The Vista Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic partner of Vista Outdoor Inc., announced 12 non-profit organizations selected by its board of directors to receive grants as part of the foundation’s second annual grant cycle. The 12 organizations include nine that were previously funded in the first cycle and three that are new for the fiscal year 2023. They represent a cross-section of organizations that promote conservation, support youth and veteran participation in outdoor sports, and advocate for increased diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.
The non-profit partners for FY2023 are (*new for FY23):
Warriors & Quiet Waters*
Warriors & Quiet Waters guides post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones to thrive and find peace, meaning, and purpose through fly fishing and other inspirational activities in nature.
First Tee*
First Tee is a youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges.
Eco Defense Group*
Eco Defense Group consults with, trains and enables wildlife rangers in national and regional parks to identify and stop the poaching threat before an animal is killed.
International Mountain Bicycling Association
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is the worldwide leader in mountain bike advocacy, and the only organization in the U.S. focused entirely on trails and access.
Little Bellas: Mentoring on Mountain Bikes
Little Bellas creates opportunities for girls to experience success using mountain biking as the platform and pathway to personal growth.
National Ability Center
The National Ability Center empowers individuals of all abilities by building self-esteem, confidence and lifetime skills through sports, recreation and educational programs.
National Forest Foundation
Chartered by Congress, the National Forest Foundation was created with a simple mission: bring people together to restore and enhance our National Forests and Grasslands.
Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation
The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation teaches outdoor education and promotes and funds the conservation of wildlife worldwide.
Pedal Power MN
Pedal Power has created a model for 4th and 5th-grade classes to go out for weekly rides with their teachers, to use bikes instead of buses, and to ride year-round with an after-school group to locations all over Minneapolis.
Protect Our Winters
Protect Our Winters helps passionate outdoor people protect the places and lifestyles they love from climate change.
Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc
Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation provides shooting sports education and opportunities to school-age youths to encourage young athletes’ personal growth and development.
Youth Seen
Youth Seen fosters and empowers the social and emotional well-being of LGBTQI youth and their families, including through outdoor experiences at Camp Youth Seen, its annual Summer camp in the Rocky Mountains.
“The Vista Outdoor Foundation made major progress in our first year, and we’re pleased to continue the momentum in the second year with the addition of three new partners,” said Chris Metz, CEO of Vista Outdoor Inc. “For the second year in a row, the organizations selected for grants are leading the way in promoting conservation and encouraging more people to get outside. Their missions align with our own, and we’re proud to count all 12 groups as our partners in these efforts.”
The Foundation received numerous funding requests as part of the grant process. Organizations receiving grants were selected after a rigorous review of grant applications by the Foundation’s Board of Directors based on operational, geographic and mission criteria.
