Success Story: Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA)

Yosemite Climbing Association Launches Yosemite Film Festival with Support from CSU Bakersfield SBDC

Location: Central California | Mariposa County | Mariposa

Business Type: Museum / Outdoor Recreation / Community Events

Small Business Center: CSU Bakersfield SBDC

Assistance Received: Funding Strategy, Marketing Support, Business Advising, and AI Tools

California State Assembly District: 8

California State Senate District: 4

Visit Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA) online

Yosemite Climbing Association (YCA) is a nonprofit museum based in Mariposa, California, dedicated to preserving the climbing history of Yosemite and making it public for people to admire and learn more about climbing. Beyond its museum, YCA is known for large community-based events such as the annual Yosemite Facelift, which brings volunteers together to clean up large amounts of trash in Yosemite National Park, by far the biggest economic driver in Mariposa County. 

YCA wanted to add another signature event to its calendar: a Yosemite Film Festival that would showcase climbing and nature films and help preserve and foster a love for the outdoors. YCA Managing Director Jim Thomsen reached out to the CSU Bakersfield SBDC for help organizing and executing a crowdfunding campaign to launch the festival and establish it as a yearly event. Jim and the team needed support with campaign planning, marketing messaging, and the creation of a Kickstarter video. The team was also curious about how AI tools could help them stay organized and generate ideas for the event, from festival panels to names for different portions of the program. 

Working with the CSU Bakersfield SBDC, YCA built its crowdfunding plan and produced the video featured on its Kickstarter campaign. The SBDC also provided direction on the marketing materials and messaging used for both the campaign and the festival itself, and helped the team put AI to work in the planning process. YCA used ChatGPT and Claude to decide on names for the festival, develop reward tier information, and format and reformat organizational documents and notes. AI notetakers such as Firefly and Zoom AI notes kept everyone on the same page about next steps, and when the team needed a crowdfunding answer immediately and their advisor was not available, they turned to AI for guidance. 

The Kickstarter campaign for the Yosemite Film Festival and Storyteller Summit ran this Spring. Against a goal of $15,000, the campaign raised $22,261, nearly 150% of the original target. That strong pre-sale gave YCA the resources to print merchandise, market the event, and attract larger films and filmmakers. The four-day festival in Yosemite Valley and enjoyed a successful turnout this Summer. 

Now YCA is looking ahead. The organization plans to market the next Yosemite Film Festival at this year’s Yosemite Facelift and is exploring possible sponsorship opportunities, with the Kickstarter results giving the festival a much higher chance of returning for a second year. 

“This was such a fun, crazy push and we really did do great!… the video turned out great. [We] thank [CSU Bakersfield SBDC] so much for being open to feedback and the back and forth that comes with making something this awesome!” said Katie Getz, YCA Director of Programs & Development, and Jim Thomsen, YCA Managing Director. 

From preserving climbing history to caring for the park and now bringing filmmakers and storytellers to Yosemite Valley, YCA continues to find new ways to share its love of the outdoors. Visit Yosemite Climbing Association online to learn more about the museum, the Yosemite Facelift, and the Yosemite Film Festival. 

And if you are in Central California and looking to launch a new venture, plan a crowdfunding campaign, or put AI tools to work for your business, connect with the CSU Bakersfield SBDC, part of the Central California SBDC Network, to learn about their one-on-one business advising, trainings, and funding and capital assistance. 

10/1/2026