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Equity & Outreach Fund Breaking Down Barriers + Increasing Participation

 

All About ASCEND's

Equity & Outreach Fund

ASCEND recognizes that, as a for-profit climbing gym, we benefit from more people climbing. We also recognize that it is our prerogative to support resources for our customers and member base, at our expense, not yours. However, as we strive to expand access to, awareness of, and a sense of ownership over outdoor spaces for youth and BIPOC (who haven’t had equitable access to those spaces), we cannot pay for everything all at once that we believe needs to change. 

Throughout our time in business, community members have contributed money, gear, or inquired about donating, and we want to transparently and responsibly put those resources to good use. So, we’ve set up this fund with the sole focus of improving equity in this space.

We intend to spend this fund towards:

  • Improved financial accessibility to climbing/outdoor spaces

    • Supported admission options

    • Supported pricing for programs for youth to attend camp or team, outdoor climbing trips, and more! Really, anything we offer can have supported pricing.

    • Support to rent or buy climbing shoes or gear

    • Transportation for certain special events and groups

  • Events and programming around JEDI topics

    • These events will only include equity initiatives, which include looking at issues of access, affordability, race, gender.

      • Ex. Paying for guests during our Affinity Sessions, or if we held a panel to discuss gender in competitions, paying someone to be the moderator.

  • Community Advisory Board

    • To plan certain events or initiatives.

This program will NOT pay for, which instead fall squarely on ASCEND’s shoulders: 

  • Staff trainings or any internal DEI initiatives

  • Wages for anyone on staff

  • ASCEND Clubs

***As we continue to develop these parameters, we promise to exercise extreme discretion.***

ASCEND will also strive to make regular contributions to the fund.

ASCEND promises to make a good-faith effort to make meaningful contributions possible. The Equity + Outreach Department will manage the fund by creating a budget, disbursing money and tracking expenses, and writing summary reports on what has been spent.

If you feel like you need help to do more in climbing — like buy shoes or learn to climb outside — send us a message. We’re so excited to help you as much as we can!

Next steps for our team:

  1. Increase online automation for usage to reduce friction.

  2. Regularly present fund snapshots to illustrate sources, disbursements, impacts, and future goals.

We believe that this program is still in its infancy and that we have a long way to go. Your trust and support of this initiative is not taken for granted and we take this responsibility seriously.

Supported Admission

At ASCEND, we value our community above all else. We believe that a diverse community, representing people from all backgrounds, only strengthens us — so we want to make sure that we’re doing our part to make climbing accessible and approachable for as many people as possible. There are multiple barriers to climbing, outdoor recreation, and outdoor spaces in general. Just one of those barriers is the cost. Paying for access can be a burden to some, and can prevent people from participating in an activity that we all love, that we want to share, and that we think brings comfort and challenge to everyone who participates.

Supported Admission

Supported admission draws from ASCEND's Equity + Outreach Fund. While we do not seek proof of financial status, we kindly ask that supported service recipients identify with having little or no expendable income, qualify for government assistance, are an elder with limited financial support, are a returning citizen denied work due to incarceration, have medical expenses not covered by insurance, or are experiencing any other unique or systemic financial hardship or inequity.

Memberships

We offer two supported recurring monthly EFT Memberships:

  1. Supported, which is roughly 50% off.

  2. Supported Max, which is roughly 75% off.

  3. Renting gear each visit can also be expensive, so ASCEND has a monthly rental package, which includes unlimited rental use of shoes, harnesses, belay devices, and chalk. If you are receiving a Supported Membership, you can also get a Supported Rental Package.

Day Passes

We offer two supported Day Passes:

  1. Supported, which is 50% off an Adult Day Pass. Includes rental equipment.

    1. Use promo code DAYSUPPORT50 at the end of checkout when purchasing an Adult Day Pass.

  2. Supported Complimentary, which is absolutely FREE. Includes rental equipment.

    1. Use promo code DAYSUPPORT100 at the end of checkout when purchasing an Adult Day Pass.

Note: Each customer is restricted to using these codes only 5 times in total. In part, this is a limitation of our system, but we also would encourage recurring visitors to consider a Supported Membership instead of continually using Supported Day Passes.

Programs + Events

We offer three supported promo codes, which can be be applied to a vast majority of our programs and events, from Boulder Basics, Climbing 101, Outdoor Trips, Summer Camp, AND SO MANY MORE. Give the code a try and if it doesn't work, please email [email protected] and we'll get back to you ASAP.

  • SUPPORT75 = 75% supported

  • SUPPORT50 = 50% supported

  • SUPPORT25 = 25% supported

All Supported Admission draws from the Equity + Outreach Fund, whether it's a Membership, Day Pass, or Program Promo Code, therefore, to ensure sustainable disbursement of these limited funds, ASCEND will periodically run reports to assess optimal use. These reports will indicate a variety of things for us to consider, such as, members who are not visiting frequently enough (typically at least twice per month), or guests who are purchasing enough Day Passes (Supported or Complimentary) where a membership would make more sense. Our goal is to communicate our findings to the climbers, and recommend a more optimal path forward.

Still having trouble meeting these prices? Or, are there other programs you want to be a part of, but are having trouble accessing? Please send us a message and we will be in touch as soon as possible. We are ever working to improve our online booking systems to continue to ease any and all friction.

Contribute To The Fund

THREE WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE

1. TO ADD A MONTHLY DONATION TO YOUR RECURRING MEMBERSHIPSUBMIT YOUR REQUEST HERE and indicate how much per month you'd like to add to your membership billing. Those who currently contribute range $1-$15 per month!

2. TO MAKE A ONE-TIME DONATION, please visit or call one of our front desks. Online donations will be accepted soon!

3. ROUND UP FOR EQUITY anytime you buy anything at the front desk, by rounding up your purchase to the nearest dollar. Simply let us know when you make a purchase!