Higher Ground
Higher Ground is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, delivering adaptive recreation and therapeutic recreation programs to veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities across more than 20 U.S. states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersKetchum, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Higher Ground does
Higher Ground is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, that delivers adaptive recreation and therapeutic recreation programs for three primary beneficiary segments: individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities; veterans with visible and invisible disabilities (including TBI, PTSD, MST, and polytrauma); and first responders facing similar challenges. The organization operates from a Sun Valley, Idaho base as the exclusive provider of adaptive snowsports for Sun Valley Resort, and extends nationally across more than 20 states through Community Resiliency Unit (CRU) ambassador-led events and regional program partners.
The core offering portfolio consists of Adaptive Sports Programs (year-round skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, cycling, hiking, climbing, golf, bocce, water sports) and Veterans & First Responder Programs (week-long therapeutic recreation retreats, CRU events, Military Transition Support, and the Paralympic Youth Camp for ages 7-18). The underlying methodology is a Therapeutic Recreation Framework grounded in Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) practice, supplemented by adaptive equipment provisioning (sit-skis, outriggers, prosthetics-compatible ski feet, adaptive cycling equipment). The organization documents statistically significant PTSD symptom reductions and quality-of-life improvements among participants, supporting a clinical-outcomes narrative that anchors its fundraising.
Revenue is generated entirely through donations, charitable contributions, corporate sponsorship, and grants; programs are provided at no cost to qualified participants. Accepted contribution mechanisms include one-time and recurring donations, donor-advised funds, stock gifts, cryptocurrency, and IRA qualified charitable distributions. Corporate sponsors include Forterra, Nike, Sun Valley Resort, Sheppard Mullin, St. Luke's Health, and Forterra, with 88% of contributions allocated to direct programs (5% administration, 9% fundraising). Programs are accessed via formal application (TFAforms), VA referral networks, and ambassador-driven grassroots outreach rather than fee-based enrollment.
Higher Ground firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Higher Ground
- Legal name
- Higher Ground
- Website
- https://highergroundusa.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Higher Ground is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 and headquartered in Ketchum, Idaho, delivering adaptive recreation and therapeutic recreation programs to veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities across more than 20 U.S. states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Higher Ground industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adaptive Recreation Services
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Rehabilitation & Recovery Retreats (Physio, Post-Op, Pain Management) (THAGAMAG), Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)
Keywords
Where Higher Ground is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ketchum
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Higher Ground business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue stream from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. 88% of donations go directly to programs. The organization accepts one-time donations, recurring donations, donor advised fund (DAF) contributions, stock gifts, cryptocurrency, and IRA qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).
- Program Revenue: Revenue from adaptive sports lessons and programs at Sun Valley Resort. Sun Valley serves as exclusive provider of adaptive snowsports, generating revenue through lesson fees that include equipment and lift tickets.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors provide financial support, goods, and services in exchange for brand visibility. Sponsors include Nike, Sun Valley Resort, Forterra, Sheppard Mullin, St. Luke's Health, and local businesses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free programs for qualified veterans and first responders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Higher Ground product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Higher Ground is a nonprofit that provides adaptive recreation and therapeutic recreation programs to veterans, first responders, and individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. Offerings include year-round adaptive sports (skiing, snowboarding, cycling, hiking, climbing, water sports), week-long therapeutic recreation retreats, Community Resiliency Unit (CRU) ambassador-led local events, military transition support, and specialized programs such as the Paralympic Youth Camp and partnerships with schools for the deaf and blind. Programs are delivered free of charge to qualified participants through donation- and grant-funded scholarships.
Product overview
Higher Ground offers a portfolio of adaptive recreation and therapeutic programs designed to empower veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities. The core offerings consist of Adaptive Sports Programs (providing year-round activities like skiing, cycling, hiking, climbing, and water sports) and Veterans & First Responder Programs (including week-long therapeutic retreats, Community Resiliency Units events, and military transition support). These programs are grounded in Recreational Therapy principles and operate primarily from Sun Valley, Idaho with national reach across multiple states.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adaptive Sports Programs
Quantifiable outcome
- 88% of donations go directly to programs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Higher Ground
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Higher Ground technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Higher Ground partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- ForterraflagshipForterra, a leader in mission autonomy systems for defense, announced a formal partnership with Higher Ground. Sponsorship highlights include title sponsorship of the Fall 2025 Fly Fishing program in Sun Valley, Idaho, a DC reception to advance discussions on veteran well-being, and future mentorship, tech exposure events, and co-branded service initiatives. Both organizations share a mission to serve those who have served.
- GovXcoreGovX partnered with Higher Ground to drive donations through a fundraising campaign offering participants a chance to win a guided fly fishing tour on the rivers surrounding Sun Valley, Idaho. The partnership provided visibility for Higher Ground's mission to serve veterans through therapeutic recreation.
- Palo Alto VA Recreational TherapistscorePalo Alto VA Recreational Therapists partnered with Higher Ground on the Northern California Surfing experience and California Cycling Program for veterans. VA recreational therapists refer participants and collaborate on program delivery.
- Paradox SportscoreParadox Sports partnered with Higher Ground on the New Hampshire Climbing program for veterans, combining expertise in adaptive climbing with Higher Ground's therapeutic recreation framework.
- Veterans AffairsflagshipHigher Ground works with Veterans Affairs to serve veterans through its own grant funding and VA referral networks. VA partnerships span multiple state VA healthcare systems.
- VB Surf SessionsminorVB Surf Sessions partnered with Higher Ground for summer surf camp series in Virginia Beach, delivering therapeutic outdoor experiences.
- Vet SailingminorVet Sailing partnered with Higher Ground for sailing experiences in San Diego, CA for veterans and first responders.
- High Country Veterans AdventuresminorHigh Country Veterans Adventures partnered with Higher Ground for white water rafting trips on the Arkansas River in Colorado.
- Idaho School for the Deaf and BlindcoreHigher Ground partners with the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind (ISDB) to offer Ski School Days and the ISDB Adventure Club. The partnership includes ASL classes for staff and volunteers.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Higher Ground competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Ski for Light: National volunteer organization providing adaptive cross-country skiing experiences for visually and mobility-impaired individuals. Comparable adaptive snowsports mission to Higher Ground's winter programming with similar recreational therapy approach.
Broad incumbents
- Wounded Warrior Project: Large national nonprofit serving wounded veterans with a broad portfolio of programs including physical health and wellness initiatives. Overlaps with Higher Ground on the veteran disability segment but operates at significantly greater scale with a much broader service mix.
Direct peers
- Adaptive Sports Center (Crested Butte): Crested Butte, Colorado nonprofit offering year-round adaptive recreation programs for people with disabilities. Closely comparable mission and program mix to Higher Ground, including skiing, mountain biking, and summer outdoor recreation.
- Paradox Sports: Boulder, Colorado-based nonprofit creating adaptive climbing opportunities for people with physical disabilities. Existing Higher Ground program partner; operates similar adaptive sports instruction and community-building model for disability populations.
- National Ability Center: Park City, Utah-based nonprofit offering adaptive recreation and outdoor adventures for individuals with disabilities and veterans. Operates year-round programs similar to Higher Ground's adaptive sports catalog including skiing, cycling, and climbing.
- Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based nonprofit providing adaptive recreational and cultural experiences for people with disabilities. Comparable to Higher Ground's Sun Valley programming in delivering adaptive snowsports and adaptive outdoor recreation.
- Travis Mills Foundation: Maine-based nonprofit supporting recalibrated veterans and their families through recreational therapy and adaptive sports. Highly comparable veteran-focused programming and therapeutic recreation approach to Higher Ground's veteran retreats.
- Move United: National nonprofit network providing adaptive sports and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA) operates a federation model similar to Higher Ground's CRU ambassador approach, serving overlapping participant populations.
- Team Red White & Blue: National nonprofit connecting veterans to their communities through physical and social activity. Shares Higher Ground's veteran-focused mission and community-driven model, with overlapping programming around adaptive and outdoor activities.
Emerging players
- Semper Fi & America's Fund: Nonprofit providing immediate financial support and lifetime assistance to critically wounded, ill, and injured service members. Comparable veteran-focused mission with adaptive recreation as a programmatic element, though with broader case management scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights8 records
Customer concentration
Higher Ground social profiles
Digital presenceHigher Ground financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Higher Ground leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Higher Ground funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Higher Ground 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 Higher Ground
What does Higher Ground do?
Higher Ground is a nonprofit that provides adaptive recreation and therapeutic recreation programs to veterans, first responders, and individuals with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. Offerings include year-round adaptive sports (skiing, snowboarding, cycling, hiking, climbing, water sports), week-long therapeutic recreation retreats, Community Resiliency Unit (CRU) ambassador-led local events, military transition support, and specialized programs such as the Paralympic Youth Camp and partnerships with schools for the deaf and blind. Programs are delivered free of charge to qualified participants through donation- and grant-funded scholarships.
Is Higher Ground a public or private company?
Higher Ground is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Higher Ground founded?
Higher Ground was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Higher Ground based?
Higher Ground is headquartered in Ketchum, United States, in the North America region.
How does Higher Ground make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are program Revenue and sponsorship Revenue.
Who are Higher Ground's main competitors?
Ski for Light is listed as a regional player. Wounded Warrior Project is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Adaptive Sports Center (Crested Butte), Paradox Sports, National Ability Center, Challenge Aspen, Travis Mills Foundation, Move United and Team Red White & Blue. Semper Fi & America's Fund is listed as an emerging player.
Does Higher Ground have an API?
No public API is recorded for Higher Ground.
What industry is Higher Ground in?
Higher Ground's product category is Adaptive Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAH, Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits, with a secondary code of THAGAMAG, Rehabilitation & Recovery Retreats (Physio, Post-Op, Pain Management). Its NAICS code is 813212 and its SIC code is 8300.