Investing $125,000 in Equity in the Outdoors
Outdoor Equity Fund
MADE X MTNS has established a $125,000 Outdoor Equity Fund to empower community-led initiatives that address identified barriers to outdoor recreation access and opportunity, and help close these gaps in Western North Carolina.
This Fund will provide micro-grants to non-profits, for-profits, community groups and sole proprietors located in Western North Carolina focused on advancing equity and inclusion in the outdoors. The Fund will provide for professional development and skill-building programming, equipment, and/or infrastructure needed for community members to thrive outside. The Fund Application is developed and reviewed by the Outdoor Equity Working Group to ensure an equitable and trust-based process. The Fund Application opens April 17th, 2023 and is open through May 17th, 2023. A recorded info session will be shared the week of April 24th. Fund Application awards will be announced in June and July, 2023.
Photo Credits: Vivianette Ortiz – Latinos Aventureros en los Carolinas; Catalina Norena – FIND Outdoors
Why the Outdoor Equity Fund Was Created
The Outdoor Equity Fund was developed in order to ensure that populations that have not historically had equitable access to and/or invitations to participate in outdoor recreation – including BIPOC, Latine/x, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ populations – are supported and encouraged to benefit from time outdoors in WNC, and have the tools and connectivity to benefit from the outdoor economy.
The three pillars of the MADE X MTNS Partnership – Building Vibrant Outdoor Communities, Growing Outdoor Businesses, and Amplifying Outdoor Culture – are the foundations of a larger body of work: creating a flourishing economy that inherently incentivizes stewardship of our lands and waters as well as the health of our people.
area eligible for funding

meet the outdoor equity working group








