Higher Ground

Adaptive Recreation Serviceshighergroundusa.org

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

Adaptive recreation programs
Therapeutic recreation services
Veteran support programs
Adaptive sports instruction
Disability recreation services

Where Higher Ground is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

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 offering

Core 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 profile

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Higher Ground technology and API

Technology

Technology 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 signal

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

ForterraflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2025Forterra, 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.
GovXcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 31 March 2025GovX 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 TherapistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPalo 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 SportscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParadox 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 AffairsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher 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 SessionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVB Surf Sessions partnered with Higher Ground for summer surf camp series in Virginia Beach, delivering therapeutic outdoor experiences.
Vet SailingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVet Sailing partnered with Higher Ground for sailing experiences in San Diego, CA for veterans and first responders.
High Country Veterans AdventuresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigh Country Veterans Adventures partnered with Higher Ground for white water rafting trips on the Arkansas River in Colorado.
Idaho School for the Deaf and BlindcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHigher 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 assessment

Regional 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 financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Higher Ground leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Higher Ground funding detail

Funding detail

Funding 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 investment

M&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?

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.