The treetop view of early autumn yellow and green leaves.

Creating space outside

Increasing equitable access to outdoor spaces and recreation opportunities (parks, trails, open space, waterways). Prioritizing community-led and natural climate solutions that bring nature’s individual and environmental benefits closer to home for marginalized communities.

Explore our current grantees

New grantee partners are announced each spring and fall.

All grants shown below are a minimum of $50,000.

A group of four people wearing baseball caps look over a map of Herman Gulch, flanked by rocky hills.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Walkers, runners and cyclist share space on boardwalks built to protect the East Coast Greenway.
East Coast Greenway Alliance
A group of smiling Black people surrounding a large boulder while wearing bright green Friends of Anacostia shirts.
Friends of Anacostia Park
A group of friends and their bikes pause for a photo under the City of Chicago Big Marsh Park sign.
Friends of Big Marsh
A group of children walk the Los Angeles River to help clean up debris.
Friends of the Los Angeles River
A group of people in mittens and cozy jackets watch as a dragon puppet dances during Chinese New Year.
Friends of the Rail Park
Standing on a boardwalk, with cameras and binoculars, a group ov visitors admire protected river wetlands.
Great River Passage Conservancy in support of East Side River District Project
Three people in short sleeves hiking a trail surrounded by cacti in front of a majestic New Mexico mountainside.
Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project
Against a backdrop of blue water and Navy vessels, two young bikers cruise the terrain of a sunny Bay area boardwalk,
San Francisco Parks Alliance in support of the Blue Greenway project
A large group of diverse people kayaking down the South River in the Upper Ocmulgee Basin.
South River Watershed Alliance
A diverse group of twelve people wearing swimsuits and swim shorts while sitting in boats with paddles in hand along the Tennessee RiverLine
Tennessee RiverLine
Against a backdrop of the Washington Monument in the distance and framed by Capital Trails Coaltion signs, a Navy officer stands at a podium an addresses listeners.
Washington Area Bicyclist Association in support of the Capital Trails Coalition

We also support organizations in these categories

One hand grasps another's against the richly textured bark of a pine tree.
Connecting People Outside
A youngster practices their handstand in a city park.
Centering Health Outside

Time outside is a human right

Now is the time to deliver on that right. For everyone.

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Share your love of the outdoors

Help us during our donor challenge to raise $200,000 by Dec 31.

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The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a 501(c)(3) public charity. 100% of donations from the general public are invested in grantees. Donations are tax deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Learn more in our FAQs.