Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant
NEW!
In 2008, Industry Partner Black Diamond graciously agreed to be a supporter and sponsor of the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant. Grant recipients will be offered equipment sponsorship specific to the goals and objectives of the expedition or trip. Black Diamond's assistance will allow the ZMBB recipients to defray the cost of outfitting their climbing and humanitarian objectives. For information regarding the BD sponsorship, contact John Parsons.
How to Apply
Application for the ZMBB Grant is a two-step process. The first step is the submission of a grant proposal abstract. After review of the abstract, the ZMBB grant committee will select three potential recipients. Each selected applicant will be contacted and required to complete and submit the long form grant proposal.
In order to process your application here are the requirements and timelines
- Complete the online abstract proposal due by Mar 15
- Three potential recipients will be contacted on or before Mar 30
- Long form grant proposal due by Apr 15
- Award by mid-May
John Parsons (ZMBB Committee Chair) john.p.parsons@att.net
How to Submit
Applications must be submitted online.
About This Grant
The Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant (ZMBB) is a dual-purpose grant fund. The primary objective is humanitarian and the secondary objective involves climbing and alpinism. The grantee must meet both objectives and is strongly encouraged to obtain additional funding.
The humanitarian objective must be reasonable, and sustainable. Objectives that continue after implementation will receive the highest level of consideration. Focus the objective to affect the greatest human change. See a list of AAC supported humanitarian organizations here.
The alpine objective should focus on climbing and exploration but need not be at the leading edge of climbing or alpinism.
Origin
Zack Martin died just before his 25th birthday on Thanksgiving Day 2002. He was a recipient of AAC grants, the Anatoli Boukreev grant and others. Zack was concerned about the general arrogance and self-serving aspirations of climbers and explorers. He committed that on all future expeditions he would not only climb and explore but more importantly he would perform humanitarian service in the local community. He would "break a barrier" in the alpine environment and "break a barrier" in the heart of man. As Zack often said, "The only barrier holding you back is yourself."
Purpose
The Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant (ZMBB) is a grant fund with a dual purpose. The grant supports climbing and exploration in the alpine environment and coincidentally sponsors humanitarian and community outreach activities. Alpine proposals that focus on unclimbed or unexplored alpine terrain will receive special consideration especially lightweight and unsupported teams. Repeats of difficult or historic routes will also be considered heavily. However, the alpine objectives do not need to be at the leading edge of alpinism to receive this grant. Of equal or greater importance is the proposal for humanitarian activity. The primary consideration will be humanitarian and community outreach activities that meet the greatest human need in the local area of choice. It is not required that the alpine and humanitarian activities be in the same immediate local but in the same region is desirable.
How can you contribute?
Donations for the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Fund can be made via check or credit card. Checks must be made to The American Alpine Club with an attention to the ZMBB fund. The American Alpine Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations to this fund are tax-deductible.
Selection Procedure
A committee of three active climbers reviews the applications and selects the recipients, and decides how much each of the recipients will receive. Recipients are typically chosen by May 20th and all applicants will be notified of the committee's decision at that point.
Past Recipients
2007
Fabrizio Zangrilli - Zangrilli and climbing partner Bill Pierson will attempt a new route in alpine style on K2, and then Zangrilli will travel to Khane to investigate the feasibility of a girls' school in the village on behalf of Girls Education International. Read Fabrizio Zangrilli's expedition report here.
2006
Adam French - French and his team will attempt the second ascent of the East Ridge of 20,976-foot Huantsan in the southern Cordillera Blanca. The team's humanitarian mission is titled "Water Is Life." French and team will install effective composting toilets in Huascaran National Park, where they will immediately improve water quality, not only in the park but also in the streams and rivers below the park. Read Adam French's follow-up report from 2007 here.