Outdoor Asian

What Outdoor Asian does

Outdoor Asian is a U.S.-based nonprofit community organization founded around 2017-2019 with a mission to create a diverse and inclusive community of Asian and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the outdoors. The organization serves AAPI individuals and families who face underrepresentation in outdoor recreation and conservation spaces, providing free and subsidized access to hiking, climbing, birdwatching, tidepooling, mushroom foraging, camping, fishing, cycling, snow sports, and community/cultural events. It operates through 5 active state chapters (Washington, Colorado, Los Angeles, Oregon, Pennsylvania) plus a Chicago chapter and virtual participation options, with events coordinated via chapter-specific Facebook groups and broader outreach through Instagram (@outdoorasian) and a community blog.

The organization's core offering combines three interconnected programs: chapter-based outdoor activities (community chapter programs, trip and outing events), a storytelling/blog platform amplifying AAPI voices and experiences in nature, and a leadership development network connecting individuals to outdoor recreation and environmental-sector careers. The technology stack is conventional: a Wix-hosted website, social media channels, and Facebook groups — there are no proprietary software products, no mobile apps, and no APIs. The underlying "platform" is a community organizing and chapter coordination structure rather than a technical artifact.

Outdoor Asian's business model is nonprofit and donation-funded. All programs are free for participants, with some events using sliding-scale donation-based registration. Revenue sources include individual donations, community fundraising events, and institutional grants — the single disclosed funding event is a $50,000 grant from the REI Cooperative Action Fund in May 2024. The organization also relies on GiveBIG, Washington State's annual 24-hour giving day. It is volunteer-driven, with a small staff (1-10 employees), managed by a leadership team including a Communications Manager, Chapter Manager, and chapter-specific coordinators; co-founder Kaiwen, recognized as one of the National Park Conservation Association's Top 10 Under 40 in 2019, serves as Washington Strategic Advisor.

Name

Outdoor Asian

Legal name

Outdoor Asian

Website

https://outdoorasian.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Outdoor Asian is a U.S. nonprofit operating 5-6 state chapters that provide free outdoor recreation programs, community storytelling, and a leadership network for Asian and Pacific Islander communities across Washington, Colorado, Los Angeles, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Chicago.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Outdoor Recreation Services

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB), Community Environmental & Sustainability Events (Earth Day, Clean-Up Festivals) (MPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Outdoor recreation programs
• Community outdoor organizing
• AAPI outdoor advocacy
• Outdoor community chapters
• Cultural outdoor programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through campaigns like GiveBIG (Washington State's annual 24-hour giving day), individual donations, and community fundraising events to support free and subsidized programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Outdoor Asian organizes free and subsidized outdoor recreation programs, trips, outings, workshops, and volunteer days for Asian & Pacific Islander communities through local state chapters in the U.S. Its offerings combine guided outdoor activities (hiking, climbing, tidepooling, mushroom foraging, fishing, cycling, snow sports, camping) with cultural storytelling via a community blog and a leadership development network that builds pathways for AAPI representation in outdoor recreation and environmental sectors.

Product overview

Outdoor Asian is a community nonprofit organization offering a platform of interconnected programs: local chapter-based outdoor activities (hiking, climbing, fishing, tidepooling, cultural events), a blog for community storytelling, and a leadership network connecting AAPI individuals to outdoor recreation and environmental careers. The organization operates through 6 regional chapters (Washington, Colorado, Los Angeles, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Chicago) providing free and subsidized programming for the AAPI community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Chapter Programs Locally organized outdoor community programming for Asian & Pacific Islander individuals and families across five active U.S. state chapters (Washington, Colorado, Los Angeles, Oregon, Pennsylvania), plus newer and former chapters in Chicago and Vermont. Programs are free or subsidized and provide a safe affinity space for AANHPI participation in outdoor recreation.
• Trip and Outing Events Guided trips, outings, workshops, and meetups offered through Outdoor Asian's local chapters. Activities include hiking, rock climbing, tidepooling, fishing, mushroom foraging, cultural and historical tours, and volunteer days. Events are RSVP-managed through chapter Facebook groups.
• Outdoor Asian Blog A community blog featuring stories, essays, and reflections on outdoor experiences, cultural identity, and conservation, written by AAPI community members and guest contributors. The blog serves as Outdoor Asian's storytelling platform and is publicly accessible at outdoorasian.com/blog.
• Leadership Development Network A network connecting AAPI individuals to mentors, peers, and career pathways in the outdoor recreation and environmental sectors, with the goal of building the next generation of AAPI leaders in conservation and outdoor industries.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Latino OutdoorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for joint outdoor events including tidepooling activities, Earth Day trips (Yellow Island with Outdoor Afro), and community mixers. Co-hosted events create intersectional BIPOC outdoor spaces.
• Outdoor AfrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Earth Day trip to Yellow Island with Latino Outdoors. Partnership connects Black and API communities in outdoor spaces and promotes cross-cultural outdoor experiences.
• Wilderness SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Trailhead Direct bus service enabling car-free access to hikes like Little Si. Provides transportation infrastructure for outdoor access.
• Seattle Bouldering ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for climb nights with $12 day passes including shoe rentals. Ongoing partnership for regular climbing events.
• Edgeworks TacomaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for climb nights with $12 day passes including shoe rentals. Ongoing partnership for regular climbing events.
• Patagonia SeattleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for movie screening events including 'The Scale of Hope' with virtual Q&A. Provides event space for community programming.
• Washington Trails AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured the Washington chapter's work, providing media exposure and credibility for the organization.
• Mount St. Helens InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for mushroom foraging trip in Cougar, WA. Expert-led educational outdoor experience.
• ChuMinh Tofu's Eggrolls Mutual AidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer partnership for Tết (Vietnamese New Year) meal preparation and distribution. Community service and mutual aid collaboration.
• Nature ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYellow Island (San Juan Islands) managed by Nature Conservancy - destination for Earth Day beach clean-up and marine biology learning trip.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships with NPS sites including Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and Olympic National Park. Virtual panel discussions with AAPI NPS employees.
• The Wing Luke MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Redlining Heritage Trail Tour - historical and cultural education connecting community to local Asian American history.
• Refuge Outdoor FestivalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual BIPOC outdoor festival participation. Connect with broader BIPOC outdoor community, share hotpot, and build relationships.
• Discover Your NorthwestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNPS nonprofit partner providing America the Beautiful passes to volunteers at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park events.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Latino Outdoors: Community-based nonprofit creating Latino leadership in the outdoors through local chapter outings, volunteer stewardship, and partnerships. Shares Outdoor Asian's affinity-driven chapter model, free programming, and explicit partnership alliance.
• Outdoor Afro: Nonprofit connecting Black communities to outdoor experiences through chapter-based programming, events, and leadership development. Most directly comparable peer given shared BIPOC outdoor community model, chapter structure, and joint event partnerships with Outdoor Asian.
• GirlTrek: Largest nonprofit mobilizing Black women and girls to walk in their neighborhoods and public spaces. Comparable as a community-driven, identity-affinity outdoor/health organization using local chapters, free programming, and digital content.
• Melanin Base Camp: Media platform and community hub elevating Black, Indigenous, and people of color in outdoor adventure. Comparable mission focus on BIPOC outdoor representation, content-driven community building, and event programming.
• Brown Girls Climb: Nonprofit creating representation, community, and opportunity for women of color in climbing. Directly comparable identity-affinity outdoor community model with programming, content, and partnerships.
• Indigenous Women Hike: Community-led organization providing safe, supportive hiking spaces for Indigenous women and allies. Shares affinity-based, culturally grounded outdoor programming model.

Others

• Washington Trails Association: Pacific Northwest trails advocacy and maintenance nonprofit and existing Outdoor Asian partner. Comparable as outdoor stewardship organization, though focused on trail infrastructure rather than community programming.

Broad incumbents

• The Mountaineers: Pacific Northwest-based outdoor recreation club offering trips, courses, and conservation programs. Comparable as a regional outdoor programming organization, though not affinity-specific.
• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School): Established nonprofit wilderness education provider offering outdoor skills courses and leadership development. Comparable in the leadership pipeline and outdoor education dimensions of Outdoor Asian's mission.

Emerging players

• Flash Foxy: Women's climbing collective and event organizer focused on inclusive climbing community. Overlaps with Outdoor Asian on identity-affinity outdoor community building and event programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OutdoorAsian
• Instagraminstagram.com/outdoorasian
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/outdoor-asian

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Outdoor Asian