FAQs

The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity.

The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a community-driven nonprofit that supports nonprofits doing the essential work in making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for everyone. The broader co-op community supports the REI Fund through in-store donations, website and mail. Our founder, REI Co-op, supports the general operations, ensuring that100% of donations from the general public* are invested in grantees.

*excluding credit card transaction fees

100% of donations from the general public* support local, regional and national nonprofits that are working to create a more accessible and inclusive outdoors for everyone.

*excluding credit card transaction fees

REI Co-op founded the REI Fund to ensure that everyone can experience the health and well-being benefits of time outside. The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a separate legal entity from REI Co-op. REI Co-op supports both the operations and grantmaking of the REI Fund through cash and in-kind support.

Yes. We are grateful for the deep and meaningful support of our founder, REI Co-op. Since our founding, REI supports the total cost of our operating expenses and some of our grantmaking by donating $5 for every new member that joins REI Co-op. Thanks to the generosity of REI Co-op, 100% of donations from the general public* are invested in nonprofits doing the essential work in making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

*excluding credit card transaction fees

Thanks to the generosity of REI Co-op, 100% of donations from the general public* are distributed to organizations working to create a more accessible and inclusive outdoors for everyone.

*excluding credit card transaction fees

The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. If you have questions about deductibility, consult a tax advisor.

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When donating on REIfund.org, you will automatically be e-mailed an acknowledgment of your donation.

Donors may log into our self-service portal to make changes to their recurring donation at any time. Click here for access. For questions and further help, please contact giving@REIFund.org.

Yes. Please send USPS first class mail to the P.O. Box listed below:

REI Cooperative Action Fund
PO Box 511754
Los Angeles, CA 90051-1750

Please send other mail types including USPS Priority Mail or any other courier-type mailing method (i.e., FedEx, UPS, messenger) to the address listed below:

Conduent
BMO Lockbox 511754
606 S. Olive Street, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90014

If you would like to receive a donation confirmation, please send your name, mailing address and/or email address along with the check.

Yes. Please contact giving@REIFund.org with any questions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss personalized giving plans.

No. Donating REI member dividend or member rewards to the REI Cooperative Action Fund is not an option at this time.

Yes. Simply click on "in honor/memory of" when you make a gift online at www.reifund.org/donate. This opens beautiful e-card options where you can share a personalized note that is e-mailed to the recipient.

Please use our simple search tool during the donation process at www.reifund.org/donate to add your work email. This will determine if your gift is eligible to be matched by your employer – or ask your HR department how to request a matching gift. Your gift can go twice as far with workplace match programs – thank you for taking the time to double your impact.

Thank you for making a gift using this custom link so that we may thank our REI employees for making personal gifts.

No. Each quarter, REI Co-op transfers 100% of all donations made in stores to the REI Cooperative Action Fund. Credit card fees are not deducted from this cumulative amount.

The REI Fund has two grantmaking cycles annually: spring and fall.

The REI Fund carefully considers a number of factors when determining grantees, such as alignment with the Fund’s mission, grantmaking initiatives, our strategic areas of focus, geographic locations, organizational leadership, and more. Grantmaking decisions are informed in part by REI Fund staff and community advisors, as well as REI local store teams, other funders and nonprofits. Ultimately, all grantmaking decisions are approved by the REI Fund’s board of directors.

You can share nonprofits that align with the REI Fund’s mission and grantmaking initiatives through the “recommend a potential grantee” form here. (Note: This form is not an application. The REI Fund is unable to respond to recommendations submitted online.  These recommendations go into a larger pool for consideration and organizations are notified if selected for additional information.)

Currently, the REI Fund invites organizations to apply for funding that align with our mission, grant initiatives and criteria. If you would like to recommend a potential nonprofit for funding visit, go here.

Potential grantees are identified through our growing network that includes REI Fund staff and community advisors, nonprofits, REI store and fleet teams, other funders and recommendations from the co-op community through our “recommend a potential grantee” form here. (Note: This form is not an application, and the Fund is unable to respond to recommendations submitted online. These recommendations go into a larger pool for consideration and organizations are notified if selected for additional information.)

Eligibility for funding requires the following:

1. Grantees must substantially further our mission through one of our three grantmaking initiatives.
2. Grantees must have a current 501(c)(3) public charity status or have a fiscal sponsor that has a current 501(c)(3) public charity status.
3. Grantees must be based in the U.S. and serve U.S. communities.
4. Grantees must have a nondiscrimination policy in place and a track record of connecting historically excluded communities to the outdoors.

Note: The REI Fund does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, preschool -12th-grade schools or endowment campaigns. Not all eligible organizations will receive funding.

Yes

Yes, the REI Fund compensates community advisors for their valuable time and expertise.

Community advisors are selected for their expertise using a focused criteria based on our needs at the time. From nonprofit leaders to world-renowned researchers, our advisors’ collective wisdom enhances our ability to make impactful, mission-aligned grants