Applications for the 2024 Explore Fund are now closed.
Exploration has the power to change lives and connect communities. When we search out new experiences, overcome obstacles and connect with each other, we change ourselves. The Explore Fund is how we’ve put this idea to work—by removing barriers so everyone can get outside.
Together with our partner community, we’ve activated what it means to explore—for people and for culture.
The North Face Explore Fund
Advocacy and community partnerships are a core part of our brand’s 57-year history. In 2010, we formalised the outdoor industry’s first grant-making program focused on increasing outdoor participation, expanding to Canada in 2012, Europe in 2018 and the Asia-Pacific region in 2021. In 2022, we launched the Explore Fund in Australia and New Zealand.
In its first year, the Explore Fund helped to create access and drive equity in the outdoors by funding organisations around two themes: creating a community of new explorers and protecting the environment. We’re excited to continue this work in 2024.
2024 Explore Fund Council
Scholars. Conservationists.
Social Activists. Outdoor leaders. Athletes.
Grant selection is guided by each year's Explore Fund Council members. The Explore Fund Council has developed a toolkit of seven practices that guided their work, including a set of questions and actions that can help cultivate a broader idea of exploration for everyone.
Marian Krogh
Skier. Adventurer. Environmentalist.
Phoebe Mcllwraith
Bundjalung and Worimi. Writer. Digital Content Creator.
Duncan Brown
Climber. Adventurer. Coach. Community Organiser.
Chagi Weerasena
Conservationist. Writer. Nature lover.
2024 Explore Fund
Meet the new Explore Fund grantees.
Mappa
Mappa is a community founded on a love for the outdoors and a desire to learn. Exploring the intersection of outdoor recreation and outdoor education, Mappa works in partnership with field experts to deliver a program of experiences and workshops designed to foster stronger connections between people and place.
The Explore Fund grant awarded to Mappa will support upcoming educational workshops around climbing and geology, and stargazing and astronomy.
Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association
The Tasmanian Wilderness Guides Association formed in 2019 to provide a united voice for Tasmania’s outdoor guiding community. Its mission is to advocate on behalf of its members in relation to its employment, careers and working conditions, have a say in shaping a sustainable tourism industry in Tasmania, and help cultivate and celebrate Tasmania’s unique guiding culture.
The Explore Fund grant awarded to TWGA will support a cultural awareness trip, hosting young pakana/palawa people with an interest in the tourism industry on a 9-day trek of the South Coast Track.
Their aim is to build a community of wilderness guides, in alliance with the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, and share knowledge about caring for country.
Mastering Mountains
Mastering Mountains supports people in New Zealand living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) who wish to embark on a journey toward a self-directed outdoor adventure.
They assist successful applicants by paying for specialist rehabilitation training, providing mentoring services, and giving them the gear they need to achieve their goals and secure long-term access in the outdoors. Most of all, Mastering Mountains aims to facilitate an experience of hope, connection and positive, life-long change.
The Explore Fund grant awarded to Mastering Mountains will support three people living with a neurological disorder to achieve an outdoor goal, and connect with this invaluable mentorship group in New Zealand.