Northeast Passage

What Northeast Passage does

Northeast Passage (NEP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 that operates as the service branch of the University of New Hampshire's Recreation Management and Policy Department within the College of Health and Human Services, following its March 2000 merger with UNH. The organization delivers adaptive sports programming, recreational therapy, adaptive equipment rentals, and disability awareness education to individuals with disabilities (ages 5-92), with a particular focus on veterans, K-12 schools, and organizational clients across New England and the broader Northeast. NEP's offering portfolio spans Community-Based Recreational Therapy, School-Based Recreational Therapy, Adaptive Sports & Recreation Programs (covering cycling, kayaking, waterskiing, sled hockey, archery, disc golf, golf, and wheelchair lacrosse), the only adaptive recreation equipment rental program in the U.S., the Similarity Awareness school presentation program, contracted services, and Teaching & Research through its UNH affiliation.

The underlying technology is non-digital: adaptive sports equipment and therapeutic recreation techniques, supplemented by a registered trademark portfolio and a YouTube media presence. Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model combining UNH institutional funding (approximately one-third of the operating budget), modest fees for service and adaptive sports programming, third-party-reimbursable recreational therapy, over 150 foundation grants, multi-year federal and state grants (VA, OSEP, NIDRR, DoD, state agencies), individual and corporate donations, peer-to-peer fundraising, and equipment rental fees. The organization employs 18 staff, is headquartered at 121 Technology Drive, Suite 161, Durham, NH, and holds Certified Veteran Ready Organization status alongside Move United membership.

Name

Northeast Passage

Legal name

Northeast Passage

Website

https://nepassage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Northeast Passage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and UNH service program that delivers adaptive sports, recreational therapy, adaptive equipment rentals, and disability awareness education to individuals with disabilities (ages 5-92), veterans, and schools across New England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Recreational therapy services
• Adaptive equipment rentals
• Therapeutic recreation
• Disability awareness education

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. University Funding: UNH covers approximately one-third of operating budget as institutional support
2. Fees for Service: Modest fees charged for Adaptive Sports programming; third-party reimbursement secured for Recreational Therapy services
3. Foundation Grants: Over 150 foundation grants awarded to support mission, programs, and adaptive equipment
4. Federal and State Grants: Multi-year competitive grants from Office of Special Education, NIDRR, VA, Department of Defense, and State agencies
5. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, annual giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, planned giving through UNH Foundation, corporate sponsorships, and cause marketing partnerships
6. Equipment Rentals: Adaptive recreation equipment rental program (primary rental period is 2 weeks)
7. Contracted Services: Provide adaptive equipment and expertise to organizations seeking access

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Northeast Passage is a nonprofit program of the University of New Hampshire that empowers individuals with disabilities through adaptive sports and recreation programs (cycling, waterskiing, kayaking, sled hockey, etc.), community-based and school-based recreational therapy services, and the only adaptive recreation equipment rental program in the United States. The organization also delivers disability awareness presentations (Similarity Awareness) to schools and contracted adaptive sports consulting to organizations, and operates a Teaching & Research arm linked to UNH's Recreation Management and Policy Department.

Product overview

Northeast Passage is a non-profit program of the University of New Hampshire that operates as a service organization (not a technology platform) offering adaptive sports and recreational therapy services. The organization provides a portfolio of programs including: Community-Based Recreational Therapy and School-Based Recreational Therapy for clinical therapeutic services; Adaptive Equipment Rentals for specialized gear; Adaptive Sports & Recreation Programs encompassing cycling, golf, kayaking, waterskiing, sled hockey, and other activities; Similarity Awareness school presentations; Contracted Services for organizations; and Teaching & Research educational programs. There is no AI, API, or SaaS product component to this organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community-Based Recreational Therapy Therapeutic recreation services delivered in community settings, providing 1:1 clinical recreational therapy services to individuals with disabilities to promote physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.
• School-Based Recreational Therapy School-based recreational therapy programming tailored for educational settings, integrating therapeutic recreation into school environments for students with disabilities.
• Adaptive Equipment Rental Rental program offering adaptive recreation equipment including handcycles, kayaks, wheelchairs, waterski equipment, and other specialized adaptive sports gear for individuals with disabilities. Primary rental period is 2 weeks.
• Adaptive Sports & Recreation Programs Adaptive sports and recreation programs including cycling, golf, kayaking, waterskiing, sled hockey, lacrosse, archery, disc golf, handcycling, and other athletic activities for individuals with disabilities ages 5-92.
• Similarity Awareness Program Educational presentation program that explores similarities shared regardless of ability, bringing wheelchairs and adaptive equipment to schools for students to participate in wheelchair games and learn about disability awareness. Priced at $500/day for program staff and equipment plus federal-rate mileage.
• Contracted Services Consulting and contracted services providing organizations access to adaptive equipment and expertise for implementing inclusive recreation programs.
• Teaching & Research Teaching and research programs including internship and practicum opportunities, serving as the service branch of UNH's Recreation Management and Policy Department within the College of Health and Human Services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants aged 5-92 served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of New HampshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNortheast Passage merged with UNH in March 2000 as the service branch of the Recreation Management and Policy Department within the College of Health and Human Services. UNH covers approximately one-third of operating budget and provides academic infrastructure, CTRS certification pathways, and institutional credibility.
• Move UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNortheast Passage is a member of Move United, the national adaptive sports organization. NEP Director Jill Gravink was inducted into Move United's Adaptive Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
• U.S. ParalympicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNortheast Passage was recognized by US Paralympics and received the Team USA Collegiate Impact Award in 2022. NEP sends athletes to Paralympic Games.
• Operation Hat TrickminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting adaptive sports for military and veterans, logo displayed on NEP website as community partner.
• Appalachian Mountain ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMC collaborated with NEP on the Galehead Trek in 2000, making their hut the first accessible for people with disabilities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based adaptive recreation nonprofit offering skiing, rafting, and outdoor adventure programming for individuals with disabilities. Comparable mission, participant demographic, and reliance on adaptive equipment plus volunteer support.
• Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA): Midwest regional adaptive sports organization offering year-round programming in wheelchair sports, sled hockey, and adaptive recreation. Operates a similar community-based delivery model and competes for similar Move United member benefits and federal grants.
• National Ability Center: Park City, Utah adaptive sports and recreation organization providing year-round instruction in skiing, cycling, horseback riding, and aquatics. Closely comparable model to NEP with similar revenue mix of program fees, grants, and donations.
• Turnstone Center: Fort Wayne, Indiana-based nonprofit offering adaptive sports, recreational therapy, and rehabilitation services. Closely mirrors NEP's integration of clinical therapy and adaptive sports under one organization.
• National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD): Colorado-based adaptive sports and recreation nonprofit offering year-round programming for individuals with disabilities. Operates the same combination of adaptive sports instruction, equipment access, and therapeutic recreation as NEP, but at a larger geographic and seasonal scale.
• Lakeshore Foundation: Birmingham, Alabama-based nonprofit delivering adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation to individuals with disabilities. Operates a similarly comprehensive facility-based model with elite athlete development and Paralympic training, directly comparable to NEP's three-pronged approach.

Emerging players

• Achilles International: Adaptive sports nonprofit focused on inclusive running, walking, and triathlon programming for people with disabilities. Comparable population served with overlapping volunteer-driven delivery and rehabilitation-recreation mission.

Broad incumbents

• Disabled Sports USA: National adaptive sports nonprofit serving wounded warriors and individuals with disabilities through a chapter network. Directly comparable mission and participant base; provides a competitive alternative for veteran adaptive-sports funding.
• Move United: National umbrella organization for adaptive sports in the U.S. Northeast Passage is a Move United member organization; Move United's network of affiliate chapters and Warrior Games programming directly overlap with NEP's adaptive sports and veteran services.

Others

• National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS): Professional association under NRPA supporting the therapeutic recreation field. NEP's founder has been recognized by NTRS-aligned bodies (e.g., 1997 Organization Citation Award), and the society serves as a professional ecosystem partner to NEP's Recreational Therapy programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nepassage
• Facebookfacebook.com/nepassage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/northeast-passage-program-of-the-university-of-new-hampshire

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Northeast Passage