Access Fund Affiliation

United we are stronger. That's why Access Fund maintains deep partnerships with local climbing organizations across the country.

Photo © Brian Poon

What Does Affiliation with Access Fund Mean? 

Affiliated local climbing organizations are Access Fund's point of contact for local conservation and stewardship projects. These are formalized groups of volunteers and staff that care for a specific set of climbing areas. Access Fund does most of its work through LCOs and needs dependable boots on the ground to protect America's climbing. Affiliated LCOs have been vetted by Access Fund staff and meet specific criteria that formalizes them as an organization.

The affiliate network includes 120+ local climbing organizations who strengthen advocacy efforts nationwide and increase access opportunities for local communities. 

Benefits to Affiliated LCOs: 

  • Expert Advice: Reach out to our team for support in nonprofit development, stewardship, land acquisitions, land manager relationships, and more. Meet them here. 

  • Resources: Access the Climbing Advocacy Resource Center, your one stop shop full of content ranging from running an LCO to managing climbing resources. Request full access here.

  • Survey Results: Access Fund routinely surveys the climbing community as well as the LCO network. We'll compile these results and send them to LCOs so you can stay updated on on the community's priorities.

  • Fundraising: Your LCO has the opportunity to participate in joint membership where donors can join Access Fund and their LCO of choice with a single membership. More info here.  If your LCO is interested in joint membership, reach out to localsupport@accessfund.org to start onboarding.

  • Marketing: You've got national visibility and promotion through Access Fund channels and on our website to rally more support and volunteers.
  • Network: Keep an eye out for invitations to participate in regional LCO calls to meet your neighboring organizations and brainstorm access solutions. These typically happen in the spring and fall.

  • Exclusive Updates: Your board was added to the affiliate LCO email list to receive breaking updates on advocacy and LCO training events. Make sure to keep us updated on board changes so we can keep this list up to date.

Requirements of Affiliated LCOs: 

These requirements encourage LCOs to adopt nonprofit and conservation best practices. 

  • LCO's mission must further the cause of climbing advocacy, conservation, and stewardship on the local level. 

  • All board members are current Access Fund members. 
  • Display Access Fund's logo on your LCO's website to show our partnership.
  • Maintain a full board of directors that's compliant with state and federal guidelines.  

  • Plan and execute at least 1 Adopt a Crag every year. 
  • Participate in Access Fund surveys and requests for LCO information. 

  • Promote Access Fund during campaigns, program updates, and other critical call-to-actions to the climbing community. 

Have questions about your LCO's affiliation?
Contact us here: