HERO USA

What HERO USA does

HERO USA is a Columbus, Ohio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 that provides outdoor recreational sports education to disadvantaged youth in central Ohio. The organization operates seasonal programs — including kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, wakeboarding, skiing, and snowboarding — delivered through certified American Canoe Association and American Kayak Association instructors and an all-volunteer workforce. It serves three primary participant segments: under-resourced youth facing social, physical, and economic obstacles; institutional partners such as schools, churches, government agencies, and clubs; and youth with physical or mental disabilities through adaptive sports programming.

The organization holds the exclusive contract with the City of Columbus for non-motorized rental operations on the downtown riverfront under City Code 913.02, and operates partnership-driven programs at venues including Mad River Mountain, Metro Parks locations, and the Scioto River. Its technology footprint is minimal and non-proprietary: Shopify powers its e-commerce merchandise store, PayPal processes online donations, and Google Analytics tracks site traffic. The merchandise portfolio consists of branded apparel priced between $22.50 and $34 per item, sold direct-to-consumer.

Revenue is generated through four streams: individual donations at suggested tiers from $5 to $100+, corporate sponsorships at four levels (Bronze $500-$999 through Platinum $2,500-$5,000+), merchandise sales, and quote-based program fees for private group lessons and corporate outings. Program fees for partner organizations are offered at special nonprofit pricing. The organization is governed by a board of directors, funded entirely by donations and fundraising rather than equity capital, and operates without any paid staff.

Name

HERO USA

Legal name

Hero USA, Inc.

Website

https://herousa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HERO USA is a Columbus, Ohio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers outdoor recreational sports education — including paddle sports, skiing, and snowboarding — to disadvantaged youth in central Ohio through certified volunteer instructors and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Education Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAAAKAF

Whitewater & Paddle Sports Centers (Rafting, Kayak, SUP, Canoe)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Adventure Sports & Activity Centers (Paragliding, Skydiving, Surf Schools)

SECONDARYTHAAAOAI

Instructor-Led Skills Academies (Climbing, Paddling, Mountaineering Schools)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Educational Adventure Programs (Outdoor Education, Skill Development)

SECONDARYMPAKAFAF

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Rights Holders & Governing Bodies (Federations, Associations, Sanctioning Bodies)

SECONDARYTHAAAKAN

Adventure Equipment Rental, Retail & Service Centers (Gear Hire, Repairs)

Travel & Hospitality/Adventure, Amusement Parks & Ecotourism/Adventure Sports & Activity Centers (Paragliding, Skydiving, Surf Schools)

Keywords

• Youth sports education
• Paddle sports programs
• Adaptive snow sports
• Nonprofit youth services
• Branded apparel merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: HERO USA operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization relying heavily on fundraising from members and the community. Individual contributions are accepted at various levels ($5, $10, $20, $50, $100+) through their website via PayPal.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate contributions at four sponsorship levels: Bronze ($500-999), Silver ($1000-1499), Gold ($1500-2499), and Platinum ($2500-5000+). Organizations receive recognition and benefits commensurate with their contribution level.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded apparel including t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and infant apparel through the organization's Shopify e-commerce store. Price points range from $22.50 to $34 per item.
4. Program Fees: Fee-based spots for open class availability not filled by partner organizations, and private group lessons or corporate outings available upon special arrangement. Pricing is quote-based and varies by program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

HERO USA provides free outdoor recreational sports education to disadvantaged youth in central Ohio, including summer paddle sports programs (kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, wakeboarding) and winter snow sports programs (skiing and snowboarding at Mad River Mountain). The organization supplies all equipment and certified instructors, removing financial and access barriers for participants. Operations are underwritten by individual donations, tiered corporate sponsorships, branded merchandise sales, and program fees for private groups.

Product overview

HERO USA is a Columbus-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a combination of merchandise products and charitable youth sports programs. The merchandise portfolio consists of branded apparel including t-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and infant wear sold through a Shopify e-commerce platform. The programs include Summer Program (paddle sports: kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, water skiing, wakeboarding), Winter Program (skiing and snowboarding at Mad River Mountain), Paddle in the City (urban paddle events and SUP yoga), Volunteer Program, and Commercial Operators reservation services. The organization eliminates barriers to outdoor recreational sports for disadvantaged youth through education, equipment provision, and community partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Program (Paddle Sports Education) A seasonal youth program providing free paddle sports education (kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, wakeboarding) with all equipment and certified American Canoe Association instructors supplied. Targeted at disadvantaged youth in central Ohio and delivered in partnership with schools, churches, government agencies, and community clubs.
• Winter Program (Skiing and Snowboarding) A seasonal youth program offering weekly skiing and snowboarding lessons at Mad River Mountain Ski Resort in Bellefontaine, Ohio, plus access to the annual Louie Vito Rail Jam competition. Includes volunteer 1-on-1 coaching in addition to resort-provided instruction. Targeted at disadvantaged youth in central Ohio.
• Paddle in the City An urban paddle sports program offering stand-up paddleboarding on the Scioto River, weekly SUP Yoga sessions with Seven Studios, river cleanup events, and pop-up paddle experiences at Bicentennial Park. Open to community participants and partners.
• Volunteer Program Structured volunteer opportunities for community members to serve as mentors, instructors, and chaperones for HERO USA youth sports programs, including a background verification process. Targets adults in central Ohio interested in supporting youth outdoor recreation.
• Commercial Operators Program A reservation service enabling commercial paddle sports operators and certified instructors to access HERO USA's downtown Scioto pool operation area for skills development and paddle craft safety education courses for their patrons, subject to insurance and certification requirements.
• Corporate and Group Outings Customizable team building paddle sports experiences for corporate groups and private parties, arranged on a quote basis through HERO USA's summer program operations.
• Branded Apparel Merchandise A line of branded apparel (Crew Neck Fleece, Unisex Triblend Tee, Ladies' Flowy Scoop Muscle Tank, Ladies' Jersey V-Neck Tee, Ladies' Triblend Racerback Tank, Men's Tank Top, Youth Premium Crewneck Tee, Youth Heavy Blend Hoodie, Infant Fine Jersey Tee, Infant Fine Jersey Bodysuit) sold through the organization's Shopify e-commerce platform. Prices range from $22.50 to $34. Proceeds support HERO USA's youth sports programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving central Ohio community since 2010 with water sports education
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Columbus Recreation and ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017In 2017, HERO USA partnered with Columbus Recreation and Parks to offer guided kayak, canoe and stand up paddleboard tours in downtown Columbus every weekend from August through October. All guides are American Canoe Association certified instructors. This partnership enables HERO to operate paddle programs in the downtown riverfront area.
• Metro Parks (Central Ohio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHERO USA partners with Metro Parks and the YMCA of central Ohio for adaptive sports programs, including the Ohio Adaptive Adventures day of specialized fun for kids with physical or mental challenges.
• YMCA of Central OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for adaptive sports programming serving youth with physical or mental challenges, combining Metro Parks facilities with YMCA resources.
• Disability Resource Network (DRN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHERO USA partnered with DRN (a 501c3 organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities) to provide educational support to their Paddle Sports Education Class. HERO provides certified canoe, kayak and adaptive paddling instructors who provide safety education to youth and young adults with disabilities.
• Mad River Mountain Ski ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHERO USA offers weekly skiing and snowboarding lessons at Mad River Mountain Ski Resort in Bellefontaine, Ohio (52 miles from downtown Columbus). The resort provides facilities, lift tickets, and lesson instructors while HERO provides volunteer instructors for additional 1-on-1 coaching.
• Louie VitominorGTM or Marketing PartnerOlympic snowboarder Louie Vito hosts an annual Rail Jam snowboard competition. HERO USA participates annually, using events like this to teach youth skiing/snowboarding and promote their mission to the skiing/snowboarding community.
• Seven StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeven Studios partners with HERO USA for the Paddle in the City program, offering SUP Yoga sessions on the Scioto River during summer months.
• Ohio EPAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOhio EPA is listed as a presenter/sponsor for the Paddle in the City program, supporting environmental education through paddle sports.
• Hashtag 59, Scioto Made, Studio 35, Pacifico PreservesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal community organizations listed as presenters/sponsors for the Paddle in the City program.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• USA Canoe & Kayak (American Canoe Association): National governing body for paddle sports and instructor certification body — not a direct competitor but an ecosystem enabler whose certifications HERO's instructors rely on, making it an infrastructure-level peer in the paddle-sports delivery chain.

Direct peers

• The First Tee: National youth development nonprofit using sport-specific instruction (golf) to build character and access for under-resourced youth — closely comparable structure: instructor-led sports education, community partnerships, and serving disadvantaged youth.
• Outdoor Outreach: San Diego-based nonprofit providing outdoor adventure programming (paddle, snow, climbing) for under-resourced and at-risk youth, with certified instructors and adaptive offerings — closely mirrors HERO USA's mission, delivery model, and participant demographic.
• Disabled Sports USA: National nonprofit network providing adaptive sports opportunities (skiing, paddling, etc.) for people with disabilities. Directly comparable to HERO's adaptive paddle sports programming with Disability Resource Network and Ohio Adaptive Adventures.
• Adaptive Sports Center (Crested Butte, CO): Nonprofit providing year-round adaptive outdoor recreation (paddling, skiing, biking) for people with disabilities — directly comparable to HERO's adaptive paddle programming in mission, certified-instructor model, and donor-funded nonprofit structure.

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound USA: National nonprofit delivering outdoor adventure education for youth and adults with instructor-led expeditions. Comparable instructor-led adventure instruction model but at significantly larger national scale and broader geography.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Established national nonprofit providing outdoor skills and leadership education for youth, with certified instructor curriculum — a far larger incumbent in the outdoor education space that shares HERO's certified-instructor-led adventure model.
• YMCA of the USA: National nonprofit operating community-based recreation, sports instruction, and youth programming — HERO is already a YMCA partner in central Ohio and shares the volunteer/staff hybrid model and youth outdoor recreation focus.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National nonprofit providing adult-mentor relationships for youth facing adversity — shares HERO's volunteer-mentor-based youth outcomes framework and donor/sponsor support base, though delivered through one-on-one mentoring rather than sports.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development nonprofit offering sports, recreation, and enrichment programming at partner sites with volunteer and donor support — comparable youth-services donor/sponsor model, though much broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/herousa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSWKq3CtVDHJ6tDfazzz2Lg
• Facebookfacebook.com/herousa
• Instagraminstagram.com/herousa
• Pinterestpinterest.com/herousainc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hero-usa-inc-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 HERO USA