Crag Care Fund now open for applications and donations

The Crag Care Fund provides support for:

• Projects that improve climbing safety, such as replacing or repairing unsafe bolts, anchors, and fixed lines.
• Projects that protect and enhance long-term access, including signage, toilets, tracks, fencing, and conservation work.

The Crag Care Fund honours Kimi’s legacy by reducing risks from unsafe fixed equipment, while also broadening its impact to ensure Aotearoa’s climbing areas remain accessible and sustainable for future generations. It is now intended to be a permanent fund that balances grants with revenue.

Please consider donating to keep Kimi's legacy alive and to keep Aotearoa’s climbing areas safe, open, and sustainable.

The Kimi Worrell Fund was set up by Kimi’s close friends and family with funds raised from the climbing community. Their aim was to replace unsafe gear around the country to prevent similar accidents from happening in future. ACAT has administered the Fund since 2022 and has made several grants helping to keep climbers safe.
 
The Crag Care Fund continues this legacy, expanding its purpose to include a wider range of safety, access, and conservation projects, and aiming to become a permanent Fund. This transition reflects the climbing community’s commitment not only to reducing risk, but also to caring for the environments that make climbing possible — ensuring our crags remain safe, open, and sustainable for everyone.

What we cover

• Replacement or repair of unsafe bolts, anchors, rappel stations, or fixed access lines.
• Installation of new fixed safety equipment where appropriate.
• Access and infrastructure improvements such as signage, toilets, access tracks, parking, gates, stiles, or fencing.
• Conservation or maintenance projects that support ongoing climbing access.
• Grants of up to $1,000 may be fully funded. Larger projects may receive part-funding alongside other sources such as club contributions, crowdfunding, or partner funds.

What we do not cover

• New route development (please see the NZAC Bolting Fund).
• Retrobolting of traditional or mixed routes with adequate protection.
• Projects carried out before an application is approved.
• Projects without landowner permission or community consultation, where these are appropriate.

Applying for a grant

To apply for a grant from the Crag Care Fund, please:

1. Read the Criteria and Guidelines for Applicants in the Crag Care Fund application form.
2. Send the completed application form and supporting documents (quotes, photos, permissions) to the email address in the form.

Applications may be submitted at any time and will be considered individually as they are received. ACAT encourages early engagement — contact us to discuss your project, confirm eligibility, and get advice on design or co-funding options before you apply.

Successful applicants will be expected to submit a short report and photographs when the project is complete.

When to apply for a grant

You must apply before carrying out any work. We cannot guarantee that your application will result in a grant being given.

You can make an application even if you are unable to fix or address the issue yourself. We may be able to find someone else who can help implement a solution.

 Crag Care Fund application form