The Live Your Dream grant, powered by The North Face, was founded on the belief that our definitions of exploration and our goals are unique to each of us. Meaningful exploration isn’t limited to the highest peaks in the farthest reaches of the world. Your local gym, crag, and backyard mountains are equally important resources to help stoke inspiration for adventure. When we seek new experiences, overcome obstacles, and connect with each other through exploration, we change ourselves.

This grant supports the every-day adventurers who harness this mindset for their own exploration. We are looking for individuals who have a personally ambitious climbing goal, a desire to take their abilities to the next level, and want to share the power of exploration with their communities.

Open to AAC Members of all ages, all experience levels, and all climbing disciplines—from bouldering to big walls, alpinism to ski mountaineering, peak bagging to bolt clipping, and everything in between—we encourage you to dream big, let curiosity lead you, and apply.

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AWARDS

Live Your Dream grant awards vary depending upon the prospective project and budget, but typically fall within the $500 to $1,000 range. Recipients will be announced by mid-July.

Objectives involving Ski/Snowboard mountaineering components are funded in part through the Hans Saari Memorial Fund. The fund, dedicated to the memory of extreme skier Hans Saari, supports ski and snowboard mountaineering adventures that highlight the opportunity to accept physical and mental challenges, visit new places and people, and explore other cultures.
The Live Your Dream grants are nationally funded through a partnership with The North Face along with generous donations from local individuals, organizations, and fundraising efforts by local AAC Sections & Chapters.

APPLICATION PERIOD

The application period for Live Your Dream begins March 1 each year. Applications must be submitted online through our Submittable platform no later than 11:59pm MST on April 30th. Decisions will be sent to all applicants by mid-July.

Before applying, please carefully read the Criteria and Responsibilities of Live Your Dream grant recipients outlined below.

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Increase your chances of receiving a Live Your Dream grant by crafting the best possible application. Here is what the Selection Committee Members are looking for:
- There is no cost to apply, but applicants must be active AAC members. Not a member? Click here to join today!
- The project must accurately demonstrate a progression in skills and experience and outline a specific obtainable yet personally difficult goal. The objective should be at the edge of your physical and technical ability level. However, your individual experience level should be appropriate for the proposed objective.
- Live Your Dream grants are for all ages, all ability levels and all climbing disciplines—ski mountaineering, peak bagging, mountain running, or any other challenging endeavor included.
- Travel to (or through) any park/land must be allowed or authorized by the land manager, and not be in conflict with the Native Americans who previously and/or currently lived on that land.
Applications are considered for projects that occur between June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.
Projects involving climbers who are supported financially by corporate sponsors will not be considered. However, proposals from “amateur" climbers who have received in-kind corporate support (e.g., gear) will be considered, but support levels must be disclosed.
Applicants must be US citizens or green card holders to apply.
Within two months of returning, all grant recipients are required to submit a Trip Report to the AAC. Failure to submit a report will result in the applicant being ineligible for future AAC grants. Specific Trip Report Guidelines will be provided to grant recipients and are submitted through an online portal.
Any photos/videos submitted with the trip report remain property of the grantees, but the AAC and The North Face may reproduce submitted photos/videos in any manner for marketing or promotional purposes.
If for any reason the project is canceled or significantly changed, awarded funds must be returned to the AAC in full. Please contact the AAC Director of Grants if your proposal changes. Additionally, funds must be used within one year of the grant award date.
Recipients agree to mention the Live Your Dream grant as well as their support from the AAC and The North Face when speaking about the expedition publicly at slide shows and events. Recipients may be asked by the AAC to give a public presentation about the awarded expedition at Club events.
Recipients will act as American Alpine Club Ambassadors to the wider climbing community and are expected to champion the mission and values of the Club both domestically and abroad. Recipients should do their best to practice environmentally low impact and leave no trace ethics, acting as strong mountain stewards.