MEC
Camper holding tent poles with people setting up a tent behind, Pride flag colours below, and words Outdoor Impact

Community support

To help kickstart adventures big and small, we’re stoked to announce community grants and funding as part of MEC Outdoor Impact. MEC has a deep history of supporting up-and-coming outdoor groups and initiatives, and that’s something we want to keep going. Through these grants, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to access and creating more inclusive spaces outdoors.

Stay tuned to find out about more grants and opportunities. To start things off, we’re excited to announce a new annual grant called Queer Gear Kits.

Queer Gear Kits

Pride is so much more than a month or a flag. MEC wants to increase equity in the outdoors, so we’re launching new grants to support LGBTQ2S+ community groups getting more folks outside.

We’ll select four community groups as recipients of our inaugural Queer Gear Kits. We plan to offer this grant on an annual basis.

What’s in the Queer Gear Kit?

  • $1,000 grant to put toward outdoor activities for your community group
  • Epic camp set-up for your crew: (2) MEC 4-person tents, (8) MEC sleeping bags, (8) MEC sleeping pads, (1) double-burner camp stove, a first aid kit, and more!
  • Pride outside gear from MEC

This grant is available for organizations with the following criteria:

  • LGBTQ2S+ led or serving organizations working to support diversity in the outdoors
  • Organizations that support programs to remove barriers for LGBTQ2S+ communities to get active outdoors
  • Non-profit, charities and community groups are eligible (registered non-profit status not required)

This grant does not support:

  • Governmental organizations, including organizations that receive core funding from the government
  • In-classroom curriculum programs (excludes after-school programs, clubs, or third-party programs)
  • Projects outside of Canada

If you’re part of a community group that might be interested, spread the word! We’d love to help support your next adventure through this grant. We can’t wait to see what you have planned.

Applications are now closed. Thanks!

Final decisions on grant applications will be made by July 21, 2022.