Thrive Outside: Boulder/Denver

THRIVE OUTSIDE Boulder/Denver

Thrive Outside Boulder/Denver works to connect underserved youth to nature and the outdoors through the Nature Kids/Jovenes de la Naturaleza Program, which is active in Lafayette Colorado, and expanding its reach to Boulder, Longmont, and Denver with support from the Outdoor Foundation.

Key Focus Areas:

Pre-k to high school, backyard to backcountry, and family-integrated environmental education and outdoor recreation programming Backbone

Backbone Organization:

Thorne Nature Experience

Steering Committee Partners:

City of Lafayette, City of Boulder, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, Calwood Education Center, Cottonwood Institute, CU Science Discovery, City of Longmont

Community Partners:

Avid4Adventure, Brujula, Boulder County Housing and Human Services, Boulder County Open Space, Boulder Housing Partners, Boulder Valley ICO, Boulder Valley School District, Casa de la Esperanza, Centaurus High School, City of Boulder FRS, Eco Arts Connections, EcoCycle, Explorando Senderos, Garden to Table, Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Growing Gardens, I Have a Dream Boulder County, Jax Mercantile, Keystone Science School, Longmont Community Foundation, Longmont Youth Center, Medicine Horse, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Safe Routes to Schools, St. Vrain State Park, St. Vrain Valley School District, Wish for Wheels, YMCA of Boulder Valley

Get In Touch

 

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Thrive Outside: Chicago

THRIVE OUTSIDE Chicago

The Thrive Outside Chicago Community, led by The Nature Conservancy, is bringing together an existing network of partners dedicated to reducing barriers to the outdoors by increasing meaningful outdoor engagement opportunities for youth and adults in Chicago. Our partners are focused on youth-centered environmental education, growing food in community gardens, environmental justice, environmental stewardship and citizen science in green spaces, community wellness, and health, and providing outdoor engagement opportunities to Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and all other sexualities, sexes, and genders (LGBTQIA+) and other groups that have been historically excluded in outdoor programming. The goal of this network is to foster outdoor experiences to create passionate outdoor enthusiasts.

Key Focus Areas:

Community engagement, citizen science, outdoor activities in forest preserves, green spaces, the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, health and wellness, and environmental justice

Backbone Organization:

The Nature Conservancy

Steering Committee Partners:

Asian Climbing Collective, Black People Outside (BPO), Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT), Chicago BIPOC Birders, Chicago Climbs, Faith in Place, Latino Outdoors Great Lakes, Outdoor Color Crew, Queers on the Rocks

Community Partners:

All Things Through Christ Outreach Ministries (ATTCOM), Chicago Community Arts Studio, Chicago Muslims Green Team (CMGT), Chicago Park District, Chicago Prairie Tennis Club, Chicago Tool Library, Climb Big Chicago, Envision Unlimited, Escala, Feminist Bird Club, Friends of Big Marsh, Girls in the Game, Light of Loving Kindness, Maxwell Street Community Garden, One Family Illinois (formerly SOS Children’s Villages Illinois), Out Our Front Door, Outdoor Asian Chicago, Papalotzin Healing Collective, PODER, Project Impact 180, South Side Nature Play, U.N.I.O.N. Impact Center, We Keep You Rollin’, We Strive for Change, West Lawn Conservation Club, Young Men’s Educational Network (YMEN)

 

Get In Touch

 

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Thrive Outside: San Diego

THRIVE OUTSIDE San Diego

The Thrive Outside San Diego Community, led by The San Diego Foundation, is strengthening an existing network of nonprofit, philanthropic, academic and government partners such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, County of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department, Outdoor Outreach, YMCA of San Diego County and the Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. This network is working together to increase meaningful outdoor engagement opportunities for children and families with the support of the Thrive Outside grant. San Diego’s network partners work not only to provide outdoor experiences for the community but also to expand outdoor amenities. The goal of this network is to make the outdoors part of the fabric of the lives of children and families in the San Diego region, especially South County where one in seven residents live in poverty and have limitations to accessing the outdoors. By highlighting outcomes associated with outdoor engagement, San Diego leverages Thrive Outside funding to raise additional funds to improve the quality of life for San Diego children and families.

Key Focus Areas:

Ocean and mountain activities, collaboration with San Diego County Behavioral Health Initiative, local and state advocacy to address equity barriers, youth and BIPOC leadership development, (e.g., Leaders for Outdoor Equity)

Backbone Organization:

The San Diego Foundation

Steering Committee Partners:

Outdoor Outreach, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, YMCA of San Diego, University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute, County of San Diego Parks and Recreation, and Parks California

Community Partners:

BIPOC Support Foundation, Botanical Community Development Initiatives, City Heights Community Development Corporation, Coastal Roots Farm, Earth Discovery Institute, Groundswell Community Project, Groundwork San Diego – Chollas Creek, Horn of Africa, La Maestra Foundation Inc., Living Coast Discovery Center, Ocean Discovery Institute, Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, Outdoor Outreach, San Diego Canyonlands Inc., San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego Parks Foundation, SAY San Diego, The EcoLogik Institute, Un Mar De Colores, Urban Surf 4 Kids

SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY PARTNERS

THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION

LEARN More

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

READ MORE 

YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

READ MORE 

UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

READ MORE 

OUTDOOR OUTREACH

READ MORE 

COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO PARKS AND RECREATION

READ MORE 

SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY PHOTOS

Get In Touch

 

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Thrive Outside: Oklahoma City

THRIVE OUTSIDE OKLAHOMA CITY

The Thrive Outside Oklahoma City Community is led by the OKC RIVERSPORT Foundation together with a broad-based network of partners infusing an active, outdoor lifestyle among youth.

Key Focus Areas:

Water sports including whitewater rafting and kayaking, Adventure Therapy Program, and biking and running programs

Backbone Organization:

RIVERSPORT Foundation

Steering Committee Partners:

OKC Parks & Recreation, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA), YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City, Bike Club, OKC Public Schools Native American Services, and John Rex Charter School

Community Partners:

ASTEC, Bike Club, Boys and Girls Club of Oklahoma County, Bridges of Norman, Class Matters, Cleats for Kids, Course for Change, Crooked Oak Schools, Crossroads Youth and Family Services, Douglass HS, Eastside Wrestling Camps, FD Moon MS, First Serve, Freedom City / Thick Descriptions, It’s My Community, JD McCarty Center, Kidvation Global, MaComb 21st Century School, MetroTech, Millwood Public Schools, OKC Beautiful, OKC City Center, OKC Fury, OKC Parks and Recreation, OKCPD Fact Unit, OKCPS Athletic Director, OKCPS Native American Student Services, Oklahoma City Black Alumni Coalition, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic, Pivot, Police Athletic League, Positive Tomorrows, ReMerge, Scouting America, Stop the Violence, Sunbeam Family Services, Urban Bridge at Bridge Impact Center, USA Softball, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY PHOTOS

Get In Touch

 

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Thrive Outside: Grand Rapids

THRIVE OUTSIDE GRAND RAPIDS

The Thrive Outside Grand Rapids Community is led by Our Community’s Children, a partnership of the City of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Public Schools; the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department; and a close set of initial partners in the Grand Rapids Environmental Education Network. Thrive Outside is kick-starting a comprehensive outdoor program for Grand Rapids youth to connect with nature, play outdoors, and serve as leaders in neighborhood and park projects that engage families and children. This initiative allows Grand Rapids to build on the foundation set forth through the Connecting Children to Nature initiative and brings to scale, through planning and partnerships, a citywide effort to engage children in nature. Grand Rapids works to engage kids of all ages with an emphasis on those in fifth through 12th grades. This investment leverages additional foundation support, and its opportune timing will pave the way for further public and private investment.

Key Focus Areas:

Gear Library, public-private partnerships, and school-based programming

Backbone Organization:

Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation

Steering Committee Partners:

Grand Rapids Public Schools, and Grand Rapids Environmental Education Network

Community Partners:

All Good Sports, American Heart Association, AYA Youth Collective, Bethany Christian Services – Bellaview, Bethany Christian Services – Bridgeway, Bethany Christian Services – immigrant and refugee program, Bethany Christian Services – Refugee Transitional Assessment Center, Bethany Christian Services – TLC, Bethany Christian Services main office, Blandford nature Center, Boston Square Neighborhood Association, Boys and Girls Club – Stiel Center, Burton Middle School GRPS, Center for Community Transformation, Cesar Chavez Elementary, Community Food Club, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc, Eastown Community Association, Fit Kids 360, Friends of GR Parks Green Team, Girl Scout Troop #8159, GR Asian-Pacific Foundation, GR Environmental Services, GR Montessori, Grand Rapids Christian Middle School, Grand Rapids Parks Department, Grand Rapids Scouts, Grand Valley State University, Grandville Arts & Humanities – Cook Library, GRPS – GR Ford Academic Center, GRPS Summer School , Hudsons Fish Camp, JamesTown CRL, Kent County Probation – 17th district circuit Court, King Park Neighbors, KSSN – Cesar Chavez, KSSN – Harrison Park, Latina Network of West MI, Latino Outdoors GR , New City Kids, Our Community’s Children, Outdoor Afro, Premier Skate Shop, Ridgemoor Park PTA, River Rally, Secom, Shawmut Hills Elementary, Southwood Elementary, Stepping Stones Montessori, The Botanical Society of America, Wedgewood Christian Services, Wilderness Inquiry, Young Life

Grand Rapids COMMUNITY PARTNERS

OUR COMMUNITY’S CHILDREN

READ MORE 

GRAND RAPIDS PARKS & RECREATION

READ MORE 

GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

READ MORE 

GRAND RAPIDS ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION NETWORK

READ MORE 

PLASTER CREEK STEWARDS

READ MORE 

FRIENDS OF GRAND RAPIDS PARKS

READ MORE 

GROUNDSWELL

READ MORE 

Get In Touch

 

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Thrive Outside

THRIVE OUTSIDE INITIATIVE

The Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside Initiative awards multi-year, capacity-building grants to diverse communities to build and strengthen networks that provide children and families with repeat and reinforcing experiences in the outdoors. This community-led initiative is built with trusted local and national partners and is supported by three years of funding. Together, we’re working to create a more inclusive and accessible outdoor experience for all.

THRIVE OUTSIDE ​
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

WELCOME TO THRIVE OUTSIDE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA!
Thrive Outside Western North Carolina is increasing opportunities for outdoor engagement and career development while responding to the evolving needs of the community in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
LEARN MORE 

THRIVE OUTSIDE INITIATIVE COHORT THREE COMMUNITIES

BOUlDER/

DENVER, CO

Thrive Outside Boulder/Denver works to connect underserved youth to nature and the outdoors through the Nature Kids/Jovenes de la Naturaleza Program.

LEARN MORE 

CHICAGO, IL

Thrive Outside Chicago, led by The Nature Conservancy, is bringing together an existing network of partners dedicated to reducing barriers to the outdoors by increasing meaningful outdoor engagement opportunities for youth and adults. 

 

LEARN MORE 

DETROIT, MI

Thrive Outside Detroit, led by YMCA of Metro Detroit and Detroit Outdoors, connects youth and families with outdoor recreation and nature by working with regional organizations and agencies to share resources and skills.

 

LEARN MORE 

SEATTLE, WA

Thrive Outside Seattle, led by the King County Play Equity Coalition, is bringing together regional nonprofits, for-profits, government entities, and other networks to collectively identify strategies for equitable access to outdoor spaces. 

 

LEARN MORE 

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Thrive Outside Washington, D.C. Community is a network of organizations committed to maximizing the value of public spaces along the Anacostia River to residents of Ward 7 and 8 in the District of Columbia. 

 

LEARN MORE 

THRIVE OUTSIDE INITIATIVE COHORT TWO COMMUNITIES

MAINE

The Thrive Outside Maine Community, led by the Nature Based Education Consortium (NBEC), is strengthening an existing statewide network of nonprofit, philanthropic, and business partners.


LEARN MORE 

PHILADELPHIA, PA

The Thrive Outside Philadelphia Community, led by the National Wildlife Federation, is bringing together several regional organizations, stakeholders and existing large-scale networks to collectively create pathways for equitable access to the outdoors.


LEARN MORE 

ST. LOUIS, MO

The Thrive Outside St. Louis Community, led by newly created River City Outdoors, is activating a growing network of community stakeholders dedicated to making outdoor recreational opportunities more accessible and equitable for their region.


LEARN MORE 

TWIN CITIES, MN

The Thrive Outside Twin Cities Community, led by Wilderness Inquiry, is using community organizing techniques to coalesce a new and diverse group of partners to help families connect with the outdoors on the Mississippi River and other local waters.


LEARN MORE 

THRIVE OUTSIDE INITIATIVE COHORT ONE COMMUNITIES

ATLANTA, GA

The Thrive Outside Atlanta Community is led by the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance together with a diverse network of partners in West Atlanta and along the Chattahoochee River.

 

LEARN MORE 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

The Thrive Outside Oklahoma City Community is led by the OKC RIVERSPORT Foundation together with a broad-based network of partners infusing an active, outdoor lifestyle among youth.


LEARN MORE 

GRAND RAPIDS, MI

The Thrive Outside Grand Rapids Community is led by Our Community’s Children, a partnership of the City of Grand Rapids & Grand Rapids Public Schools & the Parks & Recreation Department.

 

LEARN MORE 

SAN DIEGO, CA

The Thrive Outside San Diego Community, led by The San Diego Foundation, is strengthening an existing network of nonprofit, philanthropic, academic and government partners.


LEARN MORE 

THRIVE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PARTNERS

1:1 donation match from Thrive Outside Community organizations.

THRIVE OUTSIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

GET IN TOUCH

 

LESFORD DUNCAN

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org

Thrive Outside: St. Louis

THRIVE OUTSIDE ST Louis

The Thrive Outside St. Louis Community, led by River City Outdoors, is activating a network of intersectional community partners – nonprofits, schools, youth service providers, health organizations, recreation providers, and corporate and governmental partners, to share resources and skills, and build a coalition to engage the St. Louis region in repeat and reinforcing outdoor experiences. With an emphasis on youth and marginalized communities, its goal is to address outdoor equity barriers and co-create positive outdoor experiences in order to foster better mental, physical, and emotional health and wellbeing in the St. Louis community and help create a city where outdoor recreation is accessible and embraced by all people. Key initiatives include catalyzing equitable outdoor programming, supporting the development of Action Adventure Clubs, and providing support for grassroots outdoor community groups.

Key Focus Areas:

Connecting youth and families to nature-based activities, Leveraging gear libraries and leadership training to strengthen and further develop a diverse community of well-resourced and skilled outdoor leaders in St. Louis, and building an Outdoor Equity Fund

Backbone Organization:

River City Outdoors

Advisory Board Partners:

River City Foundation, Terrain Magazine, Missouri Department of Conservation, Great Rivers Greenway, Trailnet, Missouri Environmental Education Association, The Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis, Northside Community Housing Inc., Ujima STL, The Nature Conservancy in Missouri, and the Clark-Fox Family Foundation

Community Partners:

ARCHS, Bailey Youth Enrichment Foundation, Black Transcendence, Blueprint 4, Boys & Girls Club Adams Park, Bworks, Carnahan Public School, Cherokee Recreation Center, Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri, Confluence Academy, Old North, East St. Louis Lincoln Middle School, East St. Louis Youth Development Alliance, Explore STL Parks, Flance Early Learning Center, Forest Park Forever, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Fresh Thyme, Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis, Greenway Network Inc., Join Hands East St. Louis, LEAD STL, Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, LifeWise STL, Lift For Life Academy, Little Creek Nature Area, Love the Lou, Marquette Recreation Center, Missouri Charter Public School Association, Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper, Missouri Environmental Education Association, Missouri Master Naturalists, Missouri River Relief, Missouri Stream Team, MoBOT Garden’s Outdoor Youth Corps, Navigate STL Schools, North Newstead Association, O’Fallon YMCA, Open Space STL, Outdoor Foundation, Outdoors Empowered Network, Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis, River Management Society, Shaw Nature Reserve, Sherwood Forest, Sinai Family Life Center, South City YMCA, STL Youth Jobs, Swim on Foundation, The Legacy Center, The Village 314, Thomas Dunn Learning Center, Tower Grove Farmers Market, Unleashing Potential, Upper Limits, WreSTL

“By working with community organizations and partners across St. Louis, we can help strengthen our ecosystem of outdoor recreation. The goal is to change ‘I and me’ to ‘us and we.'” – Chris Geden, Thrive Outside Program Manager

“We’ve been working for the past seven years to accelerate the outdoor recreation culture in the St. Louis region through Terrain Magazine, and now with the launch of River City Outdoors, we’re excited to gather that momentum and truly transform St. Louis into a vibrant, inclusive, outdoor community. This grant, and the additional support and leverage that comes with it, will allow us to maintain the great momentum we’ve gathered and focus it on creating diverse and equitable outdoor programs in our region.” – Brad Kovach, Editor/Publisher of Terrain Magazine and River City Outdoors Advisory Board Member

Get In Touch

 

Lesford Duncan

Executive Director

lduncan@outdoorfoundation.org