Grants for Everyday People
In a new program, the American Alpine Club gave away 41 “Live Your Dream” grants of $100 to $800 (total $14,000). This grant system, supported by the Clifton Maloney Memorial Fund, is intended for normal, moderate or emerging climbers and dreamers.
Unlock this article and more benefits with 40% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
40% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $2.99/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
Maura LaRiviere pushed for eight hours, but Prodigal Sun (5.8, C2) fended her off. She got a grant to return to Zion, to try it and three other walls, with her friend Stephanie Jim, who would be aid climbing for the first time. Vitaliy Musiyenko and Bryan Bell went to the Bugaboos to climb, among other things, the Beckey-Chouinard (V 5.10) on South Howser Tower, also with a grant. Ryan Huetter, having climbed walls in Yosemite and peaks in the Paine, wanted to add steep ice to his experience; hence, a trip to the Icefield Parkway and Banff.
These people got grants? These people got grants.
In a new program founded only last year, the American Alpine Club gave away 41 “Live Your Dream” grants of $100 to $800 (total $14,000). While the AAC has a robust program for funding cutting-edge climbing, this is different. This grant system, supported by the Clifton Maloney Memorial Fund, is intended for normal, moderate or emerging climbers and dreamers. The grants are for learning or bolstering skills, for travel and adventure or experience in any genre of the sport, from bouldering to mountaineering, even ski mountaineering.
John Chipouras and Kevin Ziechmann had climbed a lot, but almost never outside of the Southeast; they went to Smith Rocks to sport climb. Two women went to Little Switzerland in the Alaska Range to increase their skill set; two Marines got to climb the Grand Traverse in the Tetons before they were deployed.
Have we convinced you? Deadline for this year’s grants is March 1. There’s still time.
Live Your Dream: Smith Rock, OR from kevin ziechmann on Vimeo.