What Warriors & Quiet Waters does

Warriors & Quiet Waters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit veteran service organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, that delivers therapeutic and personal-development programming to post-9/11 combat veterans and their loved ones at no cost to participants. Its flagship offering, Built for More, is a nine-month cohort-based transformation program combining two in-person nature-based capstone experiences (fly fishing, archery elk hunting, photography, conservation, or saltwater fishing in the Florida Everglades) with an online proprietary personal growth curriculum delivered between the in-person bookends. Program outcomes — including 3x goal achievement, 5x purpose clarity, 10x Life Coherence, and 2.5x daily well-being improvements — are independently verified by Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans & Military Families, with a gold-standard Randomized Controlled Trial scheduled to launch in 2026. Ancillary programs include a Couples Experience, a Military Caregivers program, and a formal Alumni Engagement Program (Council, Ambassadors, Regional Cohorts) supporting long-term community retention.

The organization operates from its owned Quiet Waters Ranch facility and supplements capacity through partnerships with Mystery Ranch (gear), Oak Heart Lodge (Michigan alumni), Wounded Warrior Project (referrals and program support), Trout Unlimited (conservation), and others, enabling delivery across Montana, Florida, North Dakota, and Michigan. The technology stack supporting operations is conventional SaaS: Salesforce for donor CRM, monday.com for project management, Squarespace for web, Classy for donations, Shopify for merchandise, and Acast for podcast distribution. Revenue is generated entirely through donations and fundraising rather than program fees: Warrior Taste Fest (an annual culinary gala raising $770K in 2023), the Journey Home Golf Tournament ($199K in 2021), a Director of Development-led major-gift portfolio targeting $10K+ donors, corporate brand partnerships providing cash and in-kind support, Shopify merchandise sales, and grants (including recent support from the OpenAI Foundation and PenFed Foundation). A $19.1MM capital campaign is planned for public launch in 2027 to scale capacity against the 1,600+ veteran waitlist.

Name

Warriors & Quiet Waters

Legal name

Warriors & Quiet Waters Foundation

Website

https://warriorsandquietwaters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Warriors & Quiet Waters is a Bozeman, Montana-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers the nine-month Built for More program — combining nature-based experiences with an online personal-growth curriculum — free of charge to post-9/11 combat veterans and their families.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Hunting & Fishing Lodges (Sporting Lodges) (THAGAIAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style) (THAGAIAG), Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Veteran support services
• Therapeutic outdoor programs
• Nature-based therapy
• Veteran nonprofit programs
• Combat veteran transition

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations & Major Gifts: Individual donors contribute through website, events, and direct solicitation. Major gift program targets $10,000+ donors with $650,000 first-year targets for Director of Development.
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Brand Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial support, gear donations, and in-kind services. Partners include Mystery Ranch (packs), Oak Heart Lodge (alumni experiences), and food/beverage vendors.
3. Merchandise Sales: Shopify storefront selling branded merchandise including apparel with WQW logo.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual Warrior Taste Fest gala generates significant fundraising ($770,000 in 2023, $655,000 in 2022, $526,000 in 2021). Additional events include Journey Home Golf Tournament.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Warriors & Quiet Waters operates a nine-month "Built for More" transformation program for post-9/11 combat veterans that combines in-person nature-based experiences (fly fishing, archery hunting, photography, conservation) at Quiet Waters Ranch in Montana with a proprietary online personal growth curriculum delivered through cohort-based guided learning. All programs are provided at no cost to eligible veterans and are funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, merchandise sales, and annual event fundraising. The organization also offers a Florida Fishing Experience, Couples Experience, Military Caregivers Program, Alumni Engagement Program, and hosts the annual Warrior Taste Fest fundraising gala.

Product overview

Warriors & Quiet Waters is a purpose-driven veteran service organization offering the Built for More program as its flagship offering—a comprehensive nine-month transformation program for post-9/11 combat veterans. The program combines two in-person nature-based experiences (Initial and Capstone) bookending a proprietary online personal growth curriculum delivered through cohort-based learning. Program tracks include fly fishing (FX), hunting (Hunt for Purpose), photography, ice fishing, saltwater fishing, conservation projects, couples experiences, and military caregiver programs. The organization also operates the Florida Fishing Experience for year-round programming, maintains an Alumni Engagement Program for long-term participant support, and hosts the annual Warrior Taste Fest fundraising event.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Built for More Program The cornerstone nine-month transformation program offering a transformative journey for post-9/11 combat veterans, combining two in-person nature experiences (Initial and Capstone), an online proprietary personal growth curriculum, and cohort-based guided growth over 6-12 months. All costs including travel, lodging, activities, and meals are covered at no charge for eligible veterans.
• Florida Fishing Experience Saltwater flats fly fishing program conducted in Everglades National Park, Florida, enabling year-round Capstone Fishing Experiences during winter months when Montana operations are not feasible.
• Hunt for Purpose Archery elk hunting program in Montana, part of the Built for More track offerings that provides immersive outdoor experiences for veterans.
• Fishing Experience (FX) Core therapeutic fly fishing program conducted in Montana's world-renowned trout waters, serving as the foundational nature-based activity within the Built for More program framework.
• Photography Experience Photography program with world-class mentors teaching participants to build skills in locations like Yellowstone National Park; part of Built for More program tracks.
• Couples Experience/FX Therapeutic fly fishing program for post-9/11 combat veterans and their spouses or companions, focusing on relationship strengthening and shared outdoor experiences.
• Military Caregivers Program Dedicated program providing support and outdoor experiences specifically for military caregivers and companions of post-9/11 combat veterans.
• Alumni Engagement Program Long-term support program for Built for More alumni including the Alumni Council, Alumni Ambassador Program, continuing education opportunities, and regional cohorts and events to maintain community connection.
• Conservation Experience Conservation program where Warriors volunteer on ecological restoration projects in partnership with organizations like Trout Unlimited, fostering environmental stewardship and hands-on outdoor engagement.
• Warrior Taste Fest Annual culinary and art fundraising extravaganza featuring tastings from gourmet food, craft beer, fine wine, and spirits vendors, live auctions with quick-finish art, and community celebration supporting WQW's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3x increase in goal achievement among program participants
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Syracuse University Institute for Veterans & Military FamiliescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Top-tier research organization conducting rigorous third-party evaluation of WQW program outcomes since 2021. Partnering to launch gold-standard Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) in 2026 to measure Built for More effectiveness with scientific certainty.
• Mystery RanchcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBozeman-based hunting pack manufacturer provides gear for Built for More hunting track participants. Company known for load-bearing packs for military, wildland firefighters, and outdoor professionals. Partnership provides Warriors with OVERLOAD system packs and Futura Yoke technology for Montana hunting experiences.
• Oak Heart LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan-based fly fishing lodge operated by founders who are disabled veteran supporters. Hosts WQW alumni for four weeks of fully supported experiences along Muskegon River. Provides dedicated retreat space for veterans without rigid program structure, focusing on organic connection and healing.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational veteran services organization focused on total well-being of post-9/11 wounded veterans. Provided initial support to Brian Flom (hospital backpack after injury in Iraq) and VA claims assistance during transition. WQW photography program made possible through WWP generosity.
• Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partnering with WQW for Conservation FX experiences where Warriors volunteer on habitat restoration projects such as fish salvage operations in Ninemile Creek near Missoula, Montana.
• Sage LodgeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMontana retreat property that hosted WQW Alumni Council meeting and prepared special dinner to thank council members for dedicating time to alumni programming.
• COMMIT FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran services organization partnering with WQW to impact veterans through shared programming and support networks for post-military transition.
• Anthem SnacksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured brand partner providing snack products and supporting WQW mission. VP of Marketing Paige Billings engaged in partnership to support veteran population.
• JeltminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMontana company whose President Jen Perry wrote guest post supporting America's veterans. Company actively engaged in veteran support community.
• Christ Presbyterian AcademyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudent filmmaking partnership where CPA students created video storytelling project documenting Built for More Warriors experiences.
• Outlaw PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVideo production partnership producing WQW brand video capturing essence of Built for More program, purpose, people, and outcomes.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing: Direct peer: nonprofit that uses fly fishing as therapeutic recreation for disabled veterans. Most directly comparable mission, target population, and primary activity to Warriors & Quiet Waters' Fishing Experience.
• Heroes on the Water: Direct peer: nonprofit providing kayak fishing and other paddlesports-based therapeutic programs for wounded military veterans. Shares the nature-based veteran therapy model and free-program-for-veterans revenue structure.
• Higher Ground: Direct peer: nonprofit offering outdoor recreation therapy (skiing, snowboarding, etc.) to wounded veterans and their families. Closely comparable therapeutic recreation model and veteran-family segment.
• Travis Mills Foundation: Direct peer: veteran-founded nonprofit running a retreat in Maine for recalibrated veterans and their families. Overlaps in long-form residential programming, family-inclusive tracks, and donor-supported delivery.
• Boulder Crest Foundation: Direct peer: nonprofit operating retreat-based programs for combat veterans and their families focused on posttraumatic growth. Highly comparable multi-day, cohort-based, outcomes-evaluated model.
• Save A Warrior: Direct peer: nonprofit offering short-form, intensive residential programs for active-duty military and veterans in psychological crisis. Comparable short-stay, cohort-based, outcomes-tracked therapeutic model.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Broad incumbent: the largest U.S. veteran service organization serving post-9/11 wounded veterans across mental health, physical health, and economic wellness. A current strategic partner of WQW but also a competitor for donor dollars and program participants.
• Team Rubicon: Broad incumbent: veteran-led nonprofit deploying veterans in disaster response and community service. Operates nationally with a much larger staff and budget; competes for the same veteran-affiliated donor base.

Regional players

• COMMIT Foundation: Regional player / partner: veteran services organization partnering with WQW on transition programming. Overlaps in post-military transition support for service members leaving the armed forces.

Others

• Sierra Club Military Outdoors: Adjacent: program connecting veterans and active-duty service members with outdoor experiences and conservation volunteer opportunities. Overlaps with WQW's Conservation Experience and Trout Unlimited partnership work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeshows.acast.com/warriors-quiet-waters-podcast
• Facebookfacebook.com/timeline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/warriors-and-quiet-waters-foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Warriors & Quiet Waters