MEC remains dedicated to advancing equity in the outdoors and opens applications for the 2023 Queer Gear Kits Grant
Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) announced the opening of its 2023 grant applications for its Queer Gear Kits Grants, designed to empower and uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ community groups and foster inclusivity by encouraging folks to get outside. The grant program launched in 2022 and had over 64 applicants.
“Recreating outdoors can be intimidating, exclusive and cost prohibitive, whether it be due to safety, gear requirements or perceived experience level,” said Nicola Nemy, Colleen Wilson and Jessie Dale from The Monthly Cycle, one of last year’s Queer Gear Kits recipients. “Ironically, it’s some of these systemic barriers that make the act of going outside all the more important to the wellness of different groups!”
MEC is pleased to announce that the following organizations were selected to receive the 2022 grants:
Edmonton 2 Spirit Society (ES2) (Edmonton, AB)
UBC CampOUT (Vancouver, BC)
The Monthly Cycle (Halifax, NS)
Each of these organizations has demonstrated a commitment to increasing diversity in the outdoors and removing barriers for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to get active outdoors. The Queer Gear Kits grant program provides funding and gear to support their efforts and help them achieve their goals.
“This year will be our first full capacity in-person camp since 2019,” said Anna Colina White (she/her), Camp Director of CampOUT! “For campers that would like to try sleeping under the stars, we’ll be able to offer them tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, and a cabin leader of their very own to really get that campy experience while at CampOUT! – Our goal is to aid campers in gaining the skills and confidence they can use to continue to create camping opportunities year-round”.
In addition to the $1,000 grant, each recipient receives an epic camp set-up, including MEC tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a camp stove and a first aid kit. They also receive Pride Outside gear from MEC.
Applications for the 2023 Queer Gear Kits grant program open on June 1st. The grant is available to 2SLGBTQIA+ led or serving organizations working to support diversity in the outdoors. Non-profit, charities and community groups are eligible to apply, and registered non-profit status is not required.
“We are proud to support these organizations and their efforts to increase equity in the outdoors and make a positive impact in their communities,” said Caitlin Brown, Senior Manager for Community Marketing at MEC. “Pride is so much more than a month or a flag, and we are committed to supporting queer folks in the outdoors. We encourage eligible organizations to apply for the 2023 Queer Gear Kits grant program.”
The Queer Gear Kits grant program is just one of the ways MEC supports organizations that are working to increase diversity and equity in the outdoors. MEC plans to expand their grant offerings in 2023, launching additional Community Grant opportunities through its Outdoor Impact program in Fall 2023.
