How Gelato helps Yosemite Climbing Association preserve a legacy and fund the future

"I really do want to see our merch store grow a lot — and I see the potential for it too."

Jim T, Yosemite Climbing Association

YCA’s mission is threefold: preserving the past, engaging the present, and protecting the future of Yosemite climbing.

• The Yosemite Climbing Museum, opened by founder Ken Yager, houses over 10,000 artifacts — from century-old ropes and carabiners to boots worn during legendary ascents.

• Yosemite Facelift, their flagship annual cleanup event, has removed over 500 tons of trash from the park since its inception and draws thousands of volunteers each year.

• Climber outreach and advocacy programs help bridge the relationship between outdoor communities and the National Park Service.

“When Ken started the Facelift event, it was about healing the relationship between climbers and rangers. Now it’s the biggest cleanup in any U.S. National Park.”

Merchandise isn’t just a fundraising tool for the YCA — it’s a way to tell stories.

From t-shirts honoring the infamous 1970s “weed plane” crash (yes, really), to artwork inspired by historic climbs, each product supports both the nonprofit’s mission and its museum.

“We do things based on climbing history — like a design originally made by climbers back in the '70s. People love the stories behind them.”

But for years, logistics held them back. Inventory space was tight, order fulfillment was clunky, and international sales were impossible to manage.

That’s where Gelato changed everything.

“Doing print-on-demand is perfect for us. If we have 20 great designs, we can offer all 20 without having to hold stock. It’s finally easy.”

YCA’s Shopify-based store started seeing traction in 2024 — and today, they’ve fulfilled over 200 orders using Gelato, with volume rising month by month.

“The delivery speed is excellent, the quality is really good, and customer service has been amazing. It runs super smooth — and if there’s ever an issue, Gelato’s team fixes it fast.”

Print-on-demand has unlocked new possibilities:

• Posters, shirts, and more — all printed locally to the customer for faster delivery and less waste.

• Museum-quality merch that supports real conservation work.

• Global accessibility, with ambitions to expand further into Europe and beyond.

As a nonprofit, every dollar matters. Jim is exploring options for bulk discounts, international storefronts, and even custom mockups using Gelato’s new AI-powered tools.

“We want to make it easier to tell stories — like the plane crash story — with dedicated product pages, posters, and tees. If Gelato adds more technical or outdoor gear in the future, we’d be all over it.”

Jim sees a huge opportunity for other mission-driven organizations to adopt print-on-demand.

“This is an easy way for nonprofits to fundraise — without the upfront costs or complexity. Even with limited resources, you can reach people and tell your story.”

As YCA heads toward its next Yosemite Facelift event this September, they’re building more than just a merchandise store. They’re creating a digital extension of their museum — one print at a time.

“I really do want to see it grow. With Gelato, we finally have the tools to do it right.”