The rigs, gear, and stories may draw people to Overland Expo, but the community’s impact extends well beyond the event series. Through the first three events of 2026, the Overland Expo Foundation has raised more than $48,000 while supporting education, volunteer stewardship, and projects that protect access to outdoor spaces, and there’s still plenty to do in 2026!
Raffles at Overland Expo SoCal, West, and PNW raised more than $10,000, $20,000, and $18,000, respectively. Not only did these raffles raise nearly $50,000, but each of those saw attendees walk away with thousands of dollars of prizes from our awesome sponsors and exhibitors. Those events also introduced hundreds of young attendees to the Overland Responsibly principles through RC driving courses and cleanup scavenger hunts.
As the events wind down, the Overland Expo Foundation is going to work. At Overland Expo West, volunteers collected more than 500 pounds of trash from the Fort Tuthill grounds. Then, just a few months later in Redmond, Oregon, at Overland Expo PNW, 25 volunteers gathered another 24 bags of litter weighing approximately 400 pounds. If that isn’t impressive enough, 2026 had double the volunteer participation compared to last year.
Those fundraising efforts help support a 2026 grant program totaling more than $62,000 across seven organizations. Recipients include Tread Lightly! and the National Forest Foundation for public-land infrastructure and responsible-recreation projects; Mountain Roots Food Project for youth outdoor education; and Engines for Change for a motorcycle training program focused on mobility, safety, and maintenance.
Additional grants will support Mind Over Land and Fox Bravo Overland expeditions for veterans, service members, and first responders, along with First Due Overland cleanup and restoration projects in Washington’s heavily used dispersed camping corridors.
The results are already visible near Arizona’s Edge of the World. In May, 20 volunteers working with Tread Lightly! installed a two-panel educational kiosk and trail signage, cleaned nearly six miles of trails, and removed approximately 500 pounds of garbage from the Coconino National Forest.
Together, these projects demonstrate how raffle tickets, donated gear, and a few volunteer hours can translate into cleaner campsites, better-informed visitors, expanded outdoor access, and stronger communities. To get more involved with the Overland Expo Foundation, be sure to contact them or, better yet, chat with the team at Overland Expo Mountain West, Overland Expo East, or a future event.
