The American Alpine Club's Cornerstone Conservation Grant funds essential infrastructure at climbing areas. Individuals or communities that see a need for local infrastructure can propose projects that will improve, conserve, and protect their climbing resources for years to come.

This year, $25,000 in grants will go toward local projects. Previously, the Club has funded projects like:

• Fixed anchor improvement
• New trails
• Human waste management solutions
• Parking
• Signage

Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the size and scope of project.

The AAC Cornerstone Conservation Grant does not fund expedition travel, project overhead, salaries, land purchase, general maintenance, or research.

The Cornerstone Conservation Grant has grown out of a decade of American Alpine Club underwriting and volunteerism. Past AAC projects include new trails and human-waste management policies at Utah’s Castleton Tower and Indian Creek climbing areas, a new human-waste management system in Grand Teton National Park, new trails and waste-management systems in Rocky Mountain National Park’s Lumpy Ridge climbing area, and the Clean Mountain Can program on Denali.

Read more information on the Cornerstone Grant in this .PDF: AAC-Cornerstone-Grant-Info.pdf

How To Apply

The AAC is accepting applications now through August 15.  Applicants will be advised on or before September 15, 2012. Submission instructions are contained within the application document attached to this page.