ISPO Launches €1 Million Annual Foundation to Drive Environmental and Social Change

ISPO, the world’s leading sports and outdoor trade fair, has officially unveiled the ISPO Impact Foundation, an independent charitable organization dedicated to fostering positive, long-term change through the power of sport and outdoor recreation.

Coinciding with the launch, the organization announced an annual €1 million global grant fund designed to support non-profit initiatives that protect natural environments and cultivate healthier, more inclusive communities.

The ISPO Impact Foundation, launched today by trade fair organizer ISPO, will operate as an independent grant-making body focused on protecting natural environments and building more active, inclusive communities worldwide. The foundation represents one of the sports and outdoor industry's most significant commitments to channeling commercial success into tangible environmental and social impact.

The establishment of the Foundation marks a strategic evolution for the trade fair. While ISPO has long functioned as a central platform for the outdoor and sports industries, this initiative signals a transition from fostering industry connections to actively resourcing real-world solutions.

Mike Seaman, Group CEO of Raccoon Media Group, emphasized that the Foundation is designed to operate with total autonomy:

"Creating the ISPO Impact Foundation felt like the natural next step: a way to turn that passion into lasting, practical change. But it was always our intention that the Foundation would operate with full independence."

Andrew Denton, Chair of Trustees and CEO of the UK's Outdoor Industries Association, emphasized the foundation's strategic importance: "Healthy natural environments and widespread participation in outdoor recreation and sport are fundamental to the future of our sectors, as well as to the health of our planet."

Crucially, the foundation will operate independently from its founder, with all funding decisions made by an autonomous board of trustees and advisory council drawn from across the outdoor and sports sectors.

Grant Structure and Application Details

The Foundation is structured to support a diverse spectrum of projects, ranging from small, grassroots efforts to large-scale international programs. Applications from non-profit organizations worldwide will be accepted annually between June 1 and June 30.

Funding is distributed across four tiers to ensure accessibility for organizations of all sizes. Micro grants of €2,000 will target grassroots initiatives, while multi-year grants of up to €100,000 will be available for established organizations with potential for significant international impact. The structure aims to ensure accessibility for small community groups alongside major conservation projects.

General Manager of the ISPO Impact Foundation, Tanya Kenrick, expressed the urgency and vision behind the fund: "We are building something that will grow in impact every single year, and the Trustees, the Advisory Council and I are tremendously excited to begin partnering with the innovative, passionate organisations that will help shape what this Foundation becomes."

The foundation will accept applications from non-profit organizations globally between 1-30 June, offering four levels of funding designed to support projects of varying scale and ambition.

Governance and Expert Oversight

To ensure the fund remains impactful and neutral, the Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Trustees, led by Andrew Denton, Mark Held, and Hannah Lewis.

They are supported by an Advisory Council consisting of industry experts from major brands and retailers, including:

• Katrin Bauer (Ortovox)

• Ben Blishke (Intersport)

• Yasmin Dufournet (Salomon)

• Julian Lings (Specialized)

• Marie Måwe (WL Gore)

• Debbie Read (Equip Outdoor Technologies)

Tanya Kenrick, General Manager of the ISPO Impact Foundation, described the fund's potential as "genuinely extraordinary," noting that its annual structure would enable cumulative impact over time.

The move positions ISPO at the forefront of sports industry philanthropy, as trade organizations and commercial events increasingly face pressure to demonstrate tangible contributions to environmental and social causes that underpin their sectors.

Full application details are available at ispoimpactfoundation.org.