Blue Sky Fund
Blue Sky Fund is a Richmond, Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers sequential outdoor education programs — Explorers, Outdoor Adventure Clubs, and the Outdoor Leadership Institute — to more than 2,000 youth annually, primarily from under-resourced communities and Title I schools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersRichmond, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Blue Sky Fund does
Blue Sky Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, that delivers nature-based outdoor education to Richmond-area youth through three sequential programs: Explorers (elementary, grades 3-5), Outdoor Adventure Clubs (middle school, grades 5-8), and the Outdoor Leadership Institute (high school, grades 9-12). Explorers is delivered in-school at 12 Title I Richmond Public Schools (with additional Henrico County Public Schools participation) and is correlated to Virginia Standards of Learning science curricula at green spaces including Belle Isle, Pocahontas State Park, and Shalom Farms. Outdoor Adventure Clubs operate at 9 partner locations across Richmond, providing weekly after-school activities such as rock climbing, paddling, camping, and geocaching. OLI admits a small cohort of high schoolers each year for a 5-day Mt. Rogers backpacking expedition and a year of monthly community service. According to disclosed impact metrics, 79% of participants come from under-resourced communities and a majority identify as youth of color, with the organization explicitly advancing racial equity in outdoor recreation.
Blue Sky Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blue Sky Fund
- Legal name
- Blue Sky Fund
- Website
- https://blueskyfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Blue Sky Fund is a Richmond, Virginia 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers sequential outdoor education programs — Explorers, Outdoor Adventure Clubs, and the Outdoor Leadership Institute — to more than 2,000 youth annually, primarily from under-resourced communities and Title I schools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blue Sky Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Outdoor Education
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG)
Keywords
Where Blue Sky Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richmond
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Blue Sky Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to Blue Sky Fund via online portals, mailed checks, and stock gift transfers. The organization relies heavily on individual donors to fund its mission. Recurring monthly giving is encouraged.
- Annual Crowdfunding Campaigns: The #BlueSkiesAhead annual 36-hour crowdfunding campaign leverages a Blue Sky Matching Fund (donors giving $1,000-$25,000) to match or triple donations. The 2026 campaign aims to raise $41,000+ with matching funds bringing totals over $112,000.
- Event Fundraising: Signature events including Hike for Kids (annual fall fundraiser at Virginia War Memorial) and profit share days with local restaurants generate significant donations. The 2023 Hike for Kids aimed to raise over $100,000.
- Program Fees (Sliding Scale): The Outdoor Leadership Institute charges program fees assessed on a sliding scale based on family ability to pay, allowing equitable access while generating some revenue.
- Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support Hike for Kids and other events. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, CoStar, Riverside Outfitters, SageView, TrueTimber Arborists, Väsen Brewing Company, and others have sponsored events.
- Merchandise Sales: Blue Sky Fund sells branded merchandise through its Bonfire online store.
- Planned Gifts & Estate Giving: The organization accepts planned gifts, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs for donors aged 70½+, and Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits for qualified donations in Virginia.
- Government & Foundation Grants: Blue Sky Fund has grown its operating budget from $350,000 in 2013 to $996,000, in part through grants. The Robin S. B. Hall Foundation has featured Blue Sky's work.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One-time | $25 - Provide one 3rd-5th grader with an Explorers experiential science investigation in the outdoors. |
| Other | One-time | $50 - Provide middle school students ability to rebuild confidence through weekly Outdoor Adventure Clubs. |
| Other | One-time | $100 - Fill one tank of gas for a Blue Sky bus to transport kids to program sites. |
| Other | One-time | $250 - Refresh supplies for 12 Explorers hands-on science investigations at one site. |
| Other | One-time | $500 - Send diverse high school students on a 5-day wilderness experience for OLI. |
| Other | One-time | $1,000 - Ensure transformative outdoor adventures for youth now and long into the future. |
| Other | Monthly | $18/hour - Part-time educator compensation rate for Explorers Educators and Program Instructors. |
| Other | One-time | Sliding scale program fees for the Outdoor Leadership Institute. |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels12 records
Blue Sky Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blue Sky Fund delivers free, in-person outdoor education programming to Richmond-area youth through three sequential programs: Explorers (grades 3-5, hands-on outdoor science aligned with Virginia SOL), Outdoor Adventure Clubs (grades 5-8, after-school adventure activities), and the Outdoor Leadership Institute (grades 9-12, summer wilderness backpacking plus year-long service). The organization also operates fundraising events (Hike for Kids, #BlueSkiesAhead), a merchandise store, and accepts individual, corporate, and foundation donations to fund programming.
Product overview
Blue Sky Fund operates three sequential core programs that form a continuum of nature-based outdoor education: Explorers (elementary school, grades 3-5), Outdoor Adventure Clubs (middle school, grades 5-8), and Outdoor Leadership Institute (high school, grades 9-12). These programs are designed to advance equity in outdoor access for Richmond youth, building from foundational outdoor science education through advanced leadership development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Explorers Elementary school program for grades 3-5 delivering hands-on outdoor science education through field investigations at green spaces, correlated with Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL). Partners with 12 Title I Richmond Public Elementary Schools and Henrico County Public Schools. Topics cover ecosystems, adaptations, soils, watersheds, space, energy, plant structures, and geology at sites including Belle Isle, Pocahontas State Park, and Shalom Farms. Free to students and schools.
- Outdoor Adventure Clubs (OAC) After-school program for middle school students (grades 5-8) introducing outdoor activities including rock climbing, hiking, camping, paddling, geocaching, biking, firebuilding, mindfulness and meditation, river safety, and overnight camping trips. Operates at 9 partner locations including NextUp sites at multiple Richmond middle schools, MLK Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center, and Anna Julia Cooper School. Delivered free to participants.
- Outdoor Leadership Institute (OLI) Year-long high school program (grades 9-12) featuring a summer 5-day wilderness backpacking expedition to Mt. Rogers (Virginia's highest peak) and monthly Saturday community service projects throughout the school year. Designed to develop individual leadership skills, increase personal resiliency, and cultivate multicultural teamwork. Approximately 20 new students enroll per year; program fees assessed on sliding scale based on family ability to pay.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,000+ youth participate in Blue Sky programming each year
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Blue Sky Fund
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Blue Sky Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Blue Sky Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro RichmondcoreBlue Sky Fund co-located its headquarters at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond Teen & Community Center on Nine Mile Road in Richmond. This strategic partnership provides Blue Sky with more functional office space, accessible storage for program gear, parking for the vehicle fleet, and access to outdoor green space. The co-location further fosters positive community impact by aligning two youth-serving organizations.
- Richmond Public Schools (RPS)coreRPS is the primary school district partner for the Explorers program. Blue Sky delivers in-school outdoor science education at 12 Title I elementary schools, aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning. RPS students in grades 3-5 participate in field investigations at local green spaces.
- Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS)minorHCPS is a partner district for the Explorers program, alongside RPS.
- NextUp RichmondcoreNextUp provides site facilities for Outdoor Adventure Clubs at multiple Richmond middle schools including MLK STEM Academy, Henderson STEM Academy, Boushall, River City, Lucille Brown, and Albert Hill. Blue Sky delivers weekly after-school outdoor programming at these locations.
- MLK Boys and Girls ClubcoreSite partner for Outdoor Adventure Clubs serving middle school students in Richmond.
- The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth CenterminorSite partner for Outdoor Adventure Clubs serving middle school students.
- Anna Julia Cooper SchoolminorSite partner for Outdoor Adventure Clubs serving 5th grade students.
- Sub Rosa BakeryminorLocal Richmond bakery that hosts profit share days where a portion of sales is donated to Blue Sky Fund. Featured as a sponsor location during #BlueSkiesAhead campaigns and Hike for Kids.
- Union Market (Richmond)minorLocal Richmond restaurant that hosts profit share days donating a portion of prepared food, draft beer, and wine sales to Blue Sky Fund. Featured during #BlueSkiesAhead campaigns and Hike for Kids events.
- Väsen Brewing CompanyminorRichmond brewery that sponsors Hike for Kids events and hosts profit share days for Blue Sky Fund.
- Kahlo's Taqueria & BarminorRichmond restaurant that has partnered with Blue Sky Fund for profit share days.
- Starr Hill Beer Hall & RooftopminorRichmond venue that has partnered with Blue Sky Fund for profit share events.
- Pizza BonesminorRichmond restaurant that has partnered with Blue Sky Fund for profit share days.
- Orvis RichmondminorOutdoor retailer that has partnered with Blue Sky Fund.
- Virginia Department of Wildlife ResourcesminorEvent sponsor for Hike for Kids, providing support for Blue Sky's annual fall fundraiser.
- CoStarminorEvent sponsor for Hike for Kids.
- Riverside OutfittersminorEvent sponsor for Hike for Kids.
- SageViewminorEvent sponsor for Hike for Kids.
- TrueTimber ArboristsminorEvent sponsor for Hike for Kids.
- Väsen Brewing CompanyminorEvent sponsor for Hike for Kids.
- KaleominorEvent sponsor for Hike for Kids.
- Friends of the James River Park SystemcoreBlue Sky partners with Friends of the James River Park System for trail maintenance and access. Blue Sky uses the James River Park System extensively for programming. Executive Director Josh Stutz of Friends of JRPS serves on the Hike for Kids Committee.
- William & Mary School of EducationminorBlue Sky Fund was featured in a collaborative research project led by Kathryn Lanouette bridging science education and urban ecosystems. Blue Sky was featured in W&M news coverage.
- Trust for Public LandminorBlue Sky Fund was identified alongside Trust for Public Land as organizations working to address the park access gap, with 100 million Americans lacking a park within a short walk of their home.
- Dominion EnergyminorDominion Energy Hike for Kids was the naming sponsor of the annual Hike for Kids event, supporting Blue Sky's signature fundraiser.
- SMBWminorRichmond-based interdisciplinary design studio that provided pro-bono design support for Blue Sky's new headquarters office layout and design renderings.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Blue Sky Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NatureBridge: National nonprofit operating residential environmental science education programs for youth in national parks. Comparable in delivering outdoor science education aligned with standards and serving Title I school populations.
- Outward Bound USA: National nonprofit providing outdoor adventure-based education to youth and adults. Directly comparable to Blue Sky Fund's OLI wilderness expeditions and experiential learning model, though at significantly larger national scale.
- Student Conservation Association: National nonprofit engaging youth in conservation service and outdoor experiences. Closely comparable in mission of connecting youth to nature, combining outdoor programming with community service components similar to BSF's OLI structure.
- Big City Mountaineers: Nonprofit providing outdoor mentoring experiences to under-resourced urban youth. Directly comparable in targeting youth of color from under-resourced communities with free wilderness trips and one-on-one mentoring.
Emerging players
- Girls on the Run International: National nonprofit using outdoor physical activity-based programs to build confidence and resilience in girls. Comparable in delivering after-school outdoor programming to under-resourced youth populations with mission-aligned SEL outcomes.
- City Blossoms: Nonprofit operating in Washington, DC creating green spaces and outdoor programming for youth in under-resourced urban communities. Comparable urban-youth nature connection model but at smaller scale and focused on gardens rather than wilderness.
Broad incumbents
- Children & Nature Network: National nonprofit advocating for nature connection among children and families. Comparable in addressing the outdoor experience gap, but functions primarily as a network/advocacy organization rather than direct program provider.
- Girl Scouts of the USA: National youth development organization with outdoor adventure programming as a core component. Comparable in delivering outdoor experiences and leadership development to youth, though as part of a much broader mission and at far greater scale.
- Appalachian Mountain Club: Large regional outdoor recreation and conservation organization offering youth outdoor programming across the Northeast. Comparable outdoor education mission but operates at much broader scale with adult recreation focus.
Regional players
- James River Association: Richmond-based river conservation nonprofit offering youth environmental education and paddling programs on the James River. Directly comparable in operating in the same Richmond geography with overlapping outdoor programming and water-based activities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Blue Sky Fund social profiles
Digital presenceBlue Sky Fund compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Blue Sky Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blue Sky Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Blue Sky Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blue Sky Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blue Sky Fund
What does Blue Sky Fund do?
Blue Sky Fund delivers free, in-person outdoor education programming to Richmond-area youth through three sequential programs: Explorers (grades 3-5, hands-on outdoor science aligned with Virginia SOL), Outdoor Adventure Clubs (grades 5-8, after-school adventure activities), and the Outdoor Leadership Institute (grades 9-12, summer wilderness backpacking plus year-long service). The organization also operates fundraising events (Hike for Kids, #BlueSkiesAhead), a merchandise store, and accepts individual, corporate, and foundation donations to fund programming.
Is Blue Sky Fund a public or private company?
Blue Sky Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Blue Sky Fund founded?
Blue Sky Fund was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Blue Sky Fund based?
Blue Sky Fund is headquartered in Richmond, United States, in the North America region.
How does Blue Sky Fund make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are annual Crowdfunding Campaigns, event Fundraising, program Fees (Sliding Scale), corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships, merchandise Sales, planned Gifts & Estate Giving and government & Foundation Grants.
Who are Blue Sky Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NatureBridge, Outward Bound USA, Student Conservation Association and Big City Mountaineers. Emerging players are Girls on the Run International and City Blossoms. Broad incumbents are Children & Nature Network, Girl Scouts of the USA and Appalachian Mountain Club. James River Association is listed as a regional player.
Does Blue Sky Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blue Sky Fund.
What industry is Blue Sky Fund in?
Blue Sky Fund's product category is Youth Outdoor Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAJ, Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits, with a secondary code of THAAAOAA, Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning). Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 8200.