The Mountaineers
Like many nonprofits, we’re navigating rapidly rising costs and economic uncertainty as we head into 2026. The good news? We have a strong foundation and an equally strong community.
The Mountaineers is powered by a wonderful mix of people and resources: volunteer leaders, passionate members, curious readers, and generous donors. Together, they sustain a nearly $11.5M operating budget that helps people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the natural world every year through mission driven programs and publishing.
A Culture of Philanthropy: How Donations Fit In at The Mountaineers
The Mountaineers is an unusual nonprofit because a large portion of our work is supported by earned revenue. Member dues, course fees, lodge stays, book sales, youth programs, and more provide a strong base of funding and allow us to plan ambitiously.
On top of that foundation sits a critical layer of philanthropy:
- Annual campaigns and appeals (including year-end giving)
- Ridgeline and Peak Society leadership level gifts
- Grants and foundation support
- Fundraising events like our Adventure with Purpose Gala
These donor dollars are not just “nice to have.” They are what make scholarships, conservation and advocacy, leadership development, youth access, and other mission-critical programs possible. They also help cover essentials like technology, insurance, volunteer support, and facilities that keep the whole organization running smoothly.
For fiscal year 2026, the Board approved a budget that will support strategy shifts to ensure the viability of Mountaineers Books, as well as maintain momentum in core programs like leader development, scholarships, youth programs, and conservation. This budget was carefully built from the ground up by staff, volunteers, and committee leaders.
In a year when every line item is working hard, philanthropy is a key ingredient.
Why Year-End Is So Pivotal
Year-end giving isn’t just a tradition, it’s one of the most important periods in our annual fundraising plan. About 32% of Mountaineers donors chose to make their gift between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That means a significant portion of our annual fundraising goal is concentrated in just a few weeks!
We will kick off year-end with Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving that we will dedicate to filling our scholarship fund for the year ahead. Scholarships directly help youth and adults in our community who face financial barriers to outdoor education. We’re aiming to raise $60,000 by December 2 to replenish the fund ahead of a winter surge in course and camp registrations. Your generosity directly helps people connect with the outdoors who otherwise might not have that opportunity.
Then for the duration of December, we will reach out to every corner of our community to bring in $225,000 before midnight on December 31. We’ll be sharing progress on Facebook and Instagram, via email, and on our blog to show how your gifts support youth in the outdoors, volunteer leadership, conservation, and more.
Where Your Year-End Gift Goes
Your year-end donation has very tangible effects. Strong philanthropic revenue in the first quarter of our fiscal year helps to protect and sustain:
- Scholarships that lower financial barriers to courses, camps, and youth programs
- Leadership development that equips volunteer leaders with skills in instruction, risk management, equity and belonging, and group facilitation
- Teaching and gathering places like our lodges, program centers, and training infrastructure
- Mountaineers Books, which amplifies conservation storytelling and local expertise
- Youth access to the outdoors, including gear, transportation, and skilled instruction
- Conservation and advocacy that strengthens our collective voice to protect the lands and waters we explore
How You Can Help
Our culture of philanthropy is more than an exercise in balancing a budget. It’s our community deciding, together, that we want a future where all people can confidently enjoy and feel inspired to protect the natural world. Your gift is an investment in making that future real.
If you are inspired to include The Mountaineers in your year-end giving plans, here are some ways to help:
- Renew or increase your annual gift during the campaign
- Elevate your membership to Ridgeline or Peak Society
- Pledge to a matching pool to inspire other members to make a donation
This is a difficult budget year, and it’s also a year full of possibility. Thank you for considering a gift and for being part of our vision to Adventure with Purpose.
The Mountaineers® is a 501(c)(3) organization supported through earned revenue and elevated through charitable contributions, tax ID:27-3009280, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
