ZACK MARTIN BREAKING BARRIERS GRANT
“The only barrier holding you back is yourself” - Zack Martin
The Zack Martin Breaking Barriers (ZMBB) Grant was created in memory of Zack Martin, an avid climber and humanitarian who died just before his 25th birthday. Concerned about the failure to ‘pay it forward’ and help those in the places he climbed, Zack committed himself to perform humanitarian services in the local communities in which he explored. His efforts were supported through multiple grants including ones from the American Alpine Club (AAC) and the Anatoli Boukreev Grant. Zach championed “breaking barriers” in the alpine environment, and “breaking barriers” in the heart of man.
This grant seeks to fund expeditions that focus, primarily, on humanitarian efforts and, secondly, on an objective involving alpinism, mountaineering, rock/ice climbing and bouldering. Exploration in other areas such as ski mountaineering, river exploration etc. that lead to a greater understanding and improvement of the alpine environment could be considered for the grant. Successful candidates will demonstrate how their expedition fully encompasses both tenets of this grant.
AWARDS
One or two grants up to $5,000 will be awarded annually to individuals or small teams that best meet the criteria.
APPLICATION PERIOD
The Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant accepts applications October 3, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Awards are typically given in early Spring.
CRITERIA / GUIDELINES
Humanitarian objective
Must have immediate impact, be sustainable, feasible and assure continuity to provide benefits to local people after initial implementation. Ideally, objectives will teach locals “how to”, enable ‘infrastructure’ and provide some level of continued support and funding. Recipients are evaluated on overall impact, with a high expectation of service to that local community.
Alpine objective
Must focus on alpine related adventure and/or discovery in the natural environment. A non-alpine adventure or exploration activity could be considered if the non-alpine objective leads to enhancement of the alpine/climbing/mountaineering environment.
For individuals of all ages and all experience levels.
Awarded to individuals and/or small teams (one application).
Objective can be for domestic and/or international expeditions.
Applicant(s) must be U.S. citizens or green card holders to apply.
Applicant(s) do not have to be current AAC members, but will be asked to become a member if selected.
Applicant(s) are strongly encouraged to obtain additional funding and sponsors.
RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
If for any reason the project is canceled or significantly changed, awarded funds must be returned to the AAC in full. When you know your final travel dates, please let the Grants Manager know.
Funds must be used within one year of the grant award date. If, after a grant is awarded, additional funding is obtained and the grant funds are no longer needed, or if an expedition is “over funded,” the recipient is asked to return all surplus funds to the AAC.
Upon returning, all Grant Recipients are required to submit to the AAC a written Trip Report including no less than five, high-quality and high-resolution photos. In general, Trip Reports should incorporate a brief written component, ideally 500-1,500 words, giving a general summary of the trip. Appropriate imagery that aids to illustrate these components should also be included. (Due within 60-90 days of trip completion).
Grant Recipients may be asked to provide high-quality photography and/or videography illustrating the visual aspects and experiences of the expedition, including imagery that exemplifies the AAC brand and incorporates the AAC logo. Any photos/videos submitted with the trip report remain property of the grantees, but the AAC may reproduce submitted photos/videos in any manner for marketing or promotional purposes.
Recipients agree to mention the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant as well as their support from the AAC if speaking about the grant publicly.
Awardees may be asked by the AAC to give a public presentation about your grant at Club events such as the Craggin' Classic Series or chapter/section events. It is expected that recipients participate in these callings and mention the support of the AAC when speaking about the expedition.
Grant Recipients will act as American Alpine Club ambassadors to the domestic and international climbing communities and are expected to champion the mission, values, and support of the Club. Recipients should do their best to practice environmentally low impact and leave no trace ethics, acting as strong mountain stewards.
Failure to submit Trip Report within the allotted time or failure to comply with any of the points listed here will result in the applicant being ineligible for future AAC grants.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Proposals are accepted for expeditions occurring within one calendar year of the award date.
Funding shall not be released to recipients until necessary permits and/or visas have been obtained.
If for any reason the project is canceled or significantly altered, recipients must contact the AAC Grants Manager. If requested, all awarded funds must be returned to the AAC in full.
ZMBB PAST RECIPIENTS
2020, 2021 - No recipient due to COVID-19
2023
Mike Libecki
FEATURED RECIPIENT
At 12-years-old, Lilliana Libecki has seen more of the world than most will in their lifetime. She has visited 16 countries, all seven continents and has now summited Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding mountain in the world. With a passion for adventure and humanitarian work inherited from her parents, Lilliana hopes to continue to help the planet and its people.
On this trip, funded in part by a ZMBB grant, Lilliana not only visits her seventh continent, she planned the adventure around a "Share the Sun" solar project that lit an orphanage.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Chair: John Parsons