Lincoln Sports

What Lincoln Sports does

Lincoln Sports, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit recreational organization headquartered at 34 Gove Hill Road in Lincoln, Vermont. Founded in 1964 as a volunteer-run rope tow on gifted land, it has operated for more than 60 years as the principal provider of organized youth recreation, summer day camp, community events, and outdoor programming for the town of Lincoln and surrounding communities. The organization is governed entirely by a nine-member volunteer board of directors — all Lincoln residents — and has no paid staff. Its 55-acre property in the geographic center of town includes former ski-hill land, forest, river access, fields, pavilion, and an emerging trail network.

The organization's core programmatic offerings include three seasonal youth sports (basketball, soccer, and cross-country running), a summer day camp for ages 4-12 split into Kit (ages 4-6, 15-18 campers/week) and Fox (ages 7-12, 20-30 campers/week) at $240 per week with camperships available, and a multi-use trail system being built out to 9,000 total feet (with 1,200 feet of ADA-compliant boardwalk) for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and snowshoeing. Community programming centers on signature events including the Hill Country Holiday winter festival, World Cup Watch Parties, and the Hill Country Hustle Fun Run. The organization runs a Major Gifts Program ($10,000+ threshold), a Planned Giving/Bequest program, and targeted capital campaigns such as the ongoing tennis court restoration.

Lincoln Sports is funded almost entirely through a mix of community donations, foundation and government grants (VOREC Community Grant Program, ARPA funds from the Town of Lincoln), annual town budget allocations, and modest program fees from summer camp. In 2024, it received $221,500 from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation to support trail development, with Vermont Community Loan Fund providing bridge financing against the reimbursable award. The strategic plan targets 2030 and explicitly contemplates building toward year-round operation, a more diversified funding base, and potentially adding paid staff — currently the organization has none.

Name

Lincoln Sports

Legal name

Lincoln Sports Inc.

Website

https://lincolnsports.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Lincoln Sports is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Lincoln, Vermont that runs youth sports, summer day camp, and community events from a 55-acre property, governed by an all-volunteer board and funded through donations, grants, and town allocations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Recreation Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recreational & Intramural Sports Programs (MPAKACAG), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• Community recreation programs
• Youth sports leagues
• Summer day camp
• Outdoor trail networks
• Nonprofit fundraising

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Lincoln Sports relies heavily on community donations and fundraising campaigns. The organization runs targeted fundraising efforts such as the tennis court restoration campaign with a matching grant component ($9,750 goal). Donations can be made via credit card online or by mailing a check.
2. Major Gifts: Major gifts are defined as contributions of $10,000 or more. Types include direct one-time contributions, multi-year pledges, programmatic or restricted gifts for specific initiatives, and matching/challenge gifts that unlock additional community support.
3. Planned Giving and Bequests: Legacy giving options include bequests in wills, retirement plan beneficiary designations, gifts of life insurance, and donations of appreciated securities. The organization does not actively promote endowment gifts due to administrative fees and lower effectiveness at their current scale.
4. Government and Grant Funding: Lincoln Sports receives funding from Lancaster County (Nebraska) Visitors Improvement funding ($1 million allocated), town of Lincoln annual budget allocations for youth sports, summer camp camperships, and land management, and ARPA grants from the Town of Lincoln for infrastructure projects like parking lots.
5. Summer Camp Fees: Day camp program fees are $240 per week (8:30am to 3pm). Financial assistance (camperships) is available for families who cannot afford the full cost. The camp operates from the Lincoln Sports property with access to the New Haven River for water activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Lincoln Sports provides accessible recreational and outdoor experiences for the Lincoln, Vermont community from a 55-acre property, including free and low-cost youth sports (basketball, soccer, cross country running), a summer day camp for ages 4-12, a multi-use trail system, and intergenerational community events. The organization is governed by a volunteer board and funded through camp fees, donations, grants, and town allocations.

Product overview

Lincoln Sports is a private non-profit recreational organization in Lincoln, Vermont offering a portfolio of community recreation programs. The core offerings include youth sports (basketball, soccer, cross country), a summer day camp for ages 4-12 (Kit Camp and Fox Camp), and outdoor recreation via a 55-acre trail system with ADA-compliant access. Community programming includes the annual Hill Country Holiday festival, World Cup watch parties, Hill Country Hustle Fun Run, and pickleball/volleyball leagues. The organization also operates fundraising programs including major gifts, planned giving/bequests, and capital campaigns for facilities like tennis court restoration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lincoln Sports Day Camp Summer day camp offered to children ages 4-12 at $240 per week (8:30am to 3pm), running as two simultaneous age-tiered camps: Kit Camp (ages 4-6) and Fox Camp (ages 7-12). Programming includes outdoor adventure, crafts, field games, river play on the New Haven River, and nature discovery on the Lincoln Sports property. Camperships are available for families needing financial assistance. Typical enrollment is 20-30 children per week at Fox Camp and 15-18 at Kit Camp.
• Youth Basketball Program Free or low-cost recreational youth basketball program serving children in Lincoln, Vermont with seasonal leagues and volunteer coaching, part of the organization's youth sports portfolio.
• Youth Soccer Program Free or low-cost recreational youth soccer program providing seasonal soccer leagues and coaching for children in the Lincoln, Vermont community.
• Youth Cross Country/Running Program Free or low-cost youth cross country running program offering seasonal training and competitive opportunities for children in the Lincoln community.
• Trail System & Outdoor Recreation 55-acre outdoor trail network on the Lincoln Sports property providing free public access for mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Includes 9,000 feet of planned multi-use trails and 1,200 feet of ADA-compliant trail with raised wooden boardwalk for universal accessibility. Developed with VOREC and ARPA grant funding in partnership with L&D Trailworks and Long View Forest.
• Hill Country Holiday Annual community winter festival bringing together Lincoln residents for a parade, contra dance at Burnham Hall, spaghetti dinner, variety show, meatball contest, Jack Jump Race at the local fire station, and other intergenerational activities. Held in collaboration with community venues including Burnham Hall, Lincoln Library, and Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department.
• Hill Country Hustle Fun Run Annual 4K fun run/walk community event starting from Lincoln Sports Field and passing through Willard's Woods, with registration managed through the RunSignUp platform. Open to Lincoln area residents, families, and visitors.
• World Cup Watch Parties

Quantifiable outcome

• Camp enrollment: 20-30 children per week at Fox camp (ages 7-12) and 15-18 at Kit camp (ages 4-6)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Long View Forest (Alex Barrett)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlex Barrett from Long View Forest has supported Lincoln Sports from the beginning with forest management and consulting services. Long View Forestry completed a forest management plan for the Lincoln Sports property, which was the first step in developing the trail network for hiking, biking, and skiing.
• L&D TrailworkscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAfter reviewing potential local trailbuilders, Lincoln Sports chose L&D Trailworks to build their trails. L&D Trailworks is constructing 9,000 feet of multi-use trails and 1,200 feet of ADA-compliant boardwalk. They returned in June 2026 to complete the lower loop and begin work on the higher loop.
• Katie SparkesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKatie Sparkes is Lincoln Sports' grant writer consultant who helped tremendously with this and other grant applications. Contact: [email protected]. She is recommended for other nonprofits seeking grant writing support.
• Lincoln Community SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln Sports trail and outdoor programs create opportunities for learning and engagement for Lincoln Community School students alongside Lincoln Sports Camp programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Green Mountain Club: Vermont-based nonprofit stewarding the Long Trail system and promoting hiking, trail building, and outdoor recreation. Directly comparable to Lincoln Sports’ trail-building and stewardship mission on its 55-acre property, including its use of state grants and volunteer labor.
• Greater Burlington YMCA: Vermont-based YMCA branch providing community recreation, youth sports leagues, summer camps, and family programming in the same state. Directly comparable as a community recreation nonprofit offering the same mix of youth sports, day camp, and intergenerational programming.
• Mad River Valley Recreation District: Community recreation district serving Vermont’s Mad River Valley with youth and adult sports, trails, and community programs funded through municipal support and fees. Closely comparable as a small-town Vermont recreation organization combining youth sports, trails, and community facilities.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: National umbrella organization for YMCA branches providing youth sports, summer camps, and community recreation. Broadly comparable as the established national incumbent in the same community recreation and youth development space Lincoln Sports operates in.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit operating clubs offering sports, recreation, and educational programs for children and teens. Comparable at the mission level as a youth development organization leveraging recreation to serve community members.
• Scouting America: National youth development organization (formerly Boy Scouts of America) delivering outdoor adventure, camping, and community programming. Comparable as a large-scale outdoor- and youth-focused nonprofit whose model intersects Lincoln Sports’ camp and trail programming.

Others

• American Camp Association: National membership association supporting summer camps and youth development programs with accreditation and resources. Adjacent peer relevant to Lincoln Sports’ summer day camp operations and standards for safe, accessible programming.

Regional players

• Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports: Vermont nonprofit providing adaptive outdoor recreation and sports programming statewide. Comparable as a Vermont outdoor recreation nonprofit serving youth and adults, and a natural partnership candidate given Lincoln Sports’ ADA-compliant trail investments.
• Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Regional Girl Scouts council covering Vermont and New Hampshire, running outdoor programming, camps, and troop-based youth recreation. Comparable as a youth-development nonprofit with outdoor and camp programming in the same geography.
• Stowe Parks and Recreation: Municipal parks and recreation department for Stowe, Vermont, managing fields, trails, and community recreation programming. Comparable as a Vermont municipal/community recreation provider operating in the same state with overlapping youth and outdoor programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Lincoln Sports