More than 200 recipients have received more than $1.6 million in 2023 through the Athletic Brewing Company Two For The Trails grant program.
Two for the Trails was established in 2018 as a founding principle of the Athletic Brewing business plan. Two For The Trails is the largest annual environmental grant program in the craft beer industry. To date, the program has awarded nearly 400 grants totaling $4.3 million. It has helped fund more than 500 projects in 43 states, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Two For The Trails pays homage to co-founder and CEO Bill Shufelt’s family practice of toasting post-trail adventures with two brews. Athletic has committed to donating up to $2 million annually to protect and restore local trails, waterways and urban greenspaces around the world.
“The aim of Two For The Trails is to improve outdoor access for generations to come by directly supporting organizations, both large and small, that are working to protect the trails, forests, and crucial natural landscapes essential to our communities,” Shufelt said. “This year, we’re thrilled to be assisting over 200 nonprofit projects working to enhance and protect these outdoor spaces across nearly all 50 states.”
Grants in Action
The Appalachian Mountain Club — the nation’s longest-serving conservation and recreation organization — has received funding from Athletic every year. With the money, the club has embarked on an Indigenous History Exploration Project along the New England National Scenic Trail.
“Funding from Athletic enabled us to begin the Indigenous History Exploration Project, which is engaging communities with vital yet often unrecognized history, creating networks with Tribes, and revitalizing Trail culture by reconnecting communities to ancestral lands,” said Alexandra Molnar, the club’s Manager for Corporate and Foundation Engagement.
A first-time grant recipient, Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition, is building a shared‐use Class I trail. This new trail has 47 scenic family‐friendly miles. It reaches more than 522,000 users and has shifted 12 percent of the cars off State Route 29. Athletic Brewing is contributing to funding a critical gap of 13.5 miles between Yountville and Saint Helena.
“I’ve always been passionate about conservation and outdoor recreation, and I’m incredibly grateful to work with a company that is committed to giving back,” said Cara Wilson, Athletic Brewing & Two for the Trails Manager. “The Two For The Trails program allows us to provide essential funding to groups dedicated to enhancing and protecting the quality of outdoor spaces in the communities where our customers live, work and adventure.”
Athletic Brewing Grant Specs
Two For The Trails was established to help cover funding gaps on outdoor projects that have a transformative impact on local and national communities. Athletic Brewing accepts applications to fund projects related to trail construction and maintenance, waterway protection, environmental education and stewardship each year. Athletic Brewing’s 2023 donations are set to impact an estimated 32 million outdoor enthusiasts.
The next Two For The Trails grant period will open in the summer 2024. For more information visit https://athleticbrewing.com/pages/two-for-the-trails.
