Black Outside

What Black Outside does

Black Outside, Inc. is a 501c3 Texas-based nonprofit headquartered at 305 E. Ramsey Rd, San Antonio, founded in 2018-2019 by Alex Bailey with the mission of reconnecting Black/African-American youth to the outdoors. It operates three distinct programs: Camp Founder Girls (America's first historically Black summer camp for girls), Brothers With the Land (a male-focused leadership, healing, and mentorship program), and Homecoming (community-based family programming). To date the organization reports 900+ youth served, 100,000+ collective hours spent outdoors, and visits to 20+ national and state parks.

The underlying operating model is human-coordinated outdoor youth programming, not a technology product; there are no APIs, software platforms, or proprietary technical assets disclosed. Trip planning, risk management, and gear inventory are overseen by an Operations Director who holds Wilderness First Responder and American Hiking Association NextGen Trail Leader credentials. A four-person staff (Founder/Executive Director, Camp Director, Director of Finance and Mentorship, and Operations Director) delivers programming in central Texas with geographic expansion into state and national parks.

The revenue and go-to-market model is donation-driven: Black Outside derives support from individual donations (with suggested tiers ranging from $50 for a one-day state park exploration to $650 for a five-day summer camp), a merchandise line sold through partner Slim Pickins Outfitters, and grants such as the $100,000 REI Cooperative Action Fund grant received in May 2024. There is no fee-based enrollment for participants. Sponsors and partners include YETI, 1% for the Planet, The Nature Conservancy, Echoing Green (founder fellowship), Trinity University (intern pipeline), and Teach For America (staff alumni). Customer acquisition is community-led via word-of-mouth, social channels (Instagram, Facebook), an email newsletter, and earned media coverage from BET, Dallas Morning News, KSAT, and the Outside Voices Podcast.

Name

Black Outside

Legal name

Black Outside, Inc

Website

https://blackoutside.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Outside, Inc. is a San Antonio-based 501c3 nonprofit that delivers culturally relevant outdoor programming for Black/African-American youth through Camp Founder Girls, Brothers With the Land, and Homecoming, supported primarily by individual donations and outdoor-industry sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Outdoor Education / Nonprofit Youth Services

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Group Camping & Scout Camps (THAGAOAI)

Keywords

• Youth outdoor education
• Nonprofit programming
• Outdoor mentorship
• Community-based camps
• Cultural outdoor recreation

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the mission of reconnecting Black youth to the outdoors. Donation tiers range from $50 (one-day state park exploration) to $650 (five-day summer camp).
2. Merchandise Sales: Merch shop through partner Slim Pickins Outfitters, featuring branded outdoor apparel and gear.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Black Outside, Inc. is a 501c3 Texas-based nonprofit organization that delivers culturally relevant outdoor programs to reconnect Black/African-American youth to the outdoors. It runs three flagship programs — Camp Founder Girls (America's first historically Black summer camp for girls), Brothers With the Land (boys' outdoor leadership and mentorship), and Homecoming (family community-based programming) — providing camping, hiking, and leadership experiences primarily in central Texas and at state/national parks.

Product overview

Black Outside, Inc. is a 501c3 Texas-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of three distinct outdoor programming products: Camp Founder Girls (America's first historically Black summer camp for girls), Brothers With the Land (a male-focused outdoor leadership and mentorship program), and Homecoming (community-based family programming). These programs work together to reconnect Black/African-American youth to the outdoors through culturally relevant experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brothers With the Land: Program connecting Black/African-American boys to the power of the outdoors through leadership, healing, and mentorship.
• Camp Founder Girls
• Homecoming

Products and services

• Camp Founder Girls

Quantifiable outcome

• 900+ youth served with 100,000+ collective hours spent outdoors
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YETIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYETI is listed as a sponsor of Black Outside, providing outdoor gear and equipment support for youth programming.
• 1% for the PlanetcoreGTM or Marketing Partner1% for the Planet is a sponsor, supporting environmental giving and sustainable business practices.
• The Nature ConservancycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Nature Conservancy is listed as a sponsor, supporting conservation and outdoor access initiatives.
• Slim Pickins OutfitterscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner retailer hosting the Black Outside Merch Shop, selling branded merchandise including outdoor apparel and gear.
• Trinity UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThurman Hogan completed over 1000 hours of service with Black Outside as an intern through Trinity University before joining full-time. Ongoing partnership for volunteer and internship programs.
• American Hiking AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThurman Hogan is an American Hiking Association NextGen Trail Leader, connecting to broader outdoor industry network.
• Teach For AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth Natalynn Masters and Kendall Taylor are Teach For America alumni - San Antonio chapter. Staff came through TFA teaching backgrounds.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Melanin Base Camp: Media and community platform amplifying BIPOC voices in outdoor recreation. Comparable mission focus on diversifying outdoor participation, though operates primarily as media rather than camp programming.
• Outdoor Afro: National nonprofit connecting Black communities to nature through outdoor experiences. Directly comparable in mission, target population, and programming model, with broader geographic reach.
• The Venture Outdoor Foundation: Nonprofit introducing underrepresented youth to outdoor careers and recreation. Similar youth-focused outdoor access mission with stronger career-pathway emphasis.
• Black People Hike: Community-driven nonprofit organizing group hikes for Black outdoor enthusiasts. Similar grassroots, community-led outdoor engagement model.
• GirlTrek: Largest public health nonprofit for Black women and girls, built around walking and outdoor activity. Overlapping audience (Black girls/women) and comparable health-and-outdoors mission positioning.
• Soul Trak Outdoors: Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit increasing Black representation in the outdoors through hiking and outdoor programming. Closest direct operating peer to Black Outside's Brothers With the Land sub-brand.

Broad incumbents

• American Hiking Society: Established national organization focused on trail stewardship and hiking. Comparable outdoor recreation mission but broader general-public scope and not specifically culturally specific.
• National Park Trust: 501c3 nonprofit focused on preserving national parks and connecting diverse youth to the outdoors. Similar park-focused youth outdoor engagement mission.
• Girl Scouts of the USA: Long-established national youth development organization with outdoor programming (camps, badges). Comparable girl-focused outdoor programming but operates at vastly larger scale without cultural-specific focus.

Regional players

• Hike Like a Woman: Outdoor hiking community for women and non-binary people of color with group hikes nationwide. Comparable outdoor equity and women-of-color focus but less formal youth programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/blackoutsideinc
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackoutside_inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Black Outside