Rei Cooperative Action Fund
The REI Cooperative Action Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Sumner, Washington. Founded in 2021, it operates as a community-driven grantmaking foundation dedicated to supporting organizations creating a more equitable and accessible outdoors. The organization employs 9 staff members and maintains a lean operational structure focused on its philanthropic mission.
Key facts about Rei Cooperative Action Fund
- EIN
- 85-4299419
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,485,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 304
- Average grant
- $27,911
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $7,287,068
- Primary geography
- California (23% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Rei Cooperative Action Fund funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Rei Cooperative Action Fund's 304 itemized 2024 grants were California (23%), Oregon (9%) and Washington (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (11 grants), Washington, DC (11 grants), Portland, OR (11 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (7 grants). 97% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Health and Nature Research" (10 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.3M
-11.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.5M
+25.1% YoY
Grant Count
304
+390.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$28K
-74.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To support nonprofits doing the essential work in making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Core Belief: Time outside and connection to nature is fundamental for the social, economic, and individual health and well-being of all people.
Vision: A world where everyone can experience the health and well-being benefits of nature.
The organization recognizes that millions of Americans lack access to the outdoors and many do not feel a sense of safety or belonging outside. The REI Cooperative Action Fund addresses this through three primary grantmaking initiatives:
Connecting People Outside
Supporting organizations led by and serving historically excluded communities—including Black and Indigenous communities, people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, people with physical disabilities, and women. Prioritizes organizations leveraging the outdoors as a tool for equity, healing, joy, social justice, civic action, youth development, and creativity. $18M+ donated to date.
Creating Space Outside
Ensuring equitable access to quality, close-to-home, culturally-relevant outdoor spaces and recreation opportunities (parks, trails, open space, waterways). Prioritizes community-led and natural climate solutions. $10M+ donated to date.
Centering Health Outside
Strengthening and amplifying research demonstrating that nature is critical for individual and community health and well-being. $7M+ donated to date.
Grantmaking
1. **Strategy Grants** – Support sector-wide initiatives including funding for research and tools, coalition building, narrative change, and capacity building. Organizations are identified by the REI Fund's grantmaking team, other funders, and the general public. The organization periodically partners with compensated leaders in the outdoor equity space to help select and vet grantees.
Review Cycle
. Recent grantee announcements have been made for both fall 2025 and spring 2025 cohorts.
Ready to take the next step with Rei Cooperative Action Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The REI Cooperative Action Fund funds nonprofits across the country. The organization's offices are located on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Duwamish Tribe and Puyallup Tribe.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 304 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Fiscal Year 2024:
- Revenue: $9.56M
- Expenses: $9.05M
- Total Assets: $7.29M
- Total Liabilities: $11.4k
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) public charity; tax-exempt since April 2021. EIN: 85-4299419
Rating: Earned a Three-Star rating with an 87% score based on Accountability & Finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,287,068 | $8,243,596 | $5,245,105 |
| Revenue | $9,560,905 | $9,381,381 | $6,565,561 |
| Expenses | $9,051,728 | $7,210,765 | $2,997,147 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $299,359 | $740 | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
410 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Rei Cooperative Action Fund
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Clemson University Foundation ($386,438), Ecologistics Inc ($300,000), Kidsgardeningorg ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CLEMSON UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION CLEMSON, SC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $386,438 |
| ECOLOGISTICS INC EUGENE, OR | GENERAL SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| KIDSGARDENINGORG BURLINGTON, VT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| THE REDFORD CENTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND IN SUPPORT OF PROJECT NATURE LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS, CA | HEALTH AND NATURE RESEARCH | $200,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON FOUNDATION SEATTLE, WA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $200,000 |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EAST LANSING, MI | HEALTH AND NATURE RESEARCH | $196,985 |
| CORIE REEVES AT OUTGROWN BEAVERTON, OR | GENERAL SUPPORT | $194,900 |
| EAST COAST GREENWAY ALLIANCE DURHAM, NC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $150,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Matthew Thurston – President
- Kristen Ragain – Founding Executive Director
- Michelle Kirkpatrick – Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEN STEELE | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| ERIC ARTZ | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| WILMA WALLACE | DIRECTOR, GEN COUNSEL THRU 01/24 | 1 | — |
| KATIE KNIFFEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SQUIRE SIMPSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHARON PHILPOTT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRIS CARR | DIRECTOR THRU 04/24 | 1 | — |
| DOGBERTO QUINTANA | DIRECTOR THRU 07/23 | 1 | — |
| MARC BEREJKA | PRESIDENT | 10 | — |
| KRISTEN RAGAIN | V.P. THRU 10/23, MANAGING DIRECTOR | 40 | — |
| JEREMY KELLY | TREASURER FROM 10/23 | 5 | — |
| RICK PALMER | TREASURER THRU 10/23 | 5 | — |
| RAELYNN HULSE | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The organization has announced multiple recent grantee cohorts, including fall 2025 and spring 2025 grant recipients. Individual grantees have publicly acknowledged awards, such as THOR (Trails Have Our Respect) receiving a $15,000 grant in 2025.
REI Cooperative Action Fund announces Fall 2025 grantees ...The REI Cooperative Action Fund maintains active engagement with the outdoor equity sector and continues to expand its grantmaking reach across the country.
REI Cooperative Action Fund announces Fall 2025 grantees ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rei Cooperative Action Fund fund?
**Mission:** To support nonprofits doing the essential work in making the outdoors more accessible and inclusive for everyone. **Core Belief:** Time outside and connection to nature is fundamental for the social, economic, and individual health and well-being of all people. **Vision:** A world where everyone can experience the health and well-being benefits of nature. The organization recognizes that millions of Americans lack access to the outdoors and many do not feel a sense of safety or bel…
How do I apply for a grant from Rei Cooperative Action Fund?
**Grantmaking Philosophy:** The organization employs a trust-based approach, offering mostly unrestricted, multiyear grants that give grantees flexibility to determine where grant dollars can have the greatest impact. This approach honors the expertise of grantees and their deep knowledge of the spaces and communities they serve. **Two Grantmaking Approaches:** 1. **Strategy Grants** – Support sector-wide initiatives including funding for research and tools, coalition building, narrative change…
Where does Rei Cooperative Action Fund make grants?
The REI Cooperative Action Fund funds nonprofits across the country. The organization's offices are located on the traditional homelands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Duwamish Tribe and Puyallup Tribe.
What size grants does Rei Cooperative Action Fund award?
In 2024, Rei Cooperative Action Fund awarded 304 grants totaling $8.5M — an average of about $28K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Rei Cooperative Action Fund's EIN?
Rei Cooperative Action Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-4299419. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rei Cooperative Action Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.