The annual event will support more than 125 local projects – connecting an estimated 20,000 young people to the outdoors

The Outdoor Foundation is pleased to announce that over 125 non-profit projects will be funded, thanks to the outdoor industry’s generous support of the 2014 Outsiders Ball, which took place on August 5 – Night 0 of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market. In one night, over 1000 friends, leaders and luminaries joined together to support the issue of youth participation in the outdoors, raising nearly $300,000 to fund non-profit projects and college programs that will connect an estimated 20,000 to the outdoors.

Thanks to the attendees and generous sponsors including Platinum: Confluence Outdoor, Vasque, Outdoor Industry Association, GORE-TEX, Thule, Wolverine Worldwide, Chaco, prAna, Outdoor Retailer, PrimaLoft, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, Digital Operative, Outside, SNEWS, Periscope, AIM Media, The Conservation Fund Gold: Mountain Khakis, Timberland, GSI Outdoors, Stella, Merrell, Wolverine, Sperry Top-Sider, Weld, Baird, Silver: Burton, JanSport, Marmot, LifeStraw Patagonia Footwear, CAT Footwear, REI, Vibram Bronze: River Sports Outfitters, EnerPlex, Buff, ACK, Advanced Elements, Yakima, Eddie Bauer. In-kind sponsors include Keeper Sports Products, Woodchuck, CamelBak, Coalatree Organic, Mountain Khakis, Black Diamond, JanSport , Vibram, LifeStraw, Farm to Feet, One Source Apparel, UST Brands, Terramar , Adventure Medical Kits, Chums, Piggyback Rider , Hennessey Hammocks, The North Face, Sterling Rope, BIC Sports, Sierra Designs, Eagle Creek, Buff, Coleman, Enerplex, d.light , Arc’teryx, Salomon and Kelty.

“With support from more than 50 corporate sponsors and over 1,000 attendees, it is exciting to see our industry embrace Outsiders Ball and join together on one night for one common cause – connecting a new generation with the outdoors,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation. “Working with local retailers across the country, we will identify and support effective community projects and campus programs that get more young people outdoors and active. We look forward to sharing our on-the-ground success stories and continuing to engage the industry in this critical issue – driving business and participation.”

For more information on the 2014 Outsiders Ball, visit outsidersball.org. For information on how you or your brand or company can support the Outdoor Foundation or Outdoor Nation, visit outdoorfoundation.org.

Logo courtesy Outdoor Foundation and Outdoor Nation