About the Fund

Our Belief

We believe that time outside is fundamental to the health and well-being of all people.

Our Vision

A world where everyone can experience the health and well-being benefits of nature.

Our Mission

To support nonprofits doing the essential work in making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

The REI Cooperative Action Fund Story

We believe that time outside and our connection to nature is fundamental for the social, economic, and individual health and well-being of all people.

But today, millions of Americans lack access to the outdoors, and many don’t feel a sense of safety or belonging outside. The REI Cooperative Action Fund exists to provide support for nonprofit organizations across the country doing the deep and essential work of enabling everyone to enjoy the health and well-being benefits of time spent outside. 

Whether connecting people outside, creating spaces outside or centering health outside, our grantmaking strategy – and our trust-based approach --allows us to meet the unique needs of communities across the country. We invite our fellow outdoor lovers to join us in creating a world without barriers to physical, mental and social benefits of nature.

We are all on Native land

The REI Cooperative Action Fund recognizes Indigenous people on whose ancestral lands we occupy. We honor Traditional Ecological Knowledge, resistance, and resiliency of these Indigenous communities. The Fund's offices are on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Duwamish Tribe the and Puyallup Tribe. We encourage you to uncover truths about Indigenous lands where you live and spend time outside; learn of settler colonialism, displacement, most importantly, remember Indigenous resilience.