The Global Climbing Initiative Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Global Climbing Initiative equips climbing communities worldwide with the knowledge and resources to thrive.
- Income
- $144,398
- Spending
- $96,169
- Spent on programs
- 50%
- Reserves
- 12.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 17
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 29% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1550% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $15,459 spent. Our Gear Distribution Program bolstered the success of 8 climbing organizations in Uganda, Morocco, Cuba, Ethiopia, Kurdistan, Brazil, Venezuela, Malawi, Columbia, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic this year. We distributed 149 pairs of climbing shoes, 52 harnesses, 20 carabiners, 8 quickdraws, 6 belay devices, 4 ropes, and more gathered from outdoor industry brands and individual donors. This equipment supported our global partners in their missions of increasing climbing access for underrepresented populations and preserving climbing environments.
- $14,800 spent. Compensation for programmatic work
- $9,336 spent. Climbing Leadership Fund-Through the Climbing Leadership Fund, we initiate projects hand-in-hand with local climbing communities to make a deep investment in the trajectory of their growth. In 2024, our two Climbing Leadership Fund projects took place in Malawi and the Philippines. In Malawi, local climbing leaders learned skills in climbing tourism development, specifically skills for scouting new crags and routes, as well as climbing videography skills. In the Philippines, 35 local climbing leaders participated in nonprofit development workshops covering topics such as mission and vision, goals and strategy, and building a strong team.
- $8,696 spent. In 2024, GCI's Community Grants Program helped bring the visions of local climbing communities to life. We awarded grants in the following categories: Environmental, Creative, Social Impact, and Economic Development. The grant projects focused on topical areas including bolting education, tourism development, crag rehabilitation, video storytelling, climbing festivals, and community events.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.