The Hilaree Nelson Fund
We are pleased to announce the recipients of grants from the Hilaree Nelson Fund. There
are so many fantastic non-profits doing work to elevate women in the outdoors and to
fight climate change. We applaud their efforts.
Below are the organizations we chose to support.
elevateHER
Grant awarded to fund the empowerHER program - specifically, their winter skiing and climbing programs.
We believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to feel a sense of connectedness to our community while developing skills to become a successful, resilient, adult and enter the workforce with the skills, experience and confidence to be a leader amongst her peers.
We have a shared goal to bring greater gender equity to the ski industry as well as introduce more women to winter sports. We take great pride in introducing young women to skiing and snowboarding where they not only learn how to ski and snowboard but are exposed to the different possible careers that the ski industry has such as guiding, ski patrolling, and instructing.
For more information:
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American Institute for Avalanche Research
Grant awarded to fund the Women’s Mentorship Program.
We can’t change the face of our industry without adequate representation. Women make up a disproportionately small number of avalanche educators in the U.S., and many women in the field find it difficult to grow and sustain their careers. The financial, sociological, and other barriers faced by everyone in the industry are often exacerbated for women and even further amplified for women who hold historically marginalized identities.
Three years ago AIARE launched the Women’s Mentorship Program, aimed at supporting women in developing professional skills and create a network of women in their region, and across the U.S. to help support one another achieve their goals of becoming a snow professional.
For more information:
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American Alpine Club
Grant awarded to fund their “Send it to the Polls” campaign.
The AAC believes that the November 2024 election will be a critical moment in the fight against the climate crisis. With a membership base of more than 26,000 climbers, many of whom are enthusiastic about protecting access to outdoor spaces and addressing the effects of climate change on alpine environments, the AAC is uniquely positioned to educate and mobilize the climbing community in support of candidates who will protect the outdoor spaces we love.
Hilaree was widely recognized as one of the world’s best athletes and a leading advocate for addressing the climate crisis. As a dedicated member of the American Alpine Club’s Board, Hilaree championed the club as a tool for civic engagement. We hope that by mobilizing the climbing community to elect candidates committed to combating climate change, we are able to honor her legacy at the club and her commitment to this important cause.
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Inclusive Ski Touring
Grant awarded to fund their women’s and non-binary specific programs.
IST’s mission is to develop an inclusive uphill community through organized group programs. In line with this mission, our Women’s Program offers a variety of on-snow group tours which continues to be one of our most successful. The high demand by women and non-binary people is proof of the need for safe, supportive, introductory spaces for women in the outdoors.
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Women of Winter, Inc.
Grant awarded to fund scholarships for AVY 1 Safety Certification.
Women of Winter’s flagship program provides 2-4 day educational opportunities for Black, indigenous Women of Color (BIWOC) and LGBTQ+ individuals, to increase the diversity and representation of the Snowsports industry while eliminating barriers and creating a safe space to succeed. We select only scholarship recipients who are focused on paying it forward on and off the snow, in diversifying the Outdoor Sports Industry.
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San Juan Mountain Soles
Grant awarded to fund scholarships and group gear investments for the winter ski trip with a focus on avalanche education and safety.
The mission of SOLES is “Inspiring female high school youth to lead healthy lives rooted in wild places, confident leadership, and authentic community engagement.” SOLES believes that a strong sense of self-worth and belonging is essential in fostering mental well-being and agency to bring about positive social and environmental change.
We are both on a mission to grow healthy female leaders who care for our environment for generations to come.
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Women In The Tetons
Grant awarded to fund scholarships for Avalanche I and II courses.
Women in the Tetons mission is to empower all women to seek adventure in the mountains. WITT provides a safe and inclusive environment that enables women of all ages and abilities to push their personal limits, gain confidence, and benefit from the camaraderie of other like-minded women. Avalanche certifications have been listed by our community as the best ways we can help women feel confident and ready to tackle new challenges.
For more information:
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