Climbing Grief Fund

Climbing can be many things: joyful, satisfying, adventurous, and also risky. Unfortunately, because risk is inherent to the sport, many people in our community find themselves grappling with grief, loss, trauma, or injury when things go wrong. As AAC members, we take care of each other—and those in our community experiencing trauma shouldn’t have to deal with it alone.

The Climbing Grief Fund is dedicated to providing support to climbers and other mountain recreationists experiencing grief through our Mental Health Directory and Climbing Grief Grant.

Who is the Grief Fund for?

Grief and loss are complex, and we often have complicated feelings as we process what we’ve experienced—and as we reconsider our relationship to climbing. Grief can be very isolating, and sometimes those who might benefit most from Grief Fund resources discredit their needs because “someone else has it worse.” At the AAC, we are here to support all climbers. Whether you are a survivor or witnessed an accident, or have lost a family member or friend, are processing a debilitating injury, or are a caregiver for someone who is healing from an accident—the Grief Fund is for you, and can help ensure you have access to the mental health resources you need.

Climbing Grief Fund Impact

$21,600 +
Distributed to 36 climbers needing mental health support for grief and loss in 2025. 

Grief Fund Resources

Grief Fund Grant

The Grant offers up to $600 for individuals experiencing grief, loss, trauma, or injury to use toward individual therapy or a professional program that engages a grief or trauma framework, including those not listed in the CGF directory. There is no application period for this grant, apply at any time as needed.

All Grant applications will remain confidential. We will notify you of approval within 2 weeks of submission. Please email us if there are questions concerning the application process.

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Climbing Grief Fund grants are supported in part by the Edwards-Ginsburg Fund. This fund was established in 2025 to honor the support that caregivers and loved ones provide to individuals directly impacted by trauma or tragedy due to climbing, mountaineering, or ski-mountaineering related accidents.

Apply for grief grant

Grief Fund Directory

The Mental Health Professionals listed are self-selected allies to the Climbing Grief Fund. They bring an understanding of climbing, alpinism and/or ski mountaineering into their therapeutic work. Learn more about help available to you, how to add a resource, and browse professionals near you on the directory page.

Disclaimer: While the credentials of each person have been reviewed, CGF cannot accept responsibility for any of the services provided by these or any other providers. You are responsible for selecting the provider or treatment.

Browse Directory

Virtual Dedication Wall

- In Honor of Gina Marie Rzucidlo, Miha Šumi, and my patients in the outdoor community
- For Adam
- Bruce Grossan

- In Memory of Lincoln, my climbing, bicycling, rafting and bridge buddy for seventy years.
- In memory of Greg Cameron, from his San Diego friends.
- Shah Doulat was one of the most capable and humble climbers, he was patient, steady, and generous with encouragement. He moved through the mountains with quiet confidence and deep care for his team. A proud guide from Shimshal, he believed in greater recognition for Pakistani climbers.
- In memory of Odell and Shirley Jones
- In memory of Rohan Rao.
- In loving memory of John H. Zobel, who died on the summit of Aconcagua on January 30, 2017.
- This donation is in memory of Liam Garrett MacDonald (1999-2018). Liam was my best friend and boyfriend in high school and lost his life during a climbing accident in May 2018.
- In memory of John Klak
- In memory of Alex Reed
- In memory of Erik Bengtsson. Thank you for leaving a beautifully lasting inspiring imprint in my life. I am forever grateful to have known you.
- In Memory of: Luke Wilhelm
- In memory of John Platt, McCall Idaho.
- In memory of Karen McNeil (lost on Mt. Foraker 2006) and Sonja Findlater (died in avalanche in 2019). Both amazing lights / spirits in my climbing journey. We miss you both so much.
- In memory of Lincoln, climbing buddy, brother, and classic fool - in the best sense of that word
- In Memory of Michael Gardner
- In memory of Niki Choo
- In memory of Ben Richards