Brown Girls Climb
Brown Girls Climb is a U.S. national non-profit that promotes mentorship, access, and leadership development for women and genderqueer People of the Global Majority in climbing and the outdoors, delivering tiered memberships, signature events, and a values-aligned marketplace.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLouisville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Brown Girls Climb does
Brown Girls Climb is a U.S. national non-profit, operating as Brown Girls Climb, LLC and headquartered in Louisville, Colorado. It facilitates mentorship, access, and leadership development for women and genderqueer People of the Global Majority in climbing and outdoor recreation, with the stated objective of addressing representation gaps in the industry. The organization has run programs since at least 2017, anchored by annual signature events including the Color the Crag climbing festival (co-created with Brothers of Climbing) and the Voices from the Valley speaker series, and it convenes regional programming in Colorado/Denver, the Bay Area, Washington DC, and San Diego.
Its product set comprises four membership tiers delivered through a self-serve website portal: a free Entry Level Membership for PGM women and genderqueer people; a $5/month Premium tier; a $50/year Premium tier; and a $20/month Ally-Up tier for non-PGM supporters. Membership benefits bundle access to a private community app, partner-gym discounts (Central Rock Gym, Movement, Mesa Rim, Earth Treks, Planet Granite, Sport Rock, Goat), waived initiation fees at Earth Treks and Planet Granite, free Intro to Climbing classes, gear rentals at meetups, and scholarship and employment opportunities. The platform stack is largely off-the-shelf: WordPress for the website, MailChimp for email, Social Warfare for social sharing, Bluehost for hosting, GiveButter for donations, and Printful for merchandise on-demand. The BGC Marketplace (launched 2021) is a values-aligned e-commerce storefront for BIPOC-owned brands, and merchandise is sold directly through Printful.
The revenue model is a hybrid of low-priced recurring subscriptions, donations, merchandise, and marketplace activity, supplemented by corporate sponsorship from outdoor-industry partners including The North Face, Vans, REI, Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Mountain Hardwear, and Evolv. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the website and physical through partner-gym locations. Headcount is reported at 1-10 with a current CEO (Brittany Leavitt), Senior Staff Advisor, Product & Membership Coordinator, and Web Manager, alongside several founding leaders no longer active. The organization has received at least one disclosed external grant: $40,000 from the REI Cooperative Action Fund in May 2024.
Brown Girls Climb firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Brown Girls Climb
- Legal name
- Brown Girls Climb, LLC
- Website
- https://browngirlsclimb.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Brown Girls Climb is a U.S. national non-profit that promotes mentorship, access, and leadership development for women and genderqueer People of the Global Majority in climbing and the outdoors, delivering tiered memberships, signature events, and a values-aligned marketplace.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Brown Girls Climb is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Louisville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Brown Girls Climb business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Subscriptions: Tiered membership program with free entry-level, premium monthly ($5/month) and annual ($50/year) options, plus Ally-Up monthly membership ($20/month) for non-PGM allies. Members receive access to community app, partner gym discounts, gear rentals, scholarships, and exclusive content.
- Donations: Accepts donations through GiveButter platform to support 2026 outdoor programs and community initiatives.
- Merchandise Sales: Sells branded merchandise through Printful print-on-demand service and The BGC Marketplace.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | BGC Community Entry Level Membership (Free) |
| Subscription | Monthly | BGC Community Premium Level Membership (Monthly) |
| Subscription | Annual | BGC Community Premium Level Membership (Annual) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Ally-Up Membership (Monthly) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Brown Girls Climb product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Brown Girls Climb sells tiered individual memberships (free Entry Level, paid Premium Monthly and Premium Annual) and an Ally-Up ally membership, runs community events such as the Color the Crag festival and Voices from the Valley speaker series, operates The BGC Marketplace aggregating BIPOC-owned outdoor brands, and sells print-on-demand BGC Merch. The organization is mission-driven (non-profit LLC) and primarily funded through membership fees, donations, and sponsorships.
Product overview
Brown Girls Climb operates as a membership-based community organization offering multiple tiered membership products for People of the Global Majority in climbing and outdoors. The core offerings include a free Entry Level Membership providing basic community access, two Premium Level Membership tiers (Monthly at $5/month and Annual at $50/year) offering enhanced benefits like gym discounts, scholarships, and gear access, and an Ally-Up Membership ($20/month) for non-PGM supporters. The organization also operates The BGC Marketplace, a values-based e-commerce platform supporting BIPOC-owned brands. Additional offerings include community events such as Color the Crag festival and Voices from the Valley speaker series, all centered on mentorship, access, leadership, and representation for women and genderqueer People of the Global Majority in climbing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The BGC Marketplace: A values-based shopping experience for outdoor enthusiasts committed to a better future for all, featuring BIPOC-owned companies
- WE ARE HERE
Products and services
- BGC Community - Entry Level Membership Free baseline community membership for People of the Global Majority (women, genderqueer, non-binary) in climbing and outdoor recreation, providing entry-level access to the Brown Girls Climb community.
- BGC Community - Premium Monthly Membership Paid monthly membership tier for community members seeking enhanced access to Brown Girls Climb programming, mentorship, and resources.
- BGC Community - Premium Annual Membership Paid annual membership tier for community members seeking enhanced access to Brown Girls Climb programming, mentorship, and resources on an annual billing basis.
- Ally-Up Membership
Quantifiable outcome
- Free Intro to Climbing classes and gear rentals provided at partner gyms
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Brown Girls Climb
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Brown Girls Climb technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Brown Girls Climb partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The North FacecoreMajor corporate partner providing Outdoor Advanced Training Program. Flagship partnership supporting diversity in climbing and outdoor access for PGM individuals.
- VanscoreFeatured partner in global initiative revolutionizing outdoor climbing. Partnership featured in Vice Magazine article.
- REIcoreCo-sponsored Voices from the Valley Speaker Series events featuring women of color in climbing and mountaineering. Long-standing partnership supporting events and panels.
- Movement GymcorePartner gym providing discounted day passes and co-hosting events including Women BOLDer collaborative event celebrating LGBTQ+ intersectionality.
- Central Rock GymcorePartner gym providing discounted day passes and meetup opportunities for BGC members.
- Earth TrekscorePartner gym with waived initiation fees for BGC premium members, providing access to climbing facilities.
- Planet GranitecorePartner gym with waived initiation fees for BGC premium members.
- Mesa RimcorePartner climbing gym providing member day passes and meetup opportunities.
- Sport Rock GymcorePartner gym providing discounted access for BGC community members.
- Arc'TeryxcorePartner for Pitons & Porters trivia event highlighting underrepresented identities in climbing and mountaineering.
- PatagoniacorePartner for Voices from the Valley Speaker Series 2018, supporting events in Bay Area and Washington DC.
- Outdoor AfrocoreCo-hosted 'Been Here' outdoor Afro Black History Month Climbing event in Denver, CO with guest speaker Philip Henderson.
- DMMminorPartner for Crag Love community discussion about interracial relationships in climbing and outdoors.
- Access FundcoreNational climbing advocacy organization partner supporting land access and conservation efforts.
- Brothers of ClimbingcoreCo-created Color the Crag climbing festival celebrating diversity and culture at HP40. Collaborative partnership for mutual mission of diversifying climbing.
- NOLScorePartner organization for outdoor education and leadership training programs.
- Women's WildernesscorePartner for women's wilderness programs and grants supporting leadership development.
- Flash FoxycorePartner for AMGA SPI Program providing professional climbing instruction certifications.
- Climbing for ChangecorePartner for Member Grant program supporting climbing access and education initiatives.
- In Solidarity ProjectcorePartner organization for panel presentations and community solidarity initiatives.
- Adaptive Climbing GroupcorePartner supporting adaptive and inclusive climbing opportunities for climbers with disabilities.
- Disabled HikerscorePartner organization supporting accessible outdoor experiences for hikers with disabilities.
- Diversify OutdoorscoreCoalition partner working to diversify the outdoors through advocacy and visibility.
- Indigenous Field GuidecorePartner centering Indigenous perspectives in outdoor education and guiding.
- Indigenous Women HikecorePartner organization supporting Indigenous women in outdoor recreation and advocacy.
- Leave No TracecorePartner for responsible outdoor recreation education and environmental stewardship.
- Avid 4 AdventurecorePartner providing adventure programming and outdoor experiences.
- Mountain HardwearminorCorporate partner supporting outdoor gear and apparel for the climbing community.
- EvolvminorCorporate partner providing climbing shoes and gear for the community.
- Latino OutdoorsminorPartner for Pancakes & Public Lands 2017 educational event on ethical environmentalism and public policy.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Brown Girls Climb competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Latino Outdoors: National organization leading Latinx participation in the outdoors through community-driven outings, events, and advocacy. Brown Girls Climb already partners with Latino Outdoors on joint programming, signaling direct mission and operational overlap.
- Women's Wilderness: Nonprofit providing wilderness-based education, leadership, and grants for women and genderqueer people. Comparable as a woman-centered outdoor community org delivering mentorship, scholarships, and skill development in outdoor settings.
- Flash Foxy: Women's climbing event and community organization that similarly builds climbing community for an underrepresented gender and offers climbing festivals, scholarships, and skill-building — directly comparable to BGC's event-led climbing programming.
- Disabled Hikers: Community organization enabling disabled people to access the outdoors through accessible trail information, events, and advocacy. A listed BGC partner, with parallel structure as an underrepresented-audience outdoor community nonprofit.
- Indigenous Women Hike: Community-led organization supporting Indigenous women in outdoor recreation and advocacy. Listed BGC partner with overlapping mission focus on Indigenous perspectives in the outdoors.
- Outdoor Afro: National nonprofit connecting Black people with nature and outdoor recreation through community programs. Mirrors BGC's mentorship, access, and leadership development model for an adjacent underrepresented segment of the outdoor community.
- Adaptive Climbing Group: Nonprofit dedicated to creating adaptive climbing opportunities and fostering community for climbers with disabilities. Directly comparable community-and-event model focused on accessibility in climbing.
- Diversify Outdoors: Coalition of organizations and individuals working to increase diversity in outdoor spaces and recreation. Brown Girls Climb is a coalition partner and shares the diversification-in-outdoors advocacy frame.
- Brothers of Climbing: National climbing community organization focused on climbers of color. Co-created Color the Crag with Brown Girls Climb and shares an overlapping mission to diversify climbing, making it the closest direct peer in both product (climbing community/events) and target audience.
Broad incumbents
- Leave No Trace: Established national nonprofit providing outdoor ethics education and stewardship training. Compares as an older, broader outdoor education nonprofit that BGC partners with for responsible outdoor recreation programming.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Brown Girls Climb social profiles
Digital presenceBrown Girls Climb financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Brown Girls Climb leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Brown Girls Climb funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Brown Girls Climb M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Brown Girls Climb
What does Brown Girls Climb do?
Brown Girls Climb sells tiered individual memberships (free Entry Level, paid Premium Monthly and Premium Annual) and an Ally-Up ally membership, runs community events such as the Color the Crag festival and Voices from the Valley speaker series, operates The BGC Marketplace aggregating BIPOC-owned outdoor brands, and sells print-on-demand BGC Merch. The organization is mission-driven (non-profit LLC) and primarily funded through membership fees, donations, and sponsorships.
Is Brown Girls Climb a public or private company?
Brown Girls Climb is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Brown Girls Climb founded?
Brown Girls Climb was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Brown Girls Climb based?
Brown Girls Climb is headquartered in Louisville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Brown Girls Climb make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are donations and merchandise Sales.
Who are Brown Girls Climb's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Latino Outdoors, Women's Wilderness, Flash Foxy, Disabled Hikers, Indigenous Women Hike, Outdoor Afro, Adaptive Climbing Group, Diversify Outdoors and Brothers of Climbing. Leave No Trace is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Brown Girls Climb have an API?
No public API is recorded for Brown Girls Climb.