The North Face Covid-19 Explore Fund pledges €1 million to support outdoor communities

For more than 50 years The North Face has dared to lead the world forward through exploration, and now more than ever, recognises the critical importance of helping and supporting the global outdoor community in this time of need.

Today, The North Face has proudly opened the application process for the COVID-19 Explore Fund, the first fund of its kind to provide critical financial support to anyone who makes exploration possible, from the mountain guides to climbing coaches, from Urban climbing gyms, to Ski schools. Exploration matters.

Open to registered companies and charities in the UK, Germany, France and Italy, the fund aims to ensure those who have worked to foster and inspire exploration before, will be able to do so once again, when the time comes.

The announcement is part of the brand’s on-going response to the crisis, which has also seen The North Face athlete team members provide free home workouts for people to stay fit and weekly film premieres online to keep everyone inspired whilst inside.

"These are unprecedented times for everyone, including so many organisations and individuals that contribute to the global outdoor community," said Jan Van Leeuwen, GM, The North Face EMEA. "We’re incredibly fortunate to be part of such a strong and resilient industry and we’re proud to launch this fund to ensure those that make exploration possible today will be able to do so tomorrow. We wanted to say Thank you and give back to our outdoor family."

The brand will work closely with national and local outdoor officials to allocate funds appropriately and support recovery throughout the crisis. The window for applications will remain open until May 22nd and for further details on how to apply please visit: www.thenorthface.co.uk/en_gb/about-us/explore-fund.html

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICATIONS
If you’re a regisitered company or charity in the UK, France, Italy or Germany and match one of the below criteria, then we would love to hear from you.

APPLICATION DATES
The North Face Covid-19 Explore Fund is open until May 22nd 2020.

CRITERIA
- Conservation groups and organisations
- Outdoor charities
- Outdoor industry associations
- Organizations or companies involved in the following sports/ activities:​ camping, environmental education, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, indoor rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, trail running, alpinism