Anita Wilkins
The Mountaineers is an extraordinary community of givers who selflessly and passionately support our mission to connect
people to the natural world and each other.
As an 18-year Mountaineers member, donor, and volunteer,
I am continuously blown away by our community’s commitment to giving back and paying it forward — opening doors to belonging, exploration, personal development, and well-being in our treasured outdoor spaces. 2024 showcased just how significant our impact can be when a spirit of generosity prevails.
Our culture of philanthropy encompasses myriad forms of giving back, and these acts of giving create a synergy that powers The Mountaineers toward a more engaged and impactful community. As we built on 2023 successes with youth programs, course capacity, and facilities, the intertwining of volunteerism and fundraising became even stronger in 2024.
Volunteerism has been at the heart of The Mountaineers since its inception. Dedicated volunteers set the tone for our community by cultivating a sense of belonging and shared purpose among members of all ages, experience levels, and backgrounds. Last year, 3,573 volunteers spent 182,654 hours bringing the joy of the outdoors to thousands of members in countless ways, including leading trips, teaching courses, and supporting events. And our robust Leadership Development program empowered hundreds of adults and youth who learned how to facilitate and improve future volunteer, leader, and advocacy opportunities.
Engaging a vibrant community of volunteers is made
possible through our supportive community of donors.
The funds raised through philanthropic efforts allow us to introduce more people to the outdoors, grow our youth
programs, bolster volunteer leadership development,
invest in infrastructure to improve programming, increase
conservation and advocacy education, allow sustainable
choices for books production, and more. Last year 2,532
members (including more than 1,500 first-time donors)
gave more than $1.08 million, while corporate sponsors and
foundations invested $554,098. These financial gifts enabled
us to take mission-critical initiatives well beyond what we
could achieve with revenue from programs alone, and helped
us keep prices reasonable for membership, activities, camps,
lodges, and books.
Philanthropic highlights in 2024 include $106,719 in scholarships awarded through the donor-funded Mountaineers Access Program (MAP) to ensure everyone has access to Mountaineers activities. In addition, the Peak Society Giving Circle (annual donations of $1,000+) reached record membership heights, while the new Ridgeline Giving Circle (annual donations of $500+) energized a new group of donors.
The beauty of our growing culture of philanthropy is the interplay between volunteering and donating: there are so many ways to support our remarkable community. Fundamentally, we are all united around a love of the outdoors no matter how we give back or pay it forward. What vibrant future lies ahead when the spirit of generosity illuminates our path!
Photos clockwise from top left: Mountaineers staff, Emily Goren, Mountaineers Youth Programs, Laura Klebe, and Matt Hagen.
2024 IMPACT: ENAGE A VIBRANT OUTDOOR COMMUNITY
- Facilitating Transformative Outdoor Experiences for Youth. The Mountaineers works with a variety of youth-serving organizations to offer customized partner programs
designed to get youth outside. Each year, our Mountain Workshops program introduces over 1,000 young people to
transformative outdoor experiences that are often a school-year highlight for students, teachers, and staff. - A Community Engaged in Giving Back. Our members engage in myriad ways, volunteering time to instruct courses, contributing talent to improve programs, sharing stories to cultivate community, donating dollars to sustain operations, and more. Giving back is intrinsic to our community, and this culture of philanthropy allows us to fulfill mission-driven initiatives that fuel us into the future.
- Honoring Tribal Wisdom and Deepening Mindful Recreation. We strive to honor the histories, stories, and wisdom of Indigenous peoples who have been living here since time immemorial. Our partnership with the Sacred Lands
Conservancy provides essential resources that illuminate the history of our natural places, underscore the significance of tribal rights and treaties, and inspire deeper connections to the land and its original stewards.
Mountaineers Books CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE OUTDOORS
Mountaineers publications follow two paths to engage a community of outdoor enthusiasts. First, our best-in-class educational books are clear and accessible guides that engage the novice on their journey from first-time hiker to seasoned
recreationist. Second, our catalog of narratives and histories seek to reflect all adventurers and provide role models for readers of any background and ability. The Adventure Gap uses the first all-African American expedition to Denali to examine
this need for diverse outdoor stories. Similarly, Alpine Rising and Headstrap spotlight the achievements of Sherpa and Balti climbers who’ve been sidelined in accounts of Western expeditions.
The Mountaineers® is a 501(c)(3) organization supported through earned revenue and elevated through charitable contributions. Our staff work to support our seven branches (Bellingham, Everett, Foothills, Kitsap, Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma), three lodges (Baker, Meany, and Stevens), and our Kitsap Forest Theater. Tax ID: 27-3009280. 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
