The Greatest Needs Fund is a permanent legacy of the ACC. This fund has been in place for over 15 years, and has grown considerably over that time through generous donations and bequests from members who included the ACC in their estate planning. Interest income is used annually to support strategic priorities and projects. Funding is distributed through grants approved by the ACC Board of Directors.

The ACC Greatest Needs Fund strengthens the ACC’s ability to seize new opportunities, address pressing issues and make strategic decisions that benefit our national community.

Learn more about the Greatest Needs Fund.

Donate to the Greatest Needs Fund

No matter its style or size, the retreats in the ACC’s network of 35 hostels, huts and cabins offer wilderness adventurers a safe, comfortable place to warm up, rest your weary feet and enjoy a great meal with others.

The Need:

• Many existing huts are decades old and need restoration.
• More huts are needed to support the diversity of members – providing great escapes for families, youth and seniors.
• More safe opportunities for traverses, such as on the Wapta Icefield.
• Expand offerings across the country.
• Use of huts reduces environmental impact by concentrating human activity to a specified area.

Learn more about the Facilities Fund or section projects, such as the Bon Echo Hut Revitalization Project, the new hut on Vancouver Island, or the Spearhead Huts Society Hut to Hut Campaign.

DONATE TO THE FACILIITES FUND

Great escapes are organized by Sections and the National Office year-round across the country and to several international locations each year. They are a thrilling way to explore the world, experience nature and yourself, and build skills and experience.

The Need:

• To keep our programs cost-effective, our model is almost break-even, so additional funds are needed to support infrastructure enhancement and expansion of programs.
• High demand for different, diverse and specialized adventures.
• Camp equipment and infrastructure must remain current and in good repair for safety and experience.
• Need for more amateur leaders and the responsibility to help them be the best they can be.

Donate to the Leadership Fund

As Canada’s mountaineering leader, the ACC has an obligation to keep our back country open and unblemished for those who follow us for generations to come. Working with like-minded partners and supporters, the ACC is the foremost voice in protecting wilderness areas across the country for the safe, responsible enjoyment of all.

The Need:

• A national voice to promote environmental stewardship and responsible access to the back country.
• Protection and preservation of wilderness areas.
• Education on back-country etiquette and safe, responsible use of huts.
• Development of new trails, and maintenance and repair of existing trails.
• Enhance and lead innovation on sustainable huts and reducing environmental footprints.
• Support research and advocacy for conservation and understanding of our natural spaces.

Learn more about how you can support our Environment Fund.

Donate to the Environment Fund

Since our beginning, the ACC has been a prominent voice in preserving and promoting our nation’s back-country legacy, history, culture and literature. Our Club is dedicated to keeping the mountain story strong.

The Need:

• Provide online and physical access to our cultural works and prestigious journals, such as the Canadian Alpine Journal, the Gazette and the Summit Series.
• Develop new cultural works to retain our leadership role as a respected voice in backcountry culture.
• Support the preservation of archives and cultural works.

Learn more about the Mountain Culture Fund.

Donate to the Mountain Culture Fund

The Girls On Ice Canada (GOIC) Fund supports a wilderness program for Canadian high school girls operated under the auspices of the ACC. Each summer, girls from diverse communities and backgrounds across Canada are chosen for a tuition-free, 12-day science-immersion expedition led by female scientists, mountain guides and artists. The program interweaves science, art and adventure to inspire leadership, curiosity and confidence in its young participants. The GOIC program aligns with the ACC’s mandate to be a national leader in responsible access and environmental stewardship. It supports the development of a new generation of volunteer leaders. Donations to the Fund will support the ACC’s vision to grow the GOIC program across Canada.

Learn more about the ACC's Girls on Ice program.

Donate to the Girls on Ice Canada Fund

Help maintain and upgrade Vancouver Island's mountain hut

This hut, on 5040 Peak, was the first ACC hut named by local First Nations. The name means "Gather Together." Opened in 2019, it is the only public, year-round, alpine hut on Vancouver Island. After being opened for just over one year, we had to close because of provincial COVID-19 restrictions. As soon as we are able to open, we will be back up and running and ready to welcome guests once again.

In the meantime please consider supporting us to

1. Stabilize the power supply by increasing solar capacity to allow to keep operating through the winter months
2. Provide ongoing maintenance as needed.