EST. 2025 · BORN ON KILIMANJARO 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT

Go far.
Go together.
Leave it better.

A collective of endurance athletes, adventurers, friends, and stewards, that build community through miles, elevation, and the wild places we're determined to protect.

Our Story → Get Involved →
Next Up: Ironman 70.3 · May 17, 2026 1.2 mi Swim · 56 mi Bike · 13.1 mi Run Gear Drive Active · Boots, Tents, Layers Born on Kilimanjaro · Building Worldwide Next Up: Ironman 70.3 · May 17, 2026 1.2 mi Swim · 56 mi Bike · 13.1 mi Run Gear Drive Active · Boots, Tents, Layers Born on Kilimanjaro · Building Worldwide
01 — Origin
03°04′S 37°21′E Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Elevation: 19,341 ft October 2024

It started on the side of Kilimanjaro.

For years, our friend group has chased the next hard thing together. It started with a sprint triathlon in Kentucky, a couple of marathons, a 40-miler, a 50K in Ohio, and an Ironman 70.3 in Chattanooga. Each challenge brought our community of friends closer together.

In October 2024, we flew to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro. We met the guides and porters carrying our gear up the mountain. We got to know the support team well and enjoyed listening to their stories about the mountain. These were the folks that made our trip such a massive success. The higher we climbed, the more we noticed their gear.

The OIC founders with their guides and porters at a Kilimanjaro camp.
With the team · October 2024

Boots worn through. Some only had sneakers. Tents needing replacement. Jackets too thin for the altitudes they crossed weekly. The people guiding us up 19,341 ft. couldn't afford the gear required to do their jobs safely.

That was the fire. We came back, filed papers, and built Outdoor Impact Collective. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to closing the gap between the people who love wild places and the people who make them accessible. Through gear donations, trail stewardship, and the endurance events that brought us together in the first place.

Five OIC founders at the Uhuru Peak summit sign on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Uhuru Peak · 19,341 ft · October 2024
02 — Programs

Four ways we show up.

Our work spans continents and zip codes, but every program traces back to the same idea: take care of the people and places that make outdoor adventure possible.

/ 01 — GEAR FORWARD ● Active

Gear Forward

We collect donated and gently-used hiking, climbing, and trekking gear (boots, tents, layers, packs), and route it to guides on Mount Kilimanjaro who need it to do their jobs safely. The people carrying our packs up the world's wild places shouldn't be the ones least equipped to be there.

You can: Donate gear · Sponsor shipping · Reach out for questions
/ 02 — TRAIL STEWARDSHIP ● Active

Trail Stewardship

OIC organizers across multiple regions host trail work days, cleanups, and volunteer events with local organizations (we use any excuse to get on the trail). We pair training miles with stewardship hours. This might mean a Saturday long run becomes an afternoon of trail maintenance. Take care of the trails that take care of you.

You can: Join a workday · Volunteer at a race · Clean up a trail in your own region
/ 03 — FINANCIAL DONATION ● Active

Financial Donation

Direct support for the work behind the work. This includes gear procurement when donations fall short of demand, international shipping costs to get equipment onto the mountain, trail tools and supplies for stewardship days, and the unglamorous operations that keep a 501(c)(3) running. Every dollar matters.

You can: Give a one-time gift · Set up a recurring donation · Reach out for any questions regarding donations
/ 04 — SPONSOR AN EVENT ● Active

Sponsor an Endurance Event

Turn our miles into your impact. Back a specific OIC athlete chasing a finish line, sponsor a full event the collective is racing, or pledge per-mile across a swim, bike, or run. Your sponsorship funds gear and stewardship programs and makes an impact from the start line to finish.

You can: Sponsor an athlete · Sponsor a full event · Sponsor a mile
◆ Next Dispatch
Race Day · May 17, 2026 | Chattanooga, TN

Ironman 70.3

This is our longest and most challenging race yet.

1.2
Mile Swim
56
Mile Bike
13.1
Mile Run
CHATTANOOGA, TN
03 — Get Involved

Pick a way in.

Every program has a front door. All of these options move the mission forward.

Donate Gear

Boots, tents, layers, headlamps, etc. Your gently-used outdoor equipment finds a second life on Kilimanjaro.

Start a donation →

Volunteer Time

Trail work days, race aid stations, gear sorting drives. This is about showing up where it counts.

See upcoming days →

Donate Money

Tax-deductible contributions fund gear procurement, shipping logistics, and program operations.

Make a gift →