What Achilles Internationl does

Achilles International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 in Central Park, New York, that transforms the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection. It serves youth, adults, and veterans across physical disabilities including amputation, paralysis, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy, and has served approximately 150,000 participants since founding. The organization operates 62 chapters across the United States and at least 13 other countries (including Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Australia, Japan, Mongolia, Germany, Norway, the UK, New Zealand, Panama, and Ireland), delivering free weekly workouts, marathon training, handcycling, racing wheelchairs, adaptive cycling, paratriathlon, guided running, and youth programming.

The organization's program portfolio is structured around named sub-brands: Achilles Kids (youth), Achilles Freedom Team (wounded, ill, and injured U.S. military veterans), the Achilles and Citi Bike Adaptive Cycling Program (free handcycle and tandem rides in NYC), United in Stride (independent training network), TriAchilles Team (paratriathlon), Start Lines Initiative with the Cordani Family Grant Program (athlete grants), and Team Achilles (charity bib runners). Major recurring events include the Hope & Possibility 4M in Central Park (with NYRR and TD Bank), the Achilles Relay, annual galas, and participation in the six Abbott World Marathon Majors.

Achilles does not charge athletes for participation and provides adaptive equipment at no cost. Its revenue mechanics are entirely donor-driven: individual donations, multi-year corporate sponsorships (The Cigna Group renewed at ~$1M/3yr in January 2026 with $3M+ lifetime since 2009, alongside GM, TD Bank, Bank of America, HOKA, Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, NYRR, and Citi Bike), charity bib fundraising at sold-out marathon events (~$500 minimum per runner), and a $25M Campaign for Achilles capital campaign launched in 2025. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by President & CEO Emily Glasser. Its go-to-market is chapter-based, community-led, and event-driven, with earned media amplification on Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, ABC 7, and PopSugar.

Name

Achilles Internationl

Legal name

Achilles International

Website

https://achillesinternational.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Achilles International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that transforms the lives of people with disabilities through free athletic programs, operating 62 chapters across the U.S. and 13+ countries with support from corporate sponsors, charity bib fundraising, and individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports & Disability Athletics Programs

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Endurance Stage & Destination Challenges (Multi-day Tours, Charity Challenges) (MPAKAIAG), Sports Medicine, Athletic Training & Rehabilitation Services (EDALAIAH)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Disability athletics
• Adaptive running
• Veteran rehabilitation
• Inclusive fitness

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the organization's mission. Donation page available at give.achillesinternational.org with #GivingTuesday campaigns and general fundraising.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Multi-year sponsorship commitments from corporations including The Cigna Group ($1 million over 3 years for Freedom Team), GM Military Appreciation Program, TD Bank, Bank of America, HOKA, and Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation.
3. Charity Bib Fundraising: Team Achilles charity runners raise funds through marathon participation with minimum fundraising requirements ($500 for Hope & Possibility). Race weekend participants collectively raise significant amounts.
4. Campaign for Achilles: $25 million capital campaign to expand resources and reach, deepen impact and break down barriers to sport for youth, adults and veterans with disabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Achilles International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free adaptive running, walking, handcycling, and triathlon programs for people with disabilities through a global chapter network. It organizes youth programs, a veteran-focused Freedom Team, adaptive cycling rides, paratriathlon teams, and supports athletes in competing at major marathons including the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Programs are delivered at no cost to participants and funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and charity bib fundraising.

Product overview

Achilles International is a non-profit organization that transforms the lives of people with disabilities through athletic programs and social connection. The organization operates a portfolio of programs including Achilles Kids (youth programs), the Achilles Freedom Team (veteran-focused program), adaptive cycling initiatives like the Citi Bike partnership, United in Stride remote training, and TriAchilles paratriathlon team. Major events include the Hope & Possibility 4M race, Achilles Relay, and Marathon Tour participation. The Start Lines Initiative provides grant funding through programs like the Cordani Family Grant Program. The organization maintains 62 chapters globally providing regular workouts and community events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Achilles Kids: Youth program for children with disabilities to participate in running and athletic activities
• Achilles Freedom Team
• Achilles and Citi Bike Adaptive Cycling Program
• United in Stride
• TriAchilles Team
• Start Lines Initiative
• Team Achilles

Products and services

• Achilles Kids

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of Achilles members report increases in well-being and self-confidence
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Cigna GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 January 2026Multi-year sponsorship commitment of nearly $1 million over three years to support Achilles Freedom Team, empowering wounded veterans and adaptive athletes to participate in major U.S. marathons. Partnership builds on over 15 years of collaboration with more than $3 million donated since 2009. David Cordani, Chairman and CEO, has served as guide in multiple marathons.
• Bank of AmericacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Chicago Marathon. Featured Achilles in 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon campaign spotlighting Zach and Tesa Stinson. Bank of America Chicago Marathon AWD Organizers support accessibility.
• TD BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Hope & Possibility 4M Presented by TD. Supports Achilles NYC races and accessibility events.
• GM Military Appreciation ProgramcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports Achilles Freedom Team since 2010 (11th year together). Hosted 25 veterans with disabilities at Detroit Free Press Marathon. Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers co-sponsor. Provides welcome dinners, tours, VIP experiences.
• HOKAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial nonprofit partner of HOKA. HOKA athletes participate as guides and support Achilles athletes. Featured at Chicago Marathon.
• NYRR (New York Road Runners)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for Hope & Possibility 4M in Central Park. Charity bib programs for sold-out NYRR races. 9+1 credit toward guaranteed NYC Marathon entry through charity bibs.
• Citi BikecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAchilles Citi Bike Adaptive Cycling Program provides free adaptive handcycle and tandem bike rides. Expanded to Brooklyn, Queens, and Bronx locations in addition to Central Park.
• BibRaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPromotional support partnership for 20th annual Hope & Possibility 4M Presented by TD Bank.
• Boston Athletic AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHost of Boston Marathon. Achilles Freedom Team honored at Boston Red Sox pregame ceremony. Supported Achilles athlete participation.
• Abbott World Marathon MajorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSix Star Medal program participants. Achilles athletes complete all six World Marathon Majors. Tokyo Marathon hosts Achilles Japan chapter events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): Veteran service organization building community through physical and social activity including adaptive sports and endurance events. Closest peer to the Achilles Freedom Team program in mission and event-based model.
• Travis Roy Foundation: Adaptive sports nonprofit providing grants for equipment and participation to individuals with spinal cord injuries and similar disabilities. Comparable grant-and-equipment funding model focused on adaptive sports access.
• Move United: National adaptive sports federation (formerly Disabled Sports USA) operating a chapter network delivering adaptive sports programming across the U.S. Highly comparable operating model with broader sport coverage and federation-style governance.
• National Ability Center: Park City-based nonprofit offering adaptive recreation and sport programs (skiing, cycling, equestrian, climbing, watersports) for people with disabilities and veterans. Comparable chapter-to-camp adaptive sports programming and veteran-focused mission.
• Dare2Tri: Nonprofit enabling youth, adults, and veterans with disabilities to participate in triathlon through training, equipment grants, and race-day support. Directly comparable as the paratriathlon counterpart to Achilles' TriAchilles program.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation: 501(c)(3) that provides grants, equipment, and training opportunities to people with physical disabilities in sports including running, cycling, and triathlon. Closest direct functional peer to Achilles with a near-identical grant-and-chapter program model.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Major 501(c)(3) serving post-9/11 wounded veterans through mental health, physical wellness, and adaptive sports programming including running and cycling. Comparable veteran adaptive-sports component at a far larger budget.
• Special Olympics: Global nonprofit providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Broader-scope adaptive sports organization with a much larger operating footprint and a different beneficiary population.
• Paralyzed Veterans of America: Larger veterans service organization whose adaptive sports program (PVA/Edge) funds wheelchair sports, racing, and recreation for paralyzed veterans. Comparable Freedom Team-style veteran-athlete model at significantly greater institutional scale.
• K9s For Warriors: Largest nonprofit provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and MST. Adjacent veteran-support mission to Achilles Freedom Team with comparable corporate partner ecosystem and grant-driven revenue model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AchillesIntl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCz5BOqMU3xPCdW8M09V3ymQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/achillestrackclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/achilles-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/achilles_international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Achilles Internationl