Team River Runner
Team River Runner is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 50+ chapters across 45+ US states that delivers free adaptive kayaking and paddling programs to wounded and disabled military veterans and their families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersRockville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Team River Runner does
Team River Runner (TRR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004 and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, that provides free adaptive kayaking and paddling programs to wounded and disabled US military veterans and their family members. The organization runs a national network of more than 50 local chapters spanning over 55% of US states plus the US Virgin Islands, delivering approximately 2,300 paddle sessions annually and cumulatively serving more than 14,250 veterans and family members through 7,500 trained volunteer leaders. Its core technology consists of adaptive paddling equipment and instruction methodologies engineered for veterans with visual impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and other combat-related disabilities; signature programs include the OuttaSight clinic series for visually impaired veterans, BIPOC Affinity Clinics for minority veterans, Kayak Football competitions, National Leadership Clinics, Adaptive Paddling Conferences, and high-profile Grand Canyon guided expeditions.
Program delivery is handled by volunteer chapter coordinators at local pools, lakes, and rivers, with institutional access secured through partnerships with Walter Reed, Fort Belvoir, the Exceptional Family Member Program, Millersville University, Durango Adaptive Sports Association, the UK-based BLESMA, and Diversify Whitewater. Because TRR's programs are offered free of charge to participants, the organization operates a charitable revenue model drawing on individual donations (structured from $25 to $1,000 tiers), corporate sponsorships (Boat Sponsorship at $5,000/year and Trailer Sponsorship at $15,000/year), event fundraising (biathlons, golf tournaments, kayak football events), vehicle donations through Car Helps Charities, and corporate matching gifts; the Combined Federal Campaign (#36703) provides federal payroll deduction access.
Leadership comprises Executive Director Joe Mornini, Development Director Michael Plourde, Boat Sponsorships and Grants Manager Philip Berry, Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Karpathy, and Confluence Committee Co-Chair Vanessa Jones, supported by a Board of Directors. Recognition includes the 2014 Canoe & Kayak Magazine "Paddle with Purpose Award," 2018 GreatNonprofits "Top-Rated Nonprofit" designation, 2016 Careers & the disABLED Magazine "Employee of the Year" for chapter coordinator Bill Butler, and media features on the Today Show and in National Geographic.
Team River Runner firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Team River Runner
- Legal name
- Team River Runner
- Website
- https://teamriverrunner.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Team River Runner is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 50+ chapters across 45+ US states that delivers free adaptive kayaking and paddling programs to wounded and disabled military veterans and their families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Team River Runner industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adaptive Veteran Recreation Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking & River Adventures (THAJABAB), Whitewater & Paddle Sports Centers (Rafting, Kayak, SUP, Canoe) (THAAAKAF)
Keywords
Where Team River Runner is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rockville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Team River Runner business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Team River Runner accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, with various giving levels supporting different program elements (e.g., $25 feeds a veteran for a day, $50 provides adaptive paddling equipment for a chapter, $100 covers a hotel night, $250 covers instructor certification, $500 creates a travel scholarship, $1,000 supports yearly pool memberships).
- Boat Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors donate $5,000 per year to have their company logo featured on a TRR kayak or paddle craft. Benefits include logo placement, photos with veterans, website recognition, VIP invitation to annual biathlon luncheon, and social media mentions.
- Trailer Sponsorship: Premium corporate sponsorship at $15,000 per year featuring company logo on TRR trailers that travel nationwide, plus logo on kayaks/paddle craft.
- Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from special events including the annual 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament in Bartlesville, OK, and other fundraising activities.
- Vehicle Donation Program: Partnership with Car Helps Charities allowing donors to turn vehicles into cash donations.
- Corporate Matching Gifts: The organization participates in corporate employee matching gift programs, allowing donors to maximize their impact through employer-matched contributions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Boat Sponsor - $5,000/year |
| Other | Annual | Trailer Sponsor - $15,000/year |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Donations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Team River Runner product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Team River Runner is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free adaptive paddling programs to veterans and their families through a national chapter network. Core offerings include local chapter-based kayaking instruction, the OuttaSight program for visually impaired veterans, BIPOC Affinity Clinics, Kayak Football competitions, national leadership clinics, and signature expeditions such as Grand Canyon trips. All programs are provided at no cost to participants and funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Product overview
Team River Runner operates as a service-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of adaptive paddling programs for veterans and military families. The core offerings include local Chapter Programs providing water safety training and kayak instruction, the OuttaSight Program for visually impaired veterans, Affinity Clinics including BIPOC-focused programs, National Leadership Clinics for multi-day training, Kayak Football competitive events, and Grand Canyon Expeditions. These programs work together to fulfill the organization's mission of providing veterans opportunities for health, healing, community purpose, and new challenges through adventure and adaptive paddle sports.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OuttaSight Program Specialized adaptive paddling program providing kayaking experiences for visually impaired veterans, including training, guided instruction by trained volunteers, and adapted equipment techniques that enable blind participants to kayak independently including class V rapids.
- Affinity Clinics BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Affinity Clinics providing paddling opportunities for minority veterans, addressing economic and social barriers to access.
- National Leadership Clinics Multi-day leadership training programs for veterans covering topics including PTSD, pain management, quality of life, paddling outfitting, technique, water stewardship, and fundraising.
- Kayak Football A competitive team sport combining elements of kayaking, American football, and ultimate frisbee, designed to provide a competitive athletic outlet for wounded veterans.
- Chapter Programs Local chapter-based paddling programs operating in over 50 chapters across 45+ US states, providing water safety training, kayak skills instruction, and adaptive paddling opportunities for veterans and their families.
- Adaptive Paddling Conference Annual conference focused on adaptive paddling techniques for instructors, volunteers, and participants in the TRR program network.
- Grand Canyon Expeditions Multi-day guided kayak expeditions down the Grand Canyon for disabled veterans, including guided trips where visually impaired participants have completed the 226-mile journey through class V rapids.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 14,250 veterans and family members served
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Team River Runner
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Team River Runner technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Team River Runner partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- BLESMAminorThe limbless Veterans organization based in the UK joined with TRR to hold a joint kayaking program in Key Largo, FL, expanding TRR's reach to international veteran organizations.
- Millersville UniversityminorTRR Susquehanna Valley chapter partners with the university to use pool facilities for teaching veterans basic kayak and safety skills and training future instructors in adaptive paddling techniques.
- Fort Belvoir Exceptional Family Member ProgramminorPartnership to teach kayaking to family members of veterans with disabilities, bringing families together in adaptive water activities.
- Durango Adaptive Sports AssociationminorPartnership for all-women's paddling trips, combining TRR's veteran focus with ASA's adaptive sports expertise for specialized programming.
- Diversify WhitewaterminorCollaboration to introduce more BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) veterans to whitewater kayaking and address economic and social barriers to access. TRR has hosted BIPOC Affinity Clinics.
- Werner PaddlesminorEquipment sponsor providing paddles for TRR programs and veterans.
- Jackson KayakminorEquipment sponsor providing kayaks for TRR programs.
- KokatatminorEquipment sponsor providing personal flotation devices (PFDs) and life jackets for TRR programs.
- Aqua AdventuresminorSan Diego-based kayak retailer that has provided kayaks for monthly family-oriented flat water paddles on Mission Bay for six years, totaling over 800 person-days on the water.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Team River Runner competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Move United: National umbrella for adaptive sports organizations (formerly Disabled Sports USA) of which TRR is a chapter. Move United operates the same chapter-network model for adaptive sports and serves overlapping veteran and disability populations.
- National Ability Center: Park City, UT-based nonprofit providing adaptive recreation and sports for individuals with disabilities, including veterans. Directly comparable mission, adaptive-instruction model, and reliance on volunteer instructors and donated equipment.
- Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based adaptive sports nonprofit serving veterans and people with disabilities through outdoor recreation programming. Closely comparable participant base, adaptive-instruction delivery, and event-driven fundraising model.
- Higher Ground USA: Adaptive sports and recreation nonprofit serving veterans, active-duty military, and first responders with disabilities through outdoor programming. Comparable adaptive-instruction methodology and veteran-focused mission.
Broad incumbents
- Team Red White & Blue: Large veteran-focused nonprofit building community through physical and social activity. Overlaps TRR's veteran beneficiary base but delivers across a much broader portfolio of activities (fitness, social, not specifically adaptive paddling).
- Wounded Warrior Project: One of the largest veteran service organizations, serving wounded veterans across physical, mental, and financial health. Competes for the same donor and corporate-sponsorship dollars though operating at vastly greater scale.
- Paralyzed Veterans of America: Veteran service organization focused on spinal-cord-injured veterans, including adaptive sports programming. Comparable participant overlap (veterans with mobility impairments) but broader advocacy and benefits-delivery mission.
- American Canoe Association: National paddlesports governing body providing instructor certification, safety education, and event sanctioning. Comparable paddling-sports domain but serves a broad recreational paddling community rather than an adaptive/veteran niche.
Regional players
- Sierra Club Military Outdoors: Program connecting veterans with outdoor experiences and conservation activities. Directly referenced by TRR testimonial (Sherman Neal II) and operates adjacent veteran outdoor programming, though not focused specifically on adaptive water sports.
Emerging players
- Rehabilitation Through Sports: Smaller adaptive-sports nonprofit serving injured veterans and civilians. Operates in a closely adjacent niche to TRR with overlapping adaptive-recreation methodology and beneficiary population.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Team River Runner social profiles
Digital presenceTeam River Runner compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Team River Runner financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Team River Runner leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Team River Runner funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Team River Runner 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 Team River Runner
What does Team River Runner do?
Team River Runner is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free adaptive paddling programs to veterans and their families through a national chapter network. Core offerings include local chapter-based kayaking instruction, the OuttaSight program for visually impaired veterans, BIPOC Affinity Clinics, Kayak Football competitions, national leadership clinics, and signature expeditions such as Grand Canyon trips. All programs are provided at no cost to participants and funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events.
Is Team River Runner a public or private company?
Team River Runner is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Team River Runner founded?
Team River Runner was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Team River Runner based?
Team River Runner is headquartered in Rockville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Team River Runner make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are boat Sponsorship, trailer Sponsorship, event Fundraising, vehicle Donation Program and corporate Matching Gifts.
Who are Team River Runner's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Move United, National Ability Center, Challenge Aspen and Higher Ground USA. Broad incumbents are Team Red White & Blue, Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America and American Canoe Association. Sierra Club Military Outdoors is listed as a regional player. Rehabilitation Through Sports is listed as an emerging player.
Does Team River Runner have an API?
No public API is recorded for Team River Runner.
What industry is Team River Runner in?
Team River Runner's product category is Adaptive Veteran Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAALAB, Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing), with a secondary code of THAJABAB, Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking & River Adventures. Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 7900.