HBCUs Outside
HBCUs Outside is a 501c3 non-profit that connects HBCU students, faculty, and alumni with outdoor recreation, advocacy, and professional pathways through campus ambassador programs, faculty networks, and a national community platform across 13 partner campuses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersElizabeth City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HBCUs Outside does
HBCUs Outside is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded to connect students, educators, and alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with outdoor recreation, advocacy, and professional pathways into the outdoor industry. The organization addresses systemic exclusion of HBCU communities from the outdoors—referred to internally as "closing the nature gap"—by providing resources, training, and funded programming across a growing network of partner campuses. As of 2023-2024, the organization reports 9 active campuses hosting programs, 500+ students participating, $31,000+ in funding allocated to student programs, and over 3,000 hours of collective outdoor engagement.
The organization's core products are programmatic rather than software-based. Its flagship Outdoor Club Program is supported by a Campus Ambassador Program (28 trained student leaders), Faculty Advisors and Faculty Champions Programs for institutional embedding, and an Alumni Experiences Program for graduate engagement. The underlying technology is a digital Community Platform (community.hbcusoutside.com) built on a community engagement stack, functioning as a private hub for nationwide student connection, event discovery, and resource distribution. The website is built on Next.js with Sanity as the content management system, hosted on Vercel. No proprietary software products, apps, or AI/ML systems are disclosed.
HBCUs Outside operates a donation-based revenue model typical of small 501c3 nonprofits, with no fees charged to participants. Funding flows from individual donors (via Donorbox), corporate partners including REI Cooperative Action Fund, Black Diamond, Outside Inc., Hinge, and Teva, and nonprofit collaborators including National Park Trust, Rails to Trails Conservancy, and Children & Nature Network. The organization runs community-led, event-driven, and direct-to-consumer go-to-market motions simultaneously, leveraging student ambassadors for campus-based growth, the Outside Festival and similar events for industry visibility, and email/text communications for alumni and supporter engagement. With 1-10 employees and a founder-led structure under Ron Griswell, the organization is highly lean relative to its programmatic reach.
HBCUs Outside firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HBCUs Outside
- Legal name
- HBCUs Outside
- Website
- https://hbcusoutside.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HBCUs Outside is a 501c3 non-profit that connects HBCU students, faculty, and alumni with outdoor recreation, advocacy, and professional pathways through campus ambassador programs, faculty networks, and a national community platform across 13 partner campuses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HBCUs Outside industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Outdoor Recreation Community Programs
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG)
Keywords
Where HBCUs Outside is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elizabeth City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
HBCUs Outside business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: As a 501c3 non-profit organization, HBCUs Outside operates primarily through charitable donations from individuals and corporate partners. The organization accepts donations through Donorbox and conducts fundraising campaigns.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
HBCUs Outside product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HBCUs Outside operates a suite of outdoor recreation, advocacy, and professional development programs for the HBCU community. The organization equips HBCU students, faculty advisors, and alumni with the resources, training, and grants needed to launch and sustain campus-based outdoor clubs. Core programming includes the Outdoor Club Program, a Campus Ambassador leadership program, a Faculty Advisors and Faculty Champions program, an Alumni Experiences program, and an online community platform connecting members nationwide.
Product overview
HBCUs Outside is a 501c3 non-profit offering a suite of interconnected programs connecting the HBCU community to outdoor recreation, advocacy, and professional opportunities. The core offering includes an Outdoor Club Program that provides resources for students and faculty advisors to build campus outdoor communities, supported by a Campus Ambassador Program for student leaders. Additional programs include the Faculty Advisors Program and Faculty Champions Program for educator engagement, plus an Alumni Experiences Program. These programs are supported by an online HBCUs Outside Community Platform serving as a private hub for students. The organization also publishes annual Impact Reports documenting its reach and outcomes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Outdoor Club Program A program providing HBCU students and faculty advisors with the resources and tools needed to build sustainable outdoor communities, lead outings, and engage with the outdoor industry.
- Campus Ambassador Program A student leadership program offering 1:1 support to launch outdoor clubs, mentorship for planning outings, free workshops, stipends for ambassadors, and grants for clubs. Open to HBCU students who want to lead the movement on their campus.
- Faculty Advisors Program A program where trusted faculty guides support student ambassadors, help legitimize outdoor clubs, connect students to campus resources, and receive funding for student leaders and club activities.
- Faculty Champions Program A program for mission-aligned faculty who amplify HBCUs Outside's impact on campus through advocacy, offering access to resources, partnership opportunities, and networking experiences.
- Alumni Experiences Program A program connecting HBCU alumni to outdoor activities, environmental justice advocacy, student mentorship, and engagement with outdoor industry leaders.
- HBCUs Outside Community Platform A private online hub where HBCU students nationwide connect, share, and explore outdoor activities, accessing exclusive experiences, adventures led by local campus clubs, professional workshops, and monthly giveaways.
Quantifiable outcome
- 162% increase in student participation achieved
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HBCUs Outside
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
HBCUs Outside technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
HBCUs Outside partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Black DiamondcoreMajor outdoor gear brand and partner that shares passion for empowering HBCU students through outdoor exploration. Co-marketing and visibility as valued partner on website.
- Outside Inc.coreLeading outdoor media company and partner supporting HBCU student outdoor exploration. Provides visibility and industry connections.
- National Park TrustcoreNon-profit partner dedicated to preserving parks and providing outdoor access. Supports HBCUs Outside's mission to connect students with nature.
- Rails to Trails ConservancycoreOrganization transforming rail corridors into trails. Partners with HBCUs Outside to expand outdoor access for HBCU students.
- HingesupportingDating app brand partnered with HBCUs Outside. Supports community building and outdoor experiences initiatives.
- TevasupportingOutdoor footwear brand featured as media partner supporting HBCU outdoor initiatives.
- Children & Nature NetworksupportingOrganization connecting children and communities with nature. Aligned mission to expand outdoor access.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HBCUs Outside competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Outdoor Afro: A non-profit that connects Black communities with outdoor recreation, nature, and conservation experiences through local chapters and events. Most directly comparable as a mission-driven organization addressing Black underrepresentation in the outdoors.
- GirlTrek: The largest health nonprofit for African-American women and girls, organizing walking groups as a public health intervention. Comparable as a community-led, donation-funded movement building Black outdoor/health engagement at scale.
- Melanin Base Camp: A nonprofit media and community platform dedicated to increasing diversity in the outdoors, particularly through representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in adventure storytelling. Closely aligned with HBCUs Outside's diversity-in-outdoors thesis.
Emerging players
- Latino Outdoors: A national network of leaders and volunteers connecting Latino communities with outdoor experiences. Comparable as an identity-based nonprofit addressing underrepresentation in the outdoors, though focused on a different demographic.
- Unlikely Hikers: A diverse, anti-racist, body-positive outdoor community offering group hikes and events. Comparable as a mission-driven community focused on diversifying outdoor participation, though not education-anchored like HBCUs Outside.
- Brown Girls Climb: A nonprofit creating representation and opportunities for women of color in climbing. Comparable as a diversity-focused outdoor recreation nonprofit, though narrower in activity focus than HBCUs Outside.
Broad incumbents
- Children & Nature Network: A national nonprofit working to connect children, families, and communities with nature. Listed as an existing HBCUs Outside partner; comparable as a broader outdoor access organization with national reach.
- National Park Trust: A nonprofit dedicated to preserving parks and providing outdoor access, particularly for youth. A current HBCUs Outside core partner; comparable as a larger established outdoor access nonprofit.
- Rails to Trails Conservancy: A national nonprofit transforming rail corridors into trails and connecting people to outdoor spaces. A current core partner of HBCUs Outside and a broadly comparable outdoor access organization.
- Student Conservation Association: A national nonprofit providing young people with conservation service opportunities and career pathways. Comparable as an organization focused on student engagement with the outdoors and environmental career pipelines.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
HBCUs Outside financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HBCUs Outside leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
HBCUs Outside funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HBCUs Outside 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 HBCUs Outside
What does HBCUs Outside do?
HBCUs Outside operates a suite of outdoor recreation, advocacy, and professional development programs for the HBCU community. The organization equips HBCU students, faculty advisors, and alumni with the resources, training, and grants needed to launch and sustain campus-based outdoor clubs. Core programming includes the Outdoor Club Program, a Campus Ambassador leadership program, a Faculty Advisors and Faculty Champions program, an Alumni Experiences program, and an online community platform connecting members nationwide.
Is HBCUs Outside a public or private company?
HBCUs Outside is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HBCUs Outside founded?
HBCUs Outside was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HBCUs Outside based?
HBCUs Outside is headquartered in Elizabeth City, United States, in the North America region.
How does HBCUs Outside make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Who are HBCUs Outside's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Outdoor Afro, GirlTrek and Melanin Base Camp. Emerging players are Latino Outdoors, Unlikely Hikers and Brown Girls Climb. Broad incumbents are Children & Nature Network, National Park Trust, Rails to Trails Conservancy and Student Conservation Association.
Does HBCUs Outside have an API?
No public API is recorded for HBCUs Outside.
What industry is HBCUs Outside in?
HBCUs Outside's product category is Outdoor Recreation Community Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAIAG, Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals). Its NAICS code is 611620 and its SIC code is 8200.