ABLE Youth
ABLE Youth is a Franklin, Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that provides adaptive sports and independence skills training to children and young adults ages 3-22 who use wheelchairs in Middle Tennessee.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersFranklin, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ABLE Youth does
ABLE Youth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee (mailing address: 2000 Mallory Lane, Suite 130-542). It serves children ages 3-12 and young adults ages 13-22 with lower limb disabilities in the Middle Tennessee region, and describes itself as the only organization of its kind in the area providing combined adaptive sports and independence skills training for youth who use wheelchairs. The organization has impacted over 350 children and families since founding and currently serves approximately 60-65 children per year.
Its core program portfolio centers on four pillars: (1) Super Sports Saturdays, monthly gatherings at the Williamson County Recreation Center where kids learn adaptive sports mixed with independence skills; (2) Independence Camp, an annual weekend camp at Camp Widjiwagan focused on household chores, wheelchair mobility, and self-care routines; (3) Music City Thunder, Prep and Varsity co-ed wheelchair basketball teams competing in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA); and (4) a broader Adaptive Sports Training program spanning wheelchair basketball, tennis, racing, lacrosse, rock climbing, dance, boxing, track and field, waterskiing, road racing, and archery. Programs are delivered through strategic facility partnerships with the Williamson County Recreation Center, Catalyst Sports (three climbing venues), Camp Widjiwagan, Nashville Ignite Lacrosse, MOVE Inclusive Dance, and Fighters Gym Nashville, plus national affiliations with NWBA, Move United, and USTA.
The business model is donation-funded rather than fee-based. Most programs are free for participants; the only priced offerings are adaptive climbing events at $10-$15 (with reimbursements for active athletes) and the annual Will Bell Golf Classic fundraiser ($600/team, $150/single). Revenue streams include individual donations (including the recurring Possibility Squad monthly giving program), grants from private and family foundations (Dugas Family Foundation, Numotion Foundation, Permobil Foundation), corporate gifts and event sponsorships (Walmart, Kroger, HCA, First Horizon, Nashville SC), civic and community foundation grants (The Memorial Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee), United Way designation #3604, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, and proceeds from special events. The organization operates with 1-10 employees, led by Executive Director Amy Saffell, and is not a technology company — its value proposition is fundamentally human-coach-led athletic instruction and life-skills mentorship, exemplified by the involvement of Paralympic gold medalist Emily Hoskins as Music City Thunder Coach.
ABLE Youth firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ABLE Youth
- Legal name
- ABLE Youth 501(c)3
- Website
- https://ableyouth.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ABLE Youth is a Franklin, Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that provides adaptive sports and independence skills training to children and young adults ages 3-22 who use wheelchairs in Middle Tennessee.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ABLE Youth industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adaptive Sports and Disability Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH), Adaptive & Para-Sport Coaching (HSADAEAM), Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Youth & Teen Personal Training (HSADAAAJ)
Keywords
Where ABLE Youth is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Franklin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ABLE Youth business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals through credit card donations, PayPal, Venmo, check/money order, and stock transfers. Monthly giving program called Possibility Squad.
- Private and Family Foundations: Grants and gifts from private and family foundations including Dugas Family Foundation, Numotion Foundation, Permobil Foundation, and others.
- Corporate Gifts and Sponsorships: Support from businesses and corporations including Walmart, Kroger, HCA, First Horizon, Nashville SC, and others through event sponsorships and general corporate giving.
- Government and Civic Grants: Funding through community foundations and civic organizations such as The Memorial Foundation and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
- Special Events: Revenue from signature fundraising events including Will Bell Golf Classic and participation in community events like Race Judicata and Hope & Possibility Race.
- United Way: Designated recipient through United Way workplace giving campaigns. United Way designation number: 3604.
- IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions: Accepts Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) from IRAs for donors age 70½ or older.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Others | Standard Participation - Free |
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Adaptive Climbing Events - $10-$15 fee |
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Will Bell Golf Classic - Team Entry |
| Unit Pricing | Per event | Will Bell Golf Classic - Single Entry |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
ABLE Youth product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ABLE Youth runs free adaptive sports and independence-skills programs for youth ages 3-22 who use wheelchairs across Middle Tennessee. Core offerings include monthly Super Sports Saturdays, an annual weekend Independence Camp, the Music City Thunder wheelchair basketball teams, and adaptive sports training in track and field, tennis, climbing, dance, boxing, waterskiing, road racing, and related disciplines. Programming is delivered directly by ABLE Youth coaches and volunteers at partner recreation, camp, and climbing facilities.
Product overview
ABLE Youth is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive suite of adaptive sports and independence-building programs for youth ages 3-22 who use wheelchairs. The organization operates a multi-pronged approach centered around Super Sports Saturdays (monthly gatherings featuring adaptive sports like wheelchair basketball, tennis, and lacrosse), Independence Camp (annual weekend camp focused on life skills), Music City Thunder wheelchair basketball teams (Prep and Varsity divisions competing in the NWBA), and various adaptive sports training programs including track and field, swimming, archery, climbing, and dance. The portfolio also includes fundraising events such as the Will Bell Golf Classic and the Possibility Squad monthly giving program. Programs are designed to build independence, self-esteem, and athletic skills while fostering a community of youth with physical disabilities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Music City Thunder: Wheelchair basketball program fielding Prep and Varsity teams competing in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association.
Products and services
- Super Sports Saturdays
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 350 children and families impacted since 1997
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ABLE Youth
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ABLE Youth technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ABLE Youth partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA)coreABLE Youth fields Prep and Varsity wheelchair basketball teams (Music City Thunder) through the NWBA. Teams compete in the Southeastern Conference and National Championships. This partnership provides competitive sports opportunities for youth athletes.
- Williamson County Recreation CentercoreMonthly Super Sports Saturdays held at the Williamson County Recreation Center. The partnership provides facility access for program delivery.
- Catalyst SportscorePartnership with Catalyst Sports for adaptive climbing programs at three locations: The Crag, Climb Murfreesboro, and Climb Nashville West. Catalyst Sports provides adaptive climbing instruction and facilities.
- Nashville Ignite LacrosseminorYouth lacrosse organization that provided instruction at Super Sports Saturdays for wheelchair lacrosse introduction.
- MOVE Inclusive DanceminorPartnership for wheelchair dance class program in Nashville. Class taught by wheelchair user Scarlett Hunter.
- Fighters Gym NashvilleminorFree adaptive boxing classes offered on Saturdays at Fighters Gym Nashville for wheelchair users of all ages.
- Move UnitedcoreABLE Youth sends athletes to Move United Sanctioned Meets (Gateway Games, Peachtree Paragames) and qualifying athletes compete at The Hartford Nationals in Michigan.
- United States Tennis Association (USTA)coreUSTA provides All-Comers Camps for youth up to age 18 to learn wheelchair tennis. ABLE Youth hosts these day-and-a-half camps featuring instruction and play opportunities.
- Altar'd State (Hillsboro Village location)minorAltar'd State designates ABLE Youth as Mission Monday recipient where 10% of sales on Mondays are donated to the organization.
- Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers DivisionminorRace Judicata organized by the Nashville Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division benefits ABLE Youth annually.
- Camp WidjiwagancoreIndependence Camp held annually at Camp Widjiwagan, providing facility for weekend-long independence skills training.
- NECAT NetworkminorLocal Nashville media network that featured ABLE Youth programming including coverage of wheelchair tennis camps.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ABLE Youth competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BlazeSports America: Atlanta-based nonprofit delivering adaptive sports and recreation to youth and adults with physical disabilities; directly comparable as a peer-size adaptive-sports nonprofit combining competitive team sports, camps, and community programming for wheelchair users and amputees.
- Lakeshore Foundation: Birmingham, AL-based nonprofit providing adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation for people with physical disabilities and chronic conditions; directly comparable in combining competitive wheelchair sports (wheelchair basketball, tennis, rugby) with youth programming and rehabilitation-style training.
- Adaptive Sports Center: Crested Butte, CO-based nonprofit providing year-round adaptive sports instruction (skiing, cycling, climbing, etc.) for people with disabilities; comparable as a regional adaptive-sports training organization combining instruction, camps, and community programming.
- National Ability Center: Park City, UT-based nonprofit offering adaptive recreation, sports instruction, and outdoor programs for people of all abilities; directly comparable in mission and program mix (skiing, climbing, cycling, equine, aquatics) for youth and adults with physical disabilities.
- Catalyst Sports: Nashville-area nonprofit providing adaptive climbing instruction at the same three partner gyms (Climb Murfreesboro, Climb Nashville West, The Crag) that ABLE Youth uses; directly comparable as a peer adaptive-sports nonprofit in the same geography with overlapping beneficiary base and partner stack.
- Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC): Breckenridge, CO-based nonprofit offering adaptive outdoor adventure programming (skiing, rafting, rock climbing) for people with disabilities; directly comparable as a regional adaptive-sports instruction nonprofit running camps and clinics for participants with physical disabilities.
Broad incumbents
- Move United: National umbrella organization (formerly Disabled Sports USA) for community-based adaptive sports; directly comparable because ABLE Youth already sends athletes through Move United-sanctioned meets (Gateway Games, Peachtree Paragames, Hartford Nationals) and operates the same member-organization model at local scale.
- Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF): National nonprofit providing grants, equipment, and adaptive-sports programming for physically disabled athletes; comparable as a larger adaptive-sports funder/operator serving the same beneficiary base with grants, clinics, and competition support.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ABLE Youth social profiles
Digital presenceABLE Youth financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ABLE Youth leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
ABLE Youth funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ABLE Youth M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ABLE Youth
What does ABLE Youth do?
ABLE Youth runs free adaptive sports and independence-skills programs for youth ages 3-22 who use wheelchairs across Middle Tennessee. Core offerings include monthly Super Sports Saturdays, an annual weekend Independence Camp, the Music City Thunder wheelchair basketball teams, and adaptive sports training in track and field, tennis, climbing, dance, boxing, waterskiing, road racing, and related disciplines. Programming is delivered directly by ABLE Youth coaches and volunteers at partner recreation, camp, and climbing facilities.
Is ABLE Youth a public or private company?
ABLE Youth is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ABLE Youth founded?
ABLE Youth was founded in 1997. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ABLE Youth based?
ABLE Youth is headquartered in Franklin, United States, in the North America region.
How does ABLE Youth make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are private and Family Foundations, corporate Gifts and Sponsorships, government and Civic Grants, special Events, united Way and IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions.
Who are ABLE Youth's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BlazeSports America, Lakeshore Foundation, Adaptive Sports Center, National Ability Center, Catalyst Sports and Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC). Broad incumbents are Move United and Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).
Does ABLE Youth have an API?
No public API is recorded for ABLE Youth.
What industry is ABLE Youth in?
ABLE Youth's product category is Adaptive Sports and Disability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAJAK, Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs, with a secondary code of MPAKACAH, Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics). Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 8200.