Vermont Mountain Bike Association

What Vermont Mountain Bike Association does

Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 and headquartered in Waterbury, Vermont, that operates as the statewide advocacy and stewardship body for mountain biking. It coordinates a federated network of 28 chapters (up from 14 in 2012), which collectively maintain over 1,000 miles of trail, build roughly 22 new miles and repair over 50 miles annually, and contribute more than 30,000 volunteer hours per year. The organization employs approximately six full-time staff plus seasonal support, led by Executive Director Nick Bennette.

VMBA's core "product" is a tiered annual membership program (Individual, U25, and Family of 2-6 tiers starting at $40), supplemented by add-ons for Trail Centers, NEMBA, and Community Builders, plus a branded merchandise store, an annual bike raffle, and a structured donation program with preset tiers up to $5,000. Underlying technology is modest: an e-commerce website (vmba.org), a mobile app for member benefits and trail information (upgraded in 2025), a visitor guide platform (vtmtbguide.com), and trail counter infrastructure that has logged over 580,000 rides. The Velomont Trail cooperative project with Vermont Huts & Trails targets a 485-mile hut-serviced corridor, of which 180+ miles are complete or shovel-ready.

VMBA's revenue model is diversified across membership dues (over 90% pass-through to chapters), merchandise sales, individual and corporate donations, public grants (VOREC, Agency of Commerce, Department of Forests/Parks/Rec), and a Naming Grants program that connected eight corporate sponsors to over $40,000 in chapter trail funding in 2026. Customer segments include ~9,100 individual Vermont riders, non-local visiting riders (contributing ~$17M in overnight spending per VMBA's 2026 economic impact study), and corporate partners across outdoor, beverage, and equipment categories. Strategic priorities under VMBA's 2023-2028 plan emphasize Trails, Advocacy, Community, and Organization, with adaptive accessibility, climate/storm resilience (Major Storm Recovery Fund), and visitor-to-member conversion as active focus areas.

Name

Vermont Mountain Bike Association

Legal name

Vermont Mountain Bike Association

Website

https://vmba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vermont Mountain Bike Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that coordinates 28 chapters maintaining over 1,000 miles of trail across Vermont. It sells tiered memberships, merchandise, and Naming Grants, serving approximately 9,100 individual riders and corporate sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation Nonprofit Membership

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Mountain Biking & Cycling Adventure Centers (Trail Parks, Guiding) (THAAAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC), Cycling, Mountain Biking & E-Bike Adventure Tour Operators (THAAADAE), Cycling, Mountain Biking & E-bike Adventures (THAJABAF)

Keywords

• Trail advocacy services
• Nonprofit membership organization
• Outdoor recreation services
• Trail maintenance stewardship
• Mountain bike stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

South Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees starting from $40 for individual memberships, with family plans and Under-25 options. Membership includes velcro strips, welcome letter, member benefits list, VMBA sticker, and Chapter inserts. Over 90% of membership income is sent to Chapters.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including apparel, water bottles, accessories, and riding gear. Products range from $8 (Voile Strap) to $84 (hoodies). All proceeds support mountain biking in Vermont.
3. Donations: One-time and recurring annual donations at various levels (Buddy $100, Crew $250, Squad $500, Guide $1,000, Trail Steward $2,000, Hero $5,000). Chapter-specific donations also accepted. Major Storm Recovery Fund donations.
4. Bike Raffle: Annual bike raffle with entries from $5 (1 entry) to $500 (150 entries). Revenue supports VMBA operations.
5. Naming Grants Program: Corporate sponsors fund trail projects through naming grants. In 2026, eight companies contributed over $40,000 for trail projects across Vermont.
6. Trail, Chapter, and Adaptive Upgrade Grants: Over $120,000 directed to Chapters in 2025 through trail project funding, creating 22 miles of new trail and repairing/upgrading 50+ miles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VMBA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating through 28 local chapters to advocate for, build, and maintain mountain biking trails across Vermont. The core offering centers on annual membership subscriptions that fund trail stewardship, advocacy, and community engagement, complemented by a merchandise store, an annual bike raffle, and corporate sponsorship programs including Naming Grants and the Major Storm Recovery Fund.

Product overview

Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 that serves as the unified voice for mountain biking in Vermont through a network of 28 chapters. The organization offers a multi-tiered membership program (Individual, U25, and Family of 2-6), complemented by add-on options for Trail Centers, NEMBA, and Community Builders. A merchandise store offers branded apparel, accessories, and specialty collaborations. VMBA operates grant programs including Naming Grants that connect businesses with trail projects, and manages the Major Storm Recovery Fund for trail restoration after weather events. The association also runs an annual bike raffle and produces economic impact reports documenting mountain biking's contribution to Vermont's economy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Velomont Trail: A cooperative hut-to-hut mountain biking trail corridor project with Vermont Huts & Trails, envisioned as a 485-mile trail system
• Major Storm Recovery Fund
• Downhill in VT (DH in VT)
• Plan Your Ride
• Naming Grants
• Reward Volunteers
• MTB Retailers Alliance
• Adaptive Upgrade Grant
• Elevate

Products and services

• Annual Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• $27.9 million in direct visitor spending annually from mountain biking
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Royal GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $15,000 Naming Grant to Fellowship of the Wheel for Intermediate Accessible Summit Loop project.
• Concept 2 InccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $2,500 Naming Grant to Stowe Trails Partnership for Rooney Farm Project.
• Long Trail BrewingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $5,000 in Naming Grants split between Ascutney Trails Association and Woodstock Area Mountain Bike Association for trail projects.
• VBT VacationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $2,500 Naming Grant to Brewster River Mountain Bike Club for adaptive work at Cricket Hill.
• VelociocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $5,000 Naming Grant to Waterbury Area Trails Alliance for Disneyland upgrades at Perry Hill.
• SRAMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $5,000 Naming Grant to Southern Vermont Trails Association for adaptive green Cross Country Loop.
• Stowe CidercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $2,500 Naming Grant to Ridgeline Outdoor Collective for advanced black freeride trail.
• Cabot CreamerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Corporate sponsor providing $2,500 Naming Grant to Montpelier Area Mountain Bike Association for adaptive work in North Branch.
• Vermont AdaptivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on Adaptive Assessment program, reaching 14 trail systems and designating 38 additional miles of trail as aMTB-friendly.
• Kelly Brush FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration on Adaptive Assessment program for trail accessibility improvements.
• Vermont Huts & TrailscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative project partner on Velomont Trail, a 485-mile hut-serviced trail corridor vision.
• Vermont Trail Accessibility HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of Vermont Trail Accessibility Hub initiative.
• Vermont Trails & Greenways CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMBA chairs this council. Advocacy partner for outdoor recreation funding and economic impact studies.
• Vermont Trails AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for trail advocacy at state level.
• Green Mountain National ForestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal land management partner. Over 100 miles of newly-designated trail corridor approved for Velomont in GMNF.
• Trail Center PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatamount Family Outdoor Center, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Grafton Outdoor Center, Memphremagog Trails, Pine Hill Partnership, Smugglers' Notch, Trapp Family Lodge offer member benefits through VMBA program.
• New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional alliance offering joint membership options with VMBA.
• L&D TrailWorksminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProfessional trail building company leading VMBA Annual Chapter Trail Clinic at Perry Hill.
• Vermont Huts & TrailscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperative project partner on Velomont Trail, a 485-mile hut-serviced trail corridor vision.
• VORECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaboration. VMBA advocates for VOREC Community Grant Program funding, which has provided nearly $2.5M in support to projects since 2019.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: ATC is a national trail stewardship nonprofit that manages and protects the Appalachian Trail. It is comparable to VMBA in operating as a member-supported trail stewardship and advocacy organization, though focused on hiking rather than cycling.
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a national nonprofit that converts rail corridors into multi-use trails. Comparable to VMBA as a trail-focused advocacy and stewardship nonprofit with public funding leverage and a member base.
• Outdoor Industry Association: OIA is the national trade association for the outdoor recreation industry. It is adjacent to VMBA, serving as a higher-level industry advocacy and economic-impact data resource that VMBA leverages for state-level funding and corporate partnerships.

Others

• Leave No Trace: Leave No Trace is a national outdoor ethics and education nonprofit. It parallels VMBA in operating as a member-supported outdoor recreation nonprofit focused on responsible use of natural resources and community education.
• Surfrider Foundation: Surfrider is a grassroots coastal recreation advocacy nonprofit with a chapter network model similar to VMBA. Comparable in operating through local chapters, mobilizing volunteers, and advocating for outdoor access and stewardship.

Regional players

• Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports: Vermont Adaptive is a Vermont-based adaptive sports nonprofit that partners with VMBA on aMTB-friendly trail designation. It shares VMBA's Vermont geography, member-supported model, and focus on accessible outdoor recreation programming.
• Appalachian Mountain Bike Club: AMBC is a regional mountain bike advocacy and trail-building organization serving western North Carolina. Comparable to VMBA in operating multi-chapter trail networks, member-driven advocacy, and hosting cycling events in a defined region.

Direct peers

• New England Mountain Bike Association: NEMBA is a regional New England mountain bike advocacy nonprofit that offers joint membership with VMBA. It shares VMBA's chapter-based model and trail stewardship mission across a multi-state footprint.
• International Mountain Bicycling Association: IMBA is the national umbrella organization for mountain biking advocacy, trail building, and chapter support in the US. It directly parallels VMBA's mission and chapter model, but operates at a national rather than state level.

Emerging players

• Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association: RFMBA is a Colorado-based mountain bike advocacy nonprofit with a similar chapter-and-trail-stewardship model, albeit smaller in scale. Comparable to VMBA in mission, volunteer engagement, and corporate sponsorship programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/vmba802
• Xx.com/vmba802
• Facebookfacebook.com/VermontMountainBikeAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vermont-mountain-bike-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries30 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vermont Mountain Bike Association