At the Front, we pride ourselves on being so much more than a gym. We truly care about about supporting, uplifting, and growing our surrounding community of both climbers and not-yet-climbers. Programs like the Impact Coalition allow us to do this.
With The Front Climbing Club Impact Coalition, we’re able to make a significant difference for local nonprofits that support causes near and dear to all of our hearts. Every Front member can partner with us through Impact Co. and donate to these local nonprofits by adding a monthly donation to their club membership dues. Members can pick their favorite of our four nonprofits to support, and we match those donations, dollar for dollar.
In 2022, we set an ambitious goal of matching up to $150,000 in donations. Because of our incredible members, we are well on our way to reaching that goal!
We hope you enjoy this report on the AMAZING work that all of our Impact Co. partners have done in the last few months. Be sure to connect with any of our team members if you want to learn more about becoming a part of the Impact Co.
- We have donated $137,180 in 2022 so far, meaning we’re on track to hit our 2022 $150,000 goal! Compare this to 2021, where The Front and its members donated $128,750.
- 37% of our membership base currently donates to the Impact Co.
- Most members who donate to the Impact Co. have been a member for less than five years
- 28% donate to clean energy organizations
- 26% donate to animal welfare organizations
- 21% donate to climbing-specific organizations
- 16% donate to organizations that address homelessness and mental health
- 5% donate to organizations that assist families impacted by domestic violence
- 4% donate to land conservation organizations
CAWS is Utah’s oldest animal rescue group. Their mission is to work with the community to help animals through rescue, foster, education, and adoption programs. They are an entirely volunteer-led organization, and all funds donated go directly to animal care.
CAWS Recent Stats:
Intake:
Cats: 269
Dogs: 481
Adoptions:
Cats: 411
Dogs: 494
Spay Surgeries:
Cats: 342
Dogs: 334
CAWS Plans for Next Quarter:
Slowed adoption rates, adoption returns, and a record number of requests for owner surrenders have been significant concerns for all shelters. This next quarter, CAWS plans to continue supporting our local and regional shelter partners by pulling animals considered most at risk or injured. This includes finding foster and adoption opportunities for the abundance of kittens born in the wild each year.CAWS Quarterly Success Story:
CAWS was thrilled to find a home for the lovely Lucy, a sweet 35-pound shepherd mix. She had a tough seven years before coming to CAWS, including enduring a broken femur, pelvis, and a dislocated hip. CAWS donations covered the entire cost of her surgery. She’s now on her way to her perfect forever home thanks to donations like those from the Impact Co.
CAWS Volunteer Opportunities:
CAWS is always in need of fosters, dog walkers, pet transporters, and more! All information about how to apply for open volunteer positions can be found on their website.
Utah Clean Energy is at the forefront of stopping energy waste, creating clean energy, and building a smart energy future for our community.
UCE Recent Stats:
With support from Impact Co., Utah Clean Energy organized the 6th Annual Utah Climate Week! The ultimate goal of Utah Climate Week is to engage Utahns and local leaders by discussing the risks associated with a changing climate and our opportunities for creating a safer, healthier, and more resilient future for Utah.
UCE organized with over a dozen organizations and businesses across Utah to host over twenty events, all dedicated to climate action. Participants included Utah Clean Energy, Utah Sustainable Business Coalition, Weber State University, Deer Valley Resort, Snowbird, Citizens Climate Lobby – Utah Chapter, Recycle Utah, republicEN, and the League of Women Voters.
Among the many events, Utah Clean Energy hosted a webinar about how Utahns can save energy and cut pollution with financial incentives from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. A recap of that webinar can be found here.
Utah Energy Code:
Buildings account for about 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions, making energy efficiency a massive climate change and air quality solution. Utah’s homes and buildings need to be built with the most up-to-date energy efficiency standards, and the experts at Utah Clean Energy are working tirelessly to make this happen. With the support of the Impact Co., they’ve already made big wins for air quality and climate in Utah.
During a public hearing on proposed amendments and updates to building codes for Utah, Utah’s Uniform Building Code Commission (an advisory body to the Utah Legislature) voted to adopt new building codes for the entire state. Energy Building codes set the minimum requirements for new buildings or major building remodels. This vote included specific codes that address the level of energy efficiency in new homes and commercial buildings.
This vote was a significant milestone in UCEs work to get new building codes adopted in Utah, and with them, significant energy savings for Utahns. The recommendation from the Utah Building Code Commission now goes to the Utah Legislature for consideration during the 2023 Legislative Session.
UCE Plans for Next Quarter:
UCE is gearing up for the legislative session, which will include bills around a Clean Energy Fund and the Utah Energy Code (see above). In addition, Utah Clean Energy is currently in the middle of updating their strategic plan. The strategic plan is a vital tool to prioritize Utah Clean Energy’s work over the next 3-5 years, and where and how their experts will focus their time.
UCE Quarterly Success Story:
Every year, UCE brings together hundreds of local air quality and climate advocates to build momentum around local climate action during their annual Party for Clean Power. This year’s event was their most successful yet, raising funds and igniting the next era of climate action! They even produced two short videos highlighting local action around climate change as part of the event. You can check them out below.
Utah Open Lands has been committed to preserving, protecting, and stewarding open space in our state since 1990. As Utah’s only statewide land trust, UOL works with landowners, government agencies, and communities to safeguard open spaces. Utah Open Lands’ focus areas include conservation, land stewardship, and conservation education.
UOL Recent Stats:
In 2016, Utah Open Lands protected 51 acres of land at South Eden Ranch, located on the north shoreline of Bear Lake. Bear Lake is the second largest natural freshwater lake found in Utah. Aside from being a fantastic place to visit, Bear Lake is a critical habitat for 31 Aquatic, 14 Raptor, and 32 terrestrial sensitive bird species. Bear Lake also provides a habitat for 4 endemic fish species and 11 endemic ostracods. Simply put, these fish and ostracods can only be found in Bear Lake.
Utah Open Lands now has the opportunity to protect an additional 518 acres of canyon land and shoreline at the South Eden Ranch. Saving this property safeguards views of the lake for numerous recreational users, but more importantly, it means water quality will be protected for the endemic species found in the canyon and the lake.
UOL Plans for Next Quarter:
Of the $3.7M necessary to protect this land, Utah Open Lands still needs $200,000. For the next quarter, all Impact Co. funding given to UOL will go directly to the Bear Lake preservation project. Your monthly contributions translate to tangible preservation of open space in an area of high recreational use!
UOL Quarterly Success Story:
In collaboration with the Utah Governor’s Office of Utah Outdoor Recreation grant, UOL successfully completed the restoration of Lake Lackawaxen within the Bonanza Flat Conservation Area!
Given the increase in foot traffic during the pandemic, the banks of Lake Lackawaxen began to erode as recreationists sought seclusion around the lake. The reduction of vegetation on the bank not only impacted the area’s scenic value but also threatened the existing tiger salamander population.
In partnership with Park City Municipal and Mountain Trails Foundation, UOL rerouted the trail to Lake Lackawaxen, reseeding and restoring these eroded areas. Signage has been installed to communicate to visitors the importance of closing pathways that lead to these vulnerable areas.
Volunteers of America, Utah provides a bridge to self-reliance and health for vulnerable individuals who struggle with homelessness, addiction, and mental illness in our communities.
VOA Recent Stats:
Impact Co. funds contributed to the continued operation of Volunteers of America, Utah’s Youth Resource Center – a comprehensive resource center and emergency shelter in Salt Lake City for youth ages 15-22 at imminent risk of or experiencing homelessness. The Youth Resource Center is a vital, accessible place where youth can find safety. It’s a safe space to heal from the adversities experienced while on the street and one that provides personal empowerment, skill building, and resources needed to become self-sufficient.
The Youth Resource Center facilities are staffed 24 hours/day, 365 days/year, co-locating several services under one roof. Their team provides essential drop-in services (basic needs, showers, laundry), emergency shelter, education services, legal services, employment services, medical and behavioral healthcare, and housing case management.
VOA Plans for Next Quarter:
During the next quarter, the Youth Resource Center will continue to work toward serving approximately 400 youth during the 2022-2023 fiscal year, empowering them to overcome trauma, gain self-sufficiency, and grow into thriving members of the community.
VOA Quarterly Success Story:
A female client named Naomi (name has been changed for confidentiality) came to the Youth Resource Center shortly after being released from the JSS (Juvenile Justice System). In her first meeting with a Youth Advocate, the determination to get a job and secure housing became clear. She was highly motivated and ready to move forward positively; she just needed to find the right opportunity.
Together with her Youth Advocate, Naomi created her first resume and began applying for jobs. Unfortunately, due to her background, she kept getting turned away. Employment Specialists and Youth Advocates continued providing encouragement and wraparound support as these first few rejections came through. Luckily, it wasn’t long before a local employer agreed to hire Naomi. Now, months later, she’s excelling within the company and has found permanent housing.
Supporters of the Youth Resource Center helped make Naomi’s transition from instability to self-sufficiency possible. Her past no longer limits her future.
VOA Volunteer Opportunities:
As VOA puts it, volunteers are the heartbeat of their program. Extra hands are always needed to prepare meals, serve meals, sort through donations, provide mentorship, or even assist with data entry. If you’d like to make a difference for at-risk youth, please check out all VOA volunteer opportunities on their website.
The YCC supports individuals and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence through safety, advocacy, and resources on their journey to safe and healthy lives. YCC proudly serves Weber and Morgan counties.
YCC Recent Stats:
The funds from this quarter of Impact Co. enabled YCC Family Crisis Center to continue their mission providing security, advocacy, and vital resources to individuals and families experiencing domestic or sexual violence. These funds allowed their team to provide rent and case management for two families for a month, preventing their homelessness. They also provided therapy to a survivor of sexual assault, shelter and meals, clothing for an individual in crisis, and childcare to a parent attending classes and counseling.
YCC Plans for Next Quarter:
YCC will continue to help those experiencing domestic violence and sexual assault within their community. YCC proudly stands in the corner of individuals and families in need. Your monthly donations are actively changing the lives of those in crisis, and we thank you for that.
YCC Quarterly Success Story:
“You’ve all been so wonderful to me! I will never forget the beautiful experience I had in transitioning from such a dark place!” – YCC Client
YCC Volunteer Opportunities:
The YCC has a variety of short-term and long-term group projects that rely on volunteers to accomplish. These opportunities range from helping with the “Spirit of Giving” holiday program to yard work, cleaning, assisting with fundraising events, and organizing supply drives. All opportunities and details on how to sign up can be found on their website.
You’re already part of the Impact Coalition, right? If not, no judgment! But definitely check out our yearly progress bar and sign up here – we’re stronger together!
