About the Fund

Our Mission

The REI Cooperative Action Fund directly supports organizations promoting justice, equity and belonging in the outdoors to strengthen the health and well-being of people and communities.

The REI Cooperative Action Fund Story

We believe that time outside and our connection to nature is fundamental for the social, cultural, economic, and individual health and well-being of all people. But today, millions of Americans lack access to nature and thriving outdoor spaces. In addition to this, many people do not feel a sense of safety or belonging in the outdoors. These issues stem from legacies and systems of inequity, injustice and racism.

That's why REI Co-op created the REI Cooperative Action Fund in 2021, a community-supported public charity directly supporting the organizations and initiatives making change in the nation's outdoor culture. We are inviting our fellow outdoor lovers to join us in accelerating this important work.

There is no simple or singular solution to these challenges. It takes community-wide action to ensure all people have their right to the outdoors honored and protected. To catalyze this work, the REI Cooperative Action Fund will intentionally focus on historically excluded groups. It is these very groups who are leading the way in addressing barriers and creating newfound opportunities to evoke joy, well-being and belonging outside, resulting in improved health and well-being for people, communities and our planet.  

Recognizing REI Co-op's deep-rooted partnerships in communities across the country, and decades of philanthropic experience, we launched the Fund so that everyone can contribute to the organizations, local leaders, movement makers, and initiatives paving the way in building more just, accessible and inclusive outdoors spaces and places for all.

We are all on Native land

The REI Cooperative Action Fund recognizes Indigenous people on whose ancestral lands we occupy. We honor Traditional Ecological Knowledge, resistance, and resiliency of these Indigenous communities. The Fund's offices are on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Duwamish Tribe the and Puyallup Tribe. We encourage you to uncover truths about Indigenous lands where you live and spend time outside; learn of settler colonialism, displacement, most importantly, remember Indigenous resilience.