The Rut was born from and remains deeply rooted in community and landscape. Because of this, we’re thrilled to establish The Rut Grants to support the people, places, and ideas that give life to the sport of trail running.

Who are the grants for?

Individuals and organizations leading projects that build trail running community and culture, care for the landscapes that sustain the sport, and expand who trail running is for.

We are not looking for projects that focus on competition, performance, or speed, such as FKTs or races. You can scratch that competitive itch at the Rut! The Rut Grants are about everything else outside of the competitive arena that nourishes and grows our sport.

We welcome applications from anywhere. As a Montana-based organization, Montana projects may be prioritized in our first year if proposals exceed available funding.

Funding and Timeline 

We have committed $8,000 to support the Rut Grant’s inaugural season and our partners at The North Face have generously matched our commitment, bringing our total grant pool to $16,000. Grant sizes will range from $500 to $3,500 depending upon the funding request.

April 27: Applications open

May 20: Applications close

Week of June 1: Grantees announced and investments made 

June – November: Projects come to life

Project Ideas

Need a starting point? Think community, stewardship, and storytelling:

– Run clubs that welcome new communities

– Trail work and restoration projects

– Creative work that tells stories of people and place

– Youth programs that introduce the next generation

– Expanding access to trails for those who don’t have it