landowner partner and must show completion within 18 months. This grant does not fund expedition travel, project overhead, salaries, land purchase, general maintenance, or research. Only projects in the United States will be considered. All proposals must be endorsed by a local AAC Section.

Proposals must be submitted by August 15, 2011. Applicants will be advised on or before September 15, 2011. Submission instructions are available at: http://www.americanalpineclub.org/cornerstone

About the AAC:
The American Alpine Club is a 501-c(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting American endeavors in mountain environments around the world. The AAC supports alpinists, rock climbers, ice climbers, boulderers, and mountaineers who are passionate about climbing, its community, its history, and conservation of the places we climb. Together, through this collective passion and the AAC's programs, we inspire, create, partner, steward, and unite to have a stronger voice and lasting impact for future generations of climbers.