Like most organizations, USA Climbing uses strategic planning as a tool to set and communicate its organizational aspirations, how it plans to achieve them, and the indicators it will use to measure progress. As a national governing body operating in coordination with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), we use a four-year planning cycle that aligns with the Olympic Games.

Our most recent strategic plan covers the years from 2025 to 2028. The plan outlines four pillars, each with strategic initiatives and intended outcomes, to further USA Climbing’s mission:

USA Climbing supports the well-being, development, and competitive excellence of our athletes as we advance the accessibility and growth of the climbing community nationwide.

To develop this plan, the USA Climbing Board of Directors established a 12-person Strategic Planning Task Force composed of athletes, coaches, routesetters, gym owners, volunteers, Board members, and staff. Their assignment is to gather and synthesize input from USA Climbing stakeholders and then develop a draft strategic plan for the Board to consider, revise if needed, and adopt by the end of December.

We are grateful to all who participated in surveys, listening sessions, and feedback opportunities throughout this process. Your input has been invaluable in shaping a clear, actionable plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of the climbing community.

Approximately 300 individuals completed surveys, and approximately 100 attended in-person or virtual listening sessions that were focused on key stakeholder groups including gym partners, coaches, routesetters, and volunteer Regional Coordinators. In addition, other groups including the joint committee formed by USA Climbing and the Climbing Wall Association, the Youth Series Task Force, the USA Climbing Athletes’ Commission, and existing committees such as Coaching, Routesetting, Athlete Safety, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are also working on issues and ideas that will feed into the development of the strategic plan.