DEI at Touchstone Climbing
Touchstone Climbing is committed to inclusive gyms and an equitable sport. We recognize the barriers that have traditionally existed in the climbing world—both indoors and out—and are working to eradicate them where possible and empower everyone to overcome them where not. We have pinpointed nine strategic areas to work in toward these goals.
DEI Training
We commit to ingraining this personal, emotional, and necessary work into every aspect of our company culture. We have worked with the Raben Group in the past, and all of our corporate staff and managers are currently working through Theory of Enchantment. We are learning a lot through this program and plan to roll out company-wide soon.
Diversity in Hiring
We hire diverse staff—and we’re developing the structures to support them. We’ve found the best avenue to a diverse workforce is supporting a diverse climbing community. Toward this end, we host meetup groups and support local events that welcome people to the sport.
Removing the Cost Barrier
Our Access to Climbing (ATC) program helps minimize the cost barrier faced by all of those with lesser means. Our Financial Support Membership program involves a manual review and has helped support over 800 members in the community.
Community Youth Programs
We build bridges for community collaborations through schools, local organizations, and member initiatives to ensure our gyms represent and serve their neighborhoods. We want our gyms to be places where everyone in our communities can come together and climb, connect, work out, and be seen.
Youth Membership and Competition Programs
To ensure equitable access to our Team and Club programs as well as our After School and Summer Camps, we work with local organizations and offer financial support through our Access to Climbing (ATC) and Financial Support Membership.
Meetup Groups (BIPOC, LGBTIQ+, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups)
To help ensure our gyms are safe, diverse, and inclusive spaces for all, we offer ongoing support to affinity and meetup groups—including Black Rock Collective, Lagartijas, ParaCliffHangers, and more.
Organizations Further Afield
We financially support groups and causes working to increase diversity in climbing outdoors and throughout the country and continue our sponsorship of outdoor events. We provide opportunities for our staff to attend sponsored events so that they can build community, represent us, and return with knowledge and ideas for us to implement at our gyms. See the organizations we’ve partnered with.
Competition and Event Sponsorship
We want our big annual events to reflect the full climbing community and to be a safe and uplifting experience for all. We offer scholarships and discounts to underserved and under-represented groups to expand participation in our large annual climbing competitions like Woman Up, Battle of the Bay, and the Touchstone Climbing Series.
Diversity in Touchstone Athletics (BIPOC, LGBTIQ+, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups)
We amplify the stories and accomplishments of underrepresented groups and support them in their journeys. Learn more about our athletes and explore our meetup groups.
