Elevation Fund — Impact Report #1 (Q1 2026)
Overview
The Elevation Fund is The Outsiders’ long-term commitment to supporting the next generation of outdoor talent across action sport and the creatives who tell their stories.
Q1 2026 builds on the initial pilot delivery in 2025, focused on mentorship, industry access, and real-world opportunity.
Casey Brown (Canada) and Connor Macfarlane (NZ) heli-biking in New Zealand as part of The Outsiders TRAIL Content Residency (February 2026) - Photographer credit: Jay French
Impact
Funding Deployed — Total to date: $4,000
$3,000 — Content challenge prize (Aug 2025)
$1,000 — Targeted micro-funding for local 15-year-old videographer to join filming project (Q1 2026)
Additional ~$20,000+ value delivered (not included in funding total)
40 participants supported without program fees (ordinarily ~$500 per participant)
People Supported — Total to date: 41+
15 year old videographer Oscar Searle (New Zealand) joined us on an Outsiders Content Residency shoot day where he filmed global MTB athletes Casey Brown and Connor Macfarlane heli-biking in a junior paid position. He is now a valued ongoing member of our crew after doing an incredible job.
Delivery & Outcomes
Talent Development Weekends — Wānaka (Aug 2025, Feb 2026)
2 programs delivered, 20 participants per program
Oversubscribed applications, reflecting strong demand
Delivered in partnership with Nikon New Zealand, Film Queenstown Lakes and Film Otago
August 2025 program included:
$3,000 content challenge prize
Mentorship from Justin Mayers (WestBank Media), director and filmmaker for global free-ski athletes Sammy Carlson and Colby Stevenson and Australian filmmaker Sam Levings
Pilot Talent Development Program delivered in Lake Hawea, New Zealand (August 2025)
February 2026 program included:
Mentorship from world-class MTB and outdoor commercial photographer Jay French
Technical training with Dakota Brown and Nikon New Zealand
Access to Nikon systems, including the Nikon Z series developed in collaboration with RED
Programs included:
Live Q&A on career pathways and commercial work
Hands-on workshops and technical training
Field-based shooting in real outdoor production environments
Outcomes:
97% of participants gained new industry connections (participant survey)
Increased confidence, practical experience, and clearer pathways into commercial work
“Thank you for organising this and making this available for us creators in Wanaka. The 'creative industry' can be hard to connect with other creatives as we don't always work together on the same projects. It was a great weekend not only to learn from industry professionals from different sides of the industry (eg Director/Producer but also marketing) and connect with like minded individuals!” — Bruno, Participant
“It was inspiring to see such a strong turnout of local talent, and we’re proud to have supported an initiative that will have lasting benefits for the region’s creative economy and community.” — Kahli Scott, Film Queenstown Lakes(pilot wrap press release)
Talent Development Program delivered in Lake Hawea, New Zealand (February 2026)
Q2 Focus
Supporting an existing global female MTB event series (elite athletes and academy participation with local youth athletes) across Japan, Canada, New Zealand and the United States through:
Securing accommodation via Outsiders’ tourism relationships
Working with partner brands to unlock funding for this grassroots event series
Continue building the advisory board and preparation to formally be set up as a standalone not-for-profit in the US in 2026 so we can expand impact.
About The Elevation Fund
The Elevation Fund provides support across the United States, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, guided by a clear funding mandate focused on:
Athlete film funding and industry connections
Creative development and mentorship
Grassroots event funding
Alongside direct funding, the Fund supports talent through curated development programs designed to provide real-world experience and industry access.
2026 is a foundational year focused on building alignment, establishing trusted partnerships, and formalising an Advisory Board across sport, events, and creative leadership. This will support the development of a partner-backed fund for deployment from 2027.
The Elevation Fund is designed to grow alongside The Outsiders — ensuring that as the business scales, funding, opportunity, and impact scale with it.
Want to get involved?
If you would like to support The Elevation Fund through funding, accommodation, gear, or opportunities for athletes and creatives, please reach out or schedule a chat in Michelle Bates calendar.
Michelle Bates
Founder & Executive Producer, The Outsiders
michelle@for-outsiders.com+61 422 383 229 (AUS)