The backcountry radio brand expands support for North American Search & Rescue (SAR) teams through an annual grant program.
When things go awry in the wild, SAR teams are there to answer the call. Rocky Talkie helps them do their crucial work. And the backcountry communications specialists have stepped up again to support these frontline heroes with the 2025 SAR Awards.
Now in its sixth year, the SAR Awards program supports those who make the mountains, rivers and remote landscapes safer for all adventurers.
Applications are open through February 28, providing essential grants to underfunded SAR teams across North America—because when it comes to saving lives in the wild, every tool, every training session and every resource counts.
Since 2019, Rocky Talkie has pledged $2 from every radio sold to support volunteer rescue teams, launching the first official SAR Award in 2020. To date, over $156,000 has been funneled into essential gear, advanced training and operational upgrades—resources that can mean the difference between a successful rescue and a heartbreaking loss.
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“Search and Rescue teams are the unsung heroes of outdoor adventure,” says Bryce Jones, co-founder of Rocky Talkie. “Their dedication and expertise make the backcountry safer for all of us, and we’re honored to give back through this program. The SAR Awards ensure these teams have the tools they need to continue their lifesaving work.”
“Search & Rescue teams are the unsung heroes of outdoor adventure.”
For the men and women who respond when disaster strikes—often in brutal conditions, far from help—these grants aren’t just funding. They’re a lifeline. For the 2025 grant cycle, Rocky Talkie will award multiple grants across three funding levels :$5,000, $10,000 and $25,000.
SAR teams can select the grant level that best aligns with their financial needs when applying. Winners will be selected by a dedicated Selection Committee, ensuring funding reaches teams that will benefit most from additional resources.
How to Apply
The SAR Awards are open to all Search & Rescue teams operating as a non-profit or in partnership with a non-profit that accepts grants or donations to support the SAR team, in Canada or the US. Applications must be submitted by February 28. To learn more and apply, visit rockytalkie.com/pages/sar-award.
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