A diverse group if young people placing their hands together in a circle, symbolizing community, belonging, and support-Sierra Summit Foundation outdoor access programs for underserved youth

Sierra Summit Foundation removes financial, gear, and transportation barriers so underserved youth and veterans can experience the outdoors — building confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and community.

Our Mission

Sierra Summit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to outdoor experiences for those who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. We believe time in nature builds the kind of confidence and inner strength that carries into every part of life.

What We Do

Creating outdoor programs that are intentionally designed to support:

  • Access — removing cost, gear, and transportation barriers
  • Growth — building confidence, resilience, leadership, and mental wellness
  • Skills — teaching outdoor safety, stewardship, teamwork, and practical life skills
  • Belonging — fostering mentorship, representation, and community
Three hikers with backpacks walking arm-in-arm in the woods, showing friendship, support, and belonging outdoors.

Who We Support.

Our programs focus on:

  • Underserved youth who benefit from mentorship, skill-building, and time in nature
  • Veterans seeking connection, wellness, and community through the outdoors
We partner with community organizations to identify participants and reduce barriers to participation.
Why It Matters

The outdoors can be more than an escape; it can be a turning point. When someone gains access to safe, supportive outdoor experiences, it can change how they see themselves and what they believe is possible.

The Outcomes We Build Toward.

  • Increased confidence and self-esteem
  • Stronger social connection and belonging
  • Improved mental wellness and coping skills
  • Leadership development and teamwork
  • Greater comfort in the outdoors and new life skills
Diverse group of young hikers walking together on a wooded trail, representing connection, confidence, and access to outdoor experiences.
Three hikers with backpacks walking arm-in-arm in the woods, showing friendship, support, and belonging outdoors.
Two young hikers crossing a shallow forest creek on stepping stones while holding hands, representing Sierra Summit Foundation’s mission to build confidence, support, and outdoor access.
Two hikers with backpacks standing on a scenic overlook at sunset, representing Sierra Summit Foundation’s mission to expand outdoor access, confidence, and life-changing trail experiences.
Two hikers with backpacks using trekking poles on a hillside at sunset, reflecting Sierra Summit Foundation’s mission to build strength, confidence, and belonging through outdoor access.

Open the Trail for Someone Who Needs It.

Partner with us to expand access and fund the next opportunity.
Access to transformative outdoor experiences should not depend on income or circumstance.
Your support directly funds scholarships, equipment, professional guides, and program infrastructure that make these experiences possible.
When you give, you’re not sponsoring a trip.
You’re investing in confidence. In belonging. In measurable personal growth.
Become a Foundation Partner

Your Donation Creates Real Access

Young hikers taking a break by a creek and sharing a warm drink at camp, reflecting Sierra Summit Foundation’s mission to create belonging, confidence, and access to outdoor experiences.
Why Invest 
Many people want to experience the outdoors — they just don’t have the resources. Your gift helps fund the essentials that make participation possible.
Donations support:
  • Transportation to trailheads and program locations
  • Outdoor gear and equipment for participants
  • Food, permits, and trip logistics
  • Trained guides, mentorship, and safety planning
  • Scholarships for fully funded participation

Make an Impact Today!

Recurring donations create stability and allow us to plan programs, reserve permits, purchase gear, and sponsor more participants throughout the year.
3% Cover the Fee

What began as witnessing quiet transformation in the mountains has grown into a commitment to expand who gets to experience it.

Read more

What sets Sierra Summit Foundation apart isn’t just the programs we offer — it’s the intention behind them. Every initiative is designed to remove barriers, expand opportunity, and create measurable impact. With your support, we can fund access, provide scholarships, and ensure that transformative outdoor experiences reach those who need them most.

Donate

A Simple Belief.

Access to the outdoors shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be a possibility — for every kid, every veteran, and every person who just needs a chance to step outside and rediscover what they’re capable of.

Get Involved.

There are many ways to help bring the outdoors to more people:
  • Donate to fund scholarships and gear
  • Volunteer your time and skills
  • Partner with us as an organization or sponsor
  • Spread the word by sharing our mission

Meet the Team

  • Sierra Summit Expeditions guide smiling on trail wearing a backpack and carrying safety gear, supporting Sierra Summit Foundation programs with trained outdoor leadership.

    Brett Baker

  • Sierra Summit Expeditions guide smiling on trail wearing a backpack and carrying safety gear, supporting Sierra Summit Foundation programs with trained outdoor leadership.

    James O'Neill

  • Headshot of a Sierra Summit Foundation guide dedicated to safe, supportive outdoor experiences that build confidence, belonging, and mental wellness for underserved youth and veterans.

    Mike McDonald

  • Sierra Summit Expeditions guide smiling on trail wearing a backpack and carrying safety gear, supporting Sierra Summit Foundation programs with trained outdoor leadership.

    Kelsey Bollman

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Sierra Summit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 39-4721519. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.