Global Community Boards Application

Kilter Board and The Global Climbing Initiative have partnered to increase access to climbing around the globe.

Through the Global Community Boards program, we support locally led climbing initiatives through access to a Kilter Board as a long-term community resource. We believe climbing can strengthen communities by creating opportunities for youth leadership, movement education, mentorship, cultural connection, and access to outdoor climbing.

For the 2026 cycle, we are seeking applications from organizations led by Indigenous communities within the contiguous United States interested in developing or expanding youth climbing programming.

We recognize that every community has different goals, capacities, and relationships to climbing. We welcome applications ranging from established climbing programs to emerging initiatives with strong community leadership and a realistic plan for implementation.

To learn more, visit globalclimbing.org/global-community-boards

If you have questions, please contact globalcommunityboards@globalclimbing.org

This application will ask about:

• Your organization, community, and leadership
• Existing climbing involvement and experience
• Your vision for youth climbing programming
• Potential installation locations and partnerships
• How a Kilter Board would create meaningful community impact
• Your capacity to safely steward and sustain the project

We recognize that not all applicants will have formal climbing facilities, nonprofit status, or finalized installation details. We are primarily looking for thoughtful, community-rooted proposals with strong leadership, realistic planning, and meaningful long-term vision.

Please complete this application in the language most comfortable to you. We will translate responses as needed and all applications will be reviewed equally regardless of language.

Applications are due July 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (US Pacific Time).

By August 21, all applicants will receive an update. Applicants may either be invited to a follow-up conversation to discuss project alignment, feasibility, and partnership readiness, or notified that they were not selected to continue in this cycle. Please check your spam folder if you don't see an email from us by this date.

To begin, click "next"

 

 

Background photo by Clive Luwanja / Climb Malawi

First, we will ask you some questions to help determine if you are eligible to apply for this program.

We’re sorry, but you do not meet the eligibility requirements for this program.

In this cycle, only Indigenous-led initiatives and communities within the contiguous United States are eligible to apply. Non-Indigenous organizations are welcome to support applications as collaborators or technical partners, but Indigenous leadership and ownership of the project must remain central.

For more information, visit globalclimbing.org/global-community-boards

You may close this window. Clicking "next" will route you back to the beginning of the eligibility questions.

According to your answers, you are eligible to apply.

Please continue the application by clicking the "next" button.

Applications will be reviewed with consideration to:

• Indigenous leadership and community-rooted vision
• Potential for meaningful youth impact
• Feasibility of installation and long-term stewardship
• A commitment to ensuring the board is broadly and freely accessible to the community it is intended to serve (not a monetization opportunity)
• Existing climbing experience and safety capacity
• Strength of partnerships and community support
• Clear plans for how the board will be used regularly
• Potential to increase access and pathways into outdoor climbing
• Alignment with GCI’s values and theory of change

Because it is likely that only one board will be awarded during this cycle, we expect the selection process to be highly competitive.

It is very important that we hear your perspectives and plans in your own words and voice. As a result, we are unable to accept responses written by ChatGPT or other forms of artificial intelligence.

If writing in English feels difficult, we strongly encourage you to submit your application in your native language, and we will translate it.

Please include at least one link (website and/or social media). This helps us understand your organization and its work.

List the leaders, organizers, mentors, or advisors involved in this project. For each person, please include:

• Full name
• Role/title
• Indigenous community affiliation (optional)
• Gender identity
• Relevant experience related to climbing, youth work, education, community leadership, construction, or programming

Please make sure to include yourself.

If selected as a Global Community Boards partner, your organization/community agrees to:

• Collaborate with GCI and Kilter Board on logistics and communication
• Participate in planning conversations related to installation and safety
• Provide photos, stories, quotes, and updates documenting the project
• Follow safe climbing and equipment practices
• Uphold a code of conduct aligned with do-no-harm principles
• Recognize GCI and Kilter Board as supporters of the project
• Submit basic impact updates and deliverables

If selected, the board must remain broadly accessible to the community it is intended to serve. The board should not be monetized or have payment become a condition for access.

To submit your answers, please click the green "submit" button. Please note that answers cannot be revised after submission.