Adaptive Climbing Group
Adaptive Climbing Group is the largest US national adaptive climbing nonprofit, founded in 2012, operating seven regional chapters that deliver indoor, outdoor, youth, and competitive paraclimbing programs to 1,000+ participants with disabilities annually through gym partnerships and a volunteer-led model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Adaptive Climbing Group does
Adaptive Climbing Group (ACG) is a US nonprofit organization founded in 2012 by Kareemah Batts that provides adaptive climbing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. ACG is the largest national adaptive climbing program in the United States, serving 1,000+ participants annually across seven regional chapters — New York City, Greater New York, Northern New Jersey, Massachusetts, Chicago, Southeast (Memphis), and Hawaii (O'ahu). Programs span indoor climbing sessions, outdoor rock and ice trips, youth climbing, and a three-tier National Athlete Team that sponsors competitive paraclimbers. The four recognized paraclimbing categories supported are Amputation/Limb Difference, Neurological, Spinal Cord Injury, and Visual Impairment.
Core products and proprietary assets include the "On and Off the Wall" disability etiquette training curriculum, the only paraclimber-specific competition training camos in the sport (produced since 2017), and the Adaptive Climbing Classification System recognized by USA Climbing and the International Federation of Sport Climbing. Programming is delivered by belay-certified volunteers under disability- and person of color-led local chapter leadership, through partnerships with marquee gym operators including Brooklyn Boulders, Boston Bouldering Project, Central Rock Gym, Gravity Vault, Movement, MetroRock, HiClimb, and Memphis Rox.
ACG's revenue model is donation-based: tax-deductible individual donations (one-time and monthly at suggested tiers of $25–$1,000), in-kind and cash corporate sponsorships from outdoor and climbing brands (Black Diamond Equipment, Adidas Terrex, Backcountry.com, Evolv, BioLite, The North Face), a $11 per-session participant contribution routed through the Brooklyn Boulders Foundation, and institutional grants including a $40,000 REI Cooperative Action Fund award in May 2024. ACG submitted an independent 501(c)(3) application (EIN 85-1718523) in 2025 after ending its fiscal sponsorship with the American Alpine Club.
Adaptive Climbing Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Adaptive Climbing Group
- Legal name
- Adaptive Climbing Group
- Website
- https://adaptiveclimbinggroup.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Adaptive Climbing Group is the largest US national adaptive climbing nonprofit, founded in 2012, operating seven regional chapters that deliver indoor, outdoor, youth, and competitive paraclimbing programs to 1,000+ participants with disabilities annually through gym partnerships and a volunteer-led model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Adaptive Climbing Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adaptive Sports Services
- NAICS
- Civic and Social Organizations (81341)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK), Adaptive & Para-Sport Event Organizers (MPAKADAM)
Keywords
Where Adaptive Climbing Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Adaptive Climbing Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: One-time and recurring monthly donations from individuals that fuel programs, keep participant costs low, purchase equipment, fund outdoor trips, sponsor athletes, and maintain regular programming. Donations are tax-deductible as ACG is a 501(c)(3) organization.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Gear and financial contributions from corporate sponsors including Black Diamond Equipment, Adidas Terrex, Backcountry.com, Evolv, and BioLite. Sponsors provide equipment and funding that supports programs and athlete development.
- Program Participation Fees: $11 per indoor session contribution from participants (tax-deductible donation to Brooklyn Boulders Foundation). Outdoor trip costs vary based on type, length, and location, with financing assistance available based on need.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Per session | Standard indoor session contribution |
| Other | Per trip | Outdoor climbing trips |
| Other | Monthly | Donation amounts |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Adaptive Climbing Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Adaptive Climbing Group (ACG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers affordable indoor, outdoor, youth, and competitive paraclimbing programs for individuals with physical disabilities across seven regional chapters. It also provides paraclimbing athlete sponsorships, disability etiquette training, and organizational partnerships with gyms, hospitals, and rehabilitation clinics. Participants contribute a $11 tax-deductible donation per indoor session, with outdoor trip costs varying by type, length, and location.
Product overview
Adaptive Climbing Group is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of adaptive climbing programs and services. The core offerings include Indoor Climbing Sessions (regular sessions at gym partners in multiple regions), Outdoor Climbing (rock and ice trips led by professional guides), Youth Climbing (monthly sessions for young climbers), and the National Athlete Team (three-level paraclimbing sponsorship for competitive athletes). Additional offerings include a Volunteer Program (belay-certified volunteers for events), Organizational Partnerships (hospitals, clinics), Corporate Sponsorship opportunities, and Donations (one-time and monthly giving). The organization also provides disability etiquette training and produces specialized competition gear. Participants pay $11 per indoor session. The organization has chapters in New York City, Greater New York, Northern New Jersey, Massachusetts, Chicago, Southeast, and Hawaii, partnering with various climbing gyms nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Indoor Climbing Sessions Regular indoor adaptive climbing sessions held at partner gyms across NYC, Massachusetts, Chicago, Greater NY, Northern NJ, Memphis, and Hawaii, fostering an inclusive community for climbers of all skill levels. Participants contribute a $11 tax-deductible donation per session.
- Outdoor Climbing Trips Year-round outdoor adaptive climbing trips on rock and ice led by professional guide partners, designed to be affordable and accessible to climbers of all ages and abilities. Costs vary by trip, with financing assistance available based on need.
- Youth Climbing Program Monthly indoor climbing group events specifically designed for young adaptive climbers, encouraging parents, friends, and other family members to attend and participate alongside them.
- National Athlete Team / Paraclimbing Sponsorships Three levels of sponsorship for competitive adaptive climbers nationwide covering gear costs, training, competition registrations, travel, and lodging across the Amputation/Limb Difference, Neurological, Spinal Cord Injury, and Visual Impairment categories.
- Donations Program Tax-deductible one-time and monthly giving options to fund adaptive climbing trips, purchase gear, support the athlete team, and keep program costs low for participants. Suggested amounts include $25, $50, $100, $250, $500, and $1,000.
- Corporate Sponsorship Partnerships with corporate sponsors providing gear and financial contributions to support ACG's adaptive climbing programs and competitive athletes, including Black Diamond Equipment, Adidas Terrex, Backcountry.com, Evolv, BioLite, and The North Face.
- Volunteer Program Recruitment and training of belay-certified volunteers who donate their time at indoor adaptive climbing events after completing a short disability etiquette training; no prior adaptive climbing experience required.
- Organizational Partnerships Partnerships with organizations of all sizes — including hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and gyms — to extend adaptive climbing opportunities to new adaptive communities and provide community reintegration programming.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1000+ participants served annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Adaptive Climbing Group
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Adaptive Climbing Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Adaptive Climbing Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.
- Black Diamond EquipmentmajorCorporate sponsor providing gear donations to support adaptive climbing programs and athletes.
- Adidas TerrexmajorCorporate sponsor supporting ACG mission with gear and financial contributions.
- Backcountry.commajorCorporate sponsor providing gear donations for adaptive climbing programs.
- EvolvmajorCorporate sponsor contributing gear to support adaptive climbers.
- BioLitemajorCorporate sponsor supporting ACG with gear donations.
- The North FacemajorCorporate sponsor providing gear support for adaptive climbing programs.
- Brooklyn BoulderscoreOriginal partner where ACG started in 2012. Hosts multiple weekly sessions and monthly youth sessions. NYC locations include Movement LIC, Brooklyn Boulders Queensbridge, MetroRock Bushwick, Movement Gowanus. Chicago location hosts weekly indoor climbing and monthly youth sessions.
- Boston Bouldering ProjectcorePrimary Massachusetts partner where ACG Massachusetts chapter launched August 2013. Hosts regular indoor climbing, monthly youth sessions, and special events for Boston area community.
- HiClimbcoreHawaii partner since 2024, located at 825 Ilaniwai Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Offers accessible climbing routes with and without ropes for adaptive climbers on Oahu.
- Memphis Rox+CommunitycoreSoutheast partner since 2023, located at 879 E McLemore Ave, Memphis, TN 38106. Became part of ACG family after ACG helped them become more accessible through staff trainings and ADA facility assessment.
- Movement ValhallasupportingGreater New York partner at 1 Commerce St, Valhalla, NY 10595. Hosts monthly indoor sessions.
- Gravity Vault PoughkeepsiesupportingGreater New York partner at 6 Neptune Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Hosts monthly indoor sessions.
- Central Rock Gym SyracusesupportingGreater New York partner at 600 N Franklin St, Syracuse, NY 13204. Hosts monthly indoor sessions.
- Central Rock Gym RochestersupportingGreater New York partner at 725 Averill Ave, Rochester, NY 14607. Hosts monthly indoor sessions.
- The Gravity Vault HobokensupportingNorthern New Jersey partner at 1423 Clinton St, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Part of expanding ACG presence in tri-state area.
- GOAT Climbing GymsupportingNorthern New Jersey partner at 77 River Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Part of expanding ACG presence in tri-state area.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Adaptive Climbing Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Achilles International: Achilles International provides adaptive athletic programs and competitive opportunities for individuals with disabilities across multiple sports and geographies. Both ACG and Achilles share a volunteer-led, chapter-based, person-of-color/disabled-led model serving similar participant populations nationwide.
- Adaptive Sports Foundation: Adaptive Sports Foundation runs adaptive ski and recreation programs in the Northeastern US. It is comparable to ACG in operating geographic-specific adaptive adventure programs with similar volunteer-driven, community-led nonprofit structures.
- National Sports Center for the Disabled: NSCD, based in Winter Park, CO, delivers adaptive adventure programs including rock climbing, skiing, and rafting in the Mountain West. Its multi-sport adaptive recreation model closely mirrors ACG's program mix and helps define the competitive set for adaptive climbing participants.
- National Ability Center: The National Ability Center (Park City, UT) provides adaptive sports and recreation programs including climbing, skiing, and horseback riding for individuals with disabilities. It directly competes for adaptive climbing participants and national sponsorship dollars with a multi-sport portfolio.
- Paradox Sports: Paradox Sports is a nonprofit that provides adaptive climbing, skiing, paddling, and adventure programs for people with disabilities. It is the most direct peer to ACG because both organizations focus exclusively on adaptive climbing and adventure sports with national chapter networks and sponsored athlete models.
- Challenge Aspen: Challenge Aspen provides adaptive mountain sports including climbing, skiing, and rafting for individuals with disabilities. It is comparable to ACG because both organizations operate adaptive climbing programs for participants with a wide range of disabilities and rely heavily on volunteer and donor support.
- Outdoors for All Foundation: Outdoors for All (Seattle) is a nonprofit providing adaptive outdoor recreation including climbing, skiing, and cycling for individuals with disabilities. It competes in the same adaptive climbing program market with a similar revenue mix of grants, sponsorships, and donations.
Broad incumbents
- Move United: Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA) is the national umbrella organization for adaptive sports, serving as a federation for dozens of local programs. It is comparable to ACG as a coordinating body for adaptive sports chapters and a channel for corporate/grassroots funding.
- USA Climbing: USA Climbing is the national governing body for competitive climbing including paraclimbing. It is relevant because ACG's athlete team and classification framework are recognized by USA Climbing, making it a key institutional partner/peer in the adaptive climbing ecosystem.
Others
- American Alpine Club: The American Alpine Club is ACG's former fiscal sponsor and a national climbing advocacy and conservation nonprofit. It is relevant as a peer/ecosystem partner with overlapping climbing community membership and donor pool, though its mission is broader outdoor climbing rather than adaptive-specific.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Adaptive Climbing Group social profiles
Digital presenceAdaptive Climbing Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Adaptive Climbing Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Adaptive Climbing Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Adaptive Climbing Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Adaptive Climbing Group 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 Adaptive Climbing Group
What does Adaptive Climbing Group do?
Adaptive Climbing Group (ACG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers affordable indoor, outdoor, youth, and competitive paraclimbing programs for individuals with physical disabilities across seven regional chapters. It also provides paraclimbing athlete sponsorships, disability etiquette training, and organizational partnerships with gyms, hospitals, and rehabilitation clinics. Participants contribute a $11 tax-deductible donation per indoor session, with outdoor trip costs varying by type, length, and location.
Is Adaptive Climbing Group a public or private company?
Adaptive Climbing Group is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Adaptive Climbing Group founded?
Adaptive Climbing Group was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Adaptive Climbing Group based?
Adaptive Climbing Group is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Adaptive Climbing Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and program Participation Fees.
Who are Adaptive Climbing Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Achilles International, Adaptive Sports Foundation, National Sports Center for the Disabled, National Ability Center, Paradox Sports, Challenge Aspen and Outdoors for All Foundation. Broad incumbents are Move United and USA Climbing. American Alpine Club is listed as an others.
Does Adaptive Climbing Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Adaptive Climbing Group.
What industry is Adaptive Climbing Group in?
Adaptive Climbing Group's product category is Adaptive Sports Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKACAH, Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics), with a secondary code of MPAKAJAK, Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs. Its NAICS code is 81341 and its SIC code is 8600.