We are the Orienteering Foundation, a charity that promotes and supports orienteering, to bring all the benefits this amazing sport has to offer the people of the UK, and to ensure that our sport is here for the enjoyment of generations to come. Important areas of focus (but by no means the only ones!) include:
Club development | Volunteer effort project | Newcomer Retention | Technology innovation | Coaching Days | Legacy Program
Reach out to any of us to discuss any aspect of our work, including how you can Support Us and Apply for Funding.
We are governed by a Chair and a Board of Trustees, and supported by Ambassadors to reach the orienteering community. See Meet the Board, Meet our Ambassadors and Get in Touch to find your nearest Ambassador or Trustee, or talk to our administrator Viv Macdonald (email).
Follow us on Social Media (links below) or Subscribe to our Newsletter.
The Orienteering Foundation works to tackle emerging issues. We fund junior programmes, invest in elites, develop clubs, support adult coaching opportunities, developing ways to alleviate volunteer workloads, and sponsor projects leveraging new technologies in our sport. With your help we can do more.
South Wales Coaching Day 2025 report
Kerina Lake reports on the highly successful Orienteering Foundation coaching day hosted by Swansea Bay Orienteering Club (SBOC) on 8th November 2025 at Merthyr Mawr.
LVO Running Wild: Building Family Engagement and Junior Success
The “Running Wild” initiative, supported by an Orienteering Foundation grant to Lagan Valley Orienteers (LVO), has transformed junior and family participation in Northern Ireland orienteering. Over its first year, the project has delivered impressive membership growth, deeper family involvement, and a pipeline of juniors progressing to competitive levels.
Lakes Coaching Day 2025 report
A focused group of orienteers gathered at Black Beck on 1st November for a day of technical training supported by the Orienteering Foundation. Despite lower attendance than in previous years, participants made the most of the detailed terrain and expert coaching, with many applying their new skills at LOC’s Cumbrian Galoppen event the following day.
Bath University Mountaineering Club grant to attend British Orienteering Championships
The Orienteering Foundation has awarded a grant to Bath University Mountaineering Club (BUMC) to support their participation in the 2026 British Orienteering Championships in South Wales, enabling more students to experience high-level competition and develop their skills.
Clanfield Junior School grant for Community Orienteering Project
Clanfield Junior School has received a grant from the Orienteering Foundation to establish a permanent orienteering course, opening up new opportunities for pupils and the wider community to get active and connect with nature.
Growing Orienteering Roots in Gleadless Valley
Following the Orienteering Foundation’s grant to Heeley Trust earlier this year (see award), the "Explore Gleadless Valley" project has successfully introduced local families to orienteering through engaging community events. The initiative is helping build confidence, map-reading skills, and long-term participation in the sport.
Isobel Howard’s WOC 2025 Journey
The Orienteering Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of a grant to Isobel Howard, assisting with her participation as the travelling reserve for the GB women’s relay team at the 2025 World Orienteering Championships in Finland