Lincoln Hills Cares

What Lincoln Hills Cares does

Lincoln Hills Cares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization co-founded in 2016 by Robert F. Smith (Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners) and Matthew Burkett (Chairman and CEO of The Flyfisher Group). Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with a Mountain Education Campus in Gilpin County, the organization delivers outdoor and environmental education, cultural history exploration, and workforce development programs to youth and families — with a mission centered on reconnecting historically marginalized communities, particularly African Americans, to the outdoors. The site it operates is the historic Lincoln Hills Resort, the only African American mountain resort community west of the Mississippi during the Jim Crow era (founded 1922–1925), and includes Winks Lodge, which was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Parks Service in December 2023.

Name

Lincoln Hills Cares

Legal name

Lincoln Hills Cares

Website

https://lincolnhillscares.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lincoln Hills Cares is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers outdoor education, environmental STEM, career pathways, equestrian, and cultural-preservation programs to historically marginalized K-12 youth, operating from the historic Lincoln Hills/Winks Lodge site in Gilpin County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education and Youth Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), College & Career Exploration Camps (Pre-College Samplers, Pathways) (EDAMALAN)

Keywords

• Outdoor education
• Environmental STEM
• Youth development
• Equestrian training
• Cultural preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through annual giving, monthly recurring donations, and one-time gifts. The organization runs Colorado Gives Day campaigns and accepts donations in honor or memory of loved ones.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support through CSR partnerships, event sponsorships, in-kind donations, volunteer programs, and matching gift programs. Corporate branding appears on website and event materials.
3. Planned Giving: Legacy giving through wills, bequests, and estate planning. Donors can include LHC in their will or designate the organization as a beneficiary.
4. Gifts of Assets: Accepts gifts of stocks and bonds, real estate, retirement assets, and life insurance policies with tax deduction benefits.
5. Sponsorship Programs: Event sponsorship opportunities including the Lost Friday Fly Fishing Classic and program sponsorships that directly fund youth participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Lincoln Hills Cares is a Colorado-based 501c3 nonprofit that delivers outdoor education, environmental STEM (E-STEM), career pathways, equestrian training, and cultural preservation programs to youth and families from historically marginalized communities. Programming is delivered at its Mountain Education Campus in Gilpin County, Colorado, and through partnerships with K-12 schools, youth organizations, and conservation groups across the Denver metro and Front Range. Participation is offered on a scholarship basis so no youth is turned away for financial reasons.

Product overview

Lincoln Hills Cares operates as a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of interconnected youth development programs centered on outdoor education, environmental STEM, equestrian experiences, career pathways, and cultural preservation. The core programs include the Outdoor Education Program (experiential outdoor learning), Environmental STEM Pathway (E-STEM science education), Career Pathways (workforce development), Nizhoni Equestrian Program (horseback riding and life skills), TeamWorks Employment Program (summer youth employment with conservation work), ESTEM FWD (college preparation for environmental science careers), and Cultural Preservation (historic site preservation for Lincoln Hills Resort and Wink's Lodge). These programs work together to fulfill the organization's mission of reconnecting historically marginalized communities to the outdoors through education, recreation, and cultural exploration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lincoln Hills Cares Foundation: The philanthropic arm providing support for outdoor education, cultural history exploration, and workforce advancement programs
• Outdoor Education Program
• Nizhoni Equestrian Program
• Environmental STEM Pathways (E-STEM)
• Career Pathways
• TeamWorks Service Learning
• E-STEM FWD

Products and services

• Outdoor Education Program Provides experiential outdoor and environmental education programs for youth and families, partnering with youth-serving organizations to teach cultural history, natural sciences, the environment, and outdoor recreation through dynamic and culturally responsive curriculum.
• Environmental STEM Pathway (E-STEM) Provides learning experiences in the natural outdoors integrating science, technology, engineering, and math to promote environmental literacy, creative solutions, teamwork, and interest in E-STEM-related careers for students.
• Career Pathways Program Prepares youth for higher education and career opportunities through an employment-based youth development model, using nature as a tool for development and representing the changing face of America's future in public and environmental health, conservation, and the environment.
• Nizhoni Equestrian Program Fosters personal growth and social-emotional development of youth and teen girls through equestrian training, providing a safe environment with barn, stables, tack room, corral, and trail access for learning equine care and horseback riding skills.
• TeamWorks Employment Program A summer-intensive youth employment program for ages 16-20 from Denver Metro and Front Range communities that integrates paid work experience with education in natural sciences, life skills training, and career preparation for environmental conservation, local history, civic engagement, and land management projects.
• ESTEM FWD A college and career development program for 10th-12th grade high school students designed to propel students toward success in higher education and careers in Environment, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world application.
• Cultural Preservation Preservation efforts for the historic Lincoln Hills Resort and Winks Lodge, including determining Historical Site or Traditional Cultural Property designation, community engagement, research, documentation, and collaboration with History Colorado's Museum of Memory project.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 140,000 youth to date
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

37 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Love, Tito'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTito's Vodka Love initiative supports Lincoln Hills Cares as a nonprofit partner with marketing and promotional support.
• PatagoniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor apparel company supporting as a nonprofit partner.
• Titus Adventure CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdventure equipment rental company supporting programming.
• Colorado Housing and Finance AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState finance authority supporting as nonprofit partner.
• Premier Members Credit UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCredit union supporting as community partner.
• Aurora Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE-STEM Pathway programming, student field trips, and teacher professional development. Key educational partner for delivering environmental STEM curriculum.
• Cherry Creek School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE-STEM Pathway programming and student engagement. Partner for curriculum delivery and student participation.
• Colorado Parks and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for conservation education, wildlife programs, and environmental STEM curriculum development.
• Keystone Outdoor Science SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for outdoor science education programming and curriculum development.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization partner for environmental education and stewardship programs.
• Leave No TracecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental education partner for teaching outdoor ethics and responsible outdoor recreation.
• University of Northern ColoradominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner through Center for Urban Education for E-STEM programming.
• Red Rocks Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with Outdoor Education Program Advisory Board involvement.
• Colorado State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through HYDRO SPUR program for watershed education.
• Metropolitan State University of DenverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner through One World One Water Center for water education.
• Colorado School of MinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for STEM education collaboration.
• Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife RefugeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with US Fish & Wildlife for conservation education and green team programs.
• Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partner for environmental education programming.
• Big City MountaineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for youth wilderness programs.
• Teens Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-created the TeamWorks program - a summer-intensive youth employment program engaging diverse youth ages 16-20.
• Audubon SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner for TeamWorks environmental projects.
• Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for TeamWorks programming and educational outreach.
• Denver WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for water conservation education and watershed projects.
• Jefferson County Open SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for trail building and land management projects.
• United States Forest ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for conservation and land management projects.
• Wildland Restoration VolunteersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for habitat restoration and environmental projects.
• Denver ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESTEM FWD corporate partner for mentorship and career exploration in environmental fields.
• Colorado Outward Bound SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESTEM FWD partner for wilderness education and leadership development.
• Inroads ColoradominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinks Program partner for career development and internship opportunities.
• YMCA of the RockiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerESTEM FWD partner for outdoor education experiences.
• Robert F. Smith STEAM AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Fernando Branch leads academy; Kiera Jackson serves as Family and Student Liaison supporting ESTEM FWD programming.
• Cottonwood InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for watershed education programs, including summer camps and outdoor adventures for youth.
• History ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuseum of Memory project collaboration for preserving Lincoln Hills history and cultural significance.
• Boulder Watershed CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for watershed education and water conservation programs.
• Keep It Clean PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for watershed protection and cleanup initiatives.
• Camping to ConnectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for connecting youth to outdoor experiences.
• National Park FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Fund II Foundation for Civil Rights Historic Preservation program protecting sites including Emmett Till Monument, Frederick Douglass Site, and Carter G. Woodson Home.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colorado Outward Bound School: Regional Outward Bound affiliate delivering wilderness-based character and leadership programs for youth; listed as an E-STEM FWD partner and competes/collaborates for the same experiential outdoor education, leadership development, and equity-in-outdoors space in Colorado.
• National Park Trust: National nonprofit that funds youth trips to national parks and supports historic preservation of park-related sites; closely comparable to LHC's combined outdoor education and historic preservation of Winks Lodge/National Historic Landmark mission.
• Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit providing youth paid conservation service and career pathway programs; closely comparable to LHC's TeamWorks employment model and Career Pathways program, with similar workforce development and land management project structure.
• Big City Mountaineers: National nonprofit that provides wilderness mentoring experiences for under-resourced youth; directly comparable to Lincoln Hills Cares in youth outdoor education mission, target demographic, and experiential learning model. Listed as an LHC partner organization.
• Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK): Denver-based nonprofit providing environmental education and outdoor experiences for youth from under-resourced communities; operates in the same metro area with overlapping E-STEM curriculum, school partnerships, and equity-focused outdoor programming.
• Keystone Outdoor Science School: Colorado-based residential outdoor science school delivering environmental STEM field programs for K-12 students; an LHC partner with closely aligned curriculum (state-standards-aligned environmental science education) and overlapping school district customer base.
• Cottonwood Institute: Boulder-based nonprofit offering community-based and school-based outdoor education programs including summer camps and watershed curriculum; LHC's collaborative partner on the Walton Family Foundation-funded Watershed Project curriculum and directly comparable in mission and program mix.

Emerging players

• Melanin Base Camp: Emerging nonprofit/media platform focused on increasing diversity in outdoor recreation and adventure sports; shares LHC's mission of equitable outdoor access for historically marginalized communities and operates in adjacent programming (storytelling, events, gear access) rather than direct curriculum delivery.
• Outdoor Afro: National nonprofit connecting Black communities to outdoor recreation and conservation; comparable mission in diversifying outdoor access and culturally relevant programming, though it operates more as a community/activations network than a facility-based education center.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver: Large regional youth development nonprofit listed as an LHC partner with overlapping youth-serving mission; provides broader programming beyond outdoor education and serves as both a feeder channel for LHC programs and a competing youth-development funder.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rfs_vista
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCAZjrIxOYbTgMVM1s7CjdEg
• Facebookfacebook.com/lincolnhillscares
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/robertfredericksmith
• Instagraminstagram.com/lincolnhillscares

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Lincoln Hills Cares