Name

Crooked Trails

Legal name

Crooked Trails

Website

https://crookedtrails.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community-Based Tourism Development Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Sponsors (BPAGAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Outdoor Guiding Services (Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering) (THAAALAA), Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Campground & Overnight Facilities Operations (Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry Huts) (THAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Community-based tourism
• Nonprofit fiscal sponsorship
• Responsible travel grants
• Tourism development projects
• Community grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

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, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Crooked Trails raises funds through donor outreach, grants, and industry partners to support community-based tourism projects globally. They manage a 501(c)(3) nonprofit platform enabling tax-deductible donations.
2. Fiscal Partnership Administrative Fees: The organization retains a 10% administrative fee when distributing funds through their fiscal partnership service for tour operators and communities raising funds.
3. Travel Adventure Fees: Crooked Trails charges participants for fundraising adventure trips (e.g., $2,895 per person for Morocco adventure), with proceeds supporting their community development mission.
4. Sustaining Memberships: The organization offers annual sponsorship and sustaining membership options for industry partners who contribute annually to support Crooked Trails programs.
5. Merchandise Sales: Crooked Trails sells branded merchandise including shirts, hoodies, and reusable beverage containers through external partners, with proceeds supporting their community-based project development fund.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Crooked Trails operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit platform that channels tax-deductible donations, grants, and sustaining-membership funds to community-based tourism development projects worldwide. The organization runs fiscal-sponsorship services for travel companies (retaining a 10% administrative fee), disburses community grants up to $5,000, organizes fundraising adventure trips, and maintains a vetted network of travel partners in more than 15 countries.

Product overview

Crooked Trails is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as a platform for community-based tourism development, not a single unified product. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs: Fiscal Partnership (a fundraising platform for tour operators), Community Grants (up to US$5,000 for sustainable tourism projects), Fundraising Adventures (twice-yearly travel trips supporting community tourism), Volunteer Programs (content creation and community engagement), a Shop (merchandise with proceeds funding projects), and a Travel Partners Network ( vetted operators across Peru, Cuba, Nepal, India, Brazil, Africa, and Thailand). The organization also manages over 20 active community-based tourism projects globally including Huay Pu Keng CBT in Thailand, Centro PUMA in Nicaragua, Ladakh Community Running Tourism in India, and others. Founded in 1998 and based in Seattle, Crooked Trails transitioned in 2020 from offering guided tours to focusing solely on community-based project development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fundraising Adventures Curated international travel experiences offered twice a year to destinations like Morocco that combine cultural immersion with fundraising for Crooked Trails' community-based tourism development projects. Designed for socially conscious travelers.
• Fiscal Partnership A nonprofit fiscal-sponsorship fundraising platform that lets tour operators and travel companies raise tax-deductible funds for destination communities. Crooked Trails vets and distributes the funds to responsible in-destination organizations, retaining a 10% administrative fee.
• Community Grants Grant program providing up to US$5,000 to communities and locally led non-profits for sustainable, regenerative tourism projects with environmental, economic, and social goals. Targets communities, NGOs, collectives, and government entities in destinations where Crooked Trails works.
• Volunteer Programs Volunteer and intern opportunities that place individuals in support of community-based tourism projects through content creation, interviews, community engagement, and promotion of homestay and adventure activities. Designed for those passionate about sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.
• Crooked Trails Shop (Merchandise) Online merchandise store featuring shirts, hoodies, water bottles, and mugs, with proceeds supporting the Crooked Trails community-based project development fund. Apparel is printed locally by women-owned partner Lamb & Lion Ink and beverage containers are designed by Lucky Chick Designs.
• Travel Partners Network A curated network of vetted travel partners in Crooked Trails-verified countries (Peru, Cuba, Nepal, India, Brazil, Africa, and Thailand) that connects travelers with trusted local operators for community-based tourism experiences and which Crooked Trails refers travelers to.

Quantifiable outcome

• Millions of dollars raised through platform over 20+ years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Abraham Path Initiative (API)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Nonprofit organization cultivating understanding through walking trails tracing Abraham's journey across Turkey, Iraqi Kurdistan, Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt. Crooked Trails funded development of Ibrahim Yolu Culture Guide for Turkish section of Abraham Path.
• Maquipucuna FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Nonprofit leader in conservation and sustainable development in Ecuador's Chocó Andino region for 37 years. Crooked Trails provided 2025 grant for Chocó Andino Hospitality & Ecotourism Skills Initiative training local community members in hospitality disciplines.
• Centro PUMAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cooperative of tour guides on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua operating a café and community center supporting education, conservation, and eco-tourism. Received Crooked Trails grants in 2024 and 2025 for Junior Ranger training, guide development, English classes, and reforestation programs.
• Fernweh Fair TravelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Award-winning women-led responsible rural travel project in Indian Himalayas empowering women, youth, and underprivileged communities through responsible tourism. Received $2,000 Crooked Trails grant for women's guide training program.
• Cuyaqoc Wayi (Vicos Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Community organization of 17 families in Vicos, Peru providing homestays and tourism activities at base of Huascarán. Crooked Trails grant supported Gear and Guide Initiative providing trekking equipment and training for youth.
• Tata Morocco Travels (Abdelkarim Tata)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Local travel company in Merzouga and Ziz Valley showcasing Morocco's cultural tapestry and natural beauty through sustainable tourism. Partner for Morocco fundraising adventures and volunteer programs.
• PARC UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Nonprofit working since 2003 with local communities near Rwenzori Mountain National Park to improve education, health, and sustainable development. Received $5,000 Crooked Trails grant for Rwenzori Community Eco-tourism Project creating income through community walks and trekking.
• Fair TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Thailand-based nonprofit committed to shifting narratives around indigenous communities from passive attractions to empowered leaders. Partnered with Crooked Trails on Huay Pu Keng Community-Based Tourism project in Mae Hong Son province, supporting over 200 Karenni villagers in CBT initiatives.
• LUENA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation contributing $1,490 alongside Crooked Trails' $5,000 grant to complete $6,490 funding for Rwenzori Community Eco-tourism Project.
• Imvelo Safari LodgescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafari lodge operator in Zimbabwe collaborating on Hwange Community Rhino Conservation Initiative. Operates lodges generating rhino viewing fees with 70% of funds returning to local communities.
• Mae Hong Son CBT NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork supporting community-based tourism development in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand. Partner with Fair Tourism and Crooked Trails on Huay Pu Keng CBT project.
• Global PearlscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization empowering local changemakers in developing countries. Partner in Ladakh Community Running Tourism project supporting Sonam Dorje's initiatives in Zanskar mountain villages.
• Keep NepalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry sponsor who has worked with Crooked Trails on many projects over years, raising significant funds. Publicly endorsed Crooked Trails as leader in Community Based Travel.
• Our Whole VillageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily travel company (founded by Patty Monahan) promoting family travel as a force for good. Industry sponsor supporting Crooked Trails mission.
• Lamb & Lion InkminorOthersWomen-owned business printing Crooked Trails merchandise including shirts and hoodies sold through their website.
• Lucky Chick DesignsminorOthersLocal female artist-created BPA-free reusable beverage containers (water bottles, mugs) sold through Crooked Trails shop with proceeds supporting community projects.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The International Ecotourism Society (TIES): Long-established nonprofit advancing ecotourism principles, standards, and community-based tourism development. Comparable in mission area and global project footprint.
• Tourism Cares: Nonprofit that channels the travel industry's resources toward community development, workforce, and destination stewardship. Closely aligned with Crooked Trails' mission of mobilizing travel-industry players for community-based impact.
• Planeterra Foundation: Nonprofit arm of G Adventures that funds and develops community-based tourism projects globally. Highly comparable to Crooked Trails as both act as fiscal sponsors/intermediaries channeling travel-industry revenue to grassroots tourism enterprises.
• Sustainable Travel International: Nonprofit focused on improving sustainability practices and supporting community-based tourism development worldwide. Highly comparable in mission, multi-country reach, and 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsorship function.
• Adventure Travel Conservation Fund: Industry-funded nonprofit that channels adventure-travel operator revenue into conservation and community projects in destinations. Comparable to Crooked Trails as a fiscal intermediary between tour operators and destination communities.
• Intrepid Travel Foundation: Nonprofit arm of Intrepid Travel funding grassroots community and conservation projects in destinations. Direct analog as a tour-operator-affiliated fiscal sponsor model.

Emerging players

• Responsible Travel: UK-based travel company curating responsible holidays with a focus on community benefits. Comparable in destination-responsible-tourism focus but operates commercially rather than as a grantmaking nonprofit.
• Pack for a Purpose: Nonprofit that channels traveler contributions to community projects worldwide. Overlaps with Crooked Trails in mobilizing travel-industry donors for grassroots destination impact, though smaller scale.

Broad incumbents

• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC): International body setting and promoting sustainability standards for tourism. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem player influencing responsible tourism, though its function is standards-setting rather than direct community funding.
• Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA): Industry association serving the broader adventure travel community. Comparable as an adventure-travel ecosystem player, though focused on trade and standards rather than direct grantmaking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CrookedTrails
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crooked-trails

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Crooked Trails