Together Outdoors, a program under the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, has awarded its Inclusive Micro-Grant Program funds to two new organizations, Color My Outdoors and Rising Routes.
The announcement was made alongside a webinar that featured discussions with industry leaders and philanthropists focused on equitable grant-making practices. Supported by Winnebago Industries, these initiatives aim to make outdoor spaces more accessible for underrepresented communities. Together Outdoors also plans to release a business learning guide, which will underscore the essential role of grant funding in advancing inclusion within the outdoor recreation sector.
Together Outdoors’ Inclusive Micro-Grant Program is designed to support small and rural grassroots organizations that play a crucial role in creating a welcoming outdoor environment for all. The program addresses the needs of small-scale organizations that often lack access to conventional funding sources.
During the recent webinar, experts examined the disparities in outdoor recreation grant funding and introduced innovative approaches to make grant-giving more inclusive. Together Outdoors shared its principles for trust-based grantmaking.
According to a press release, Ambreen Tariq, senior program director at Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and Coalition Lead at Together Outdoors, emphasized the need for equitable philanthropy in enhancing outdoor access.
“Philanthropy is a powerful mechanism to help more people access the outdoors, but there is more we must do to ensure smaller organizations that serve diverse and underrepresented communities aren’t being left behind because of onerous granting requirements,” Tariq said.
Winnebago Industries has been a key supporter of the Inclusive Micro-Grant Program. Jil Littlejohn Bostick, vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Inclusion at Winnebago, spoke on the program’s impact, stating, “I know firsthand how transformative it can be when organizations are empowered to break down barriers to help people enjoy the outdoors.”
The newest recipients of the Inclusive Micro-Grant Program, Color My Outdoors and Rising Routes, exemplify the mission of Together Outdoors by actively breaking down barriers to outdoor access. THOR Industries has also previously invested in this program.
