Gold Star Peak

What Gold Star Peak does

Gold Star Peak, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2018 by Kirk Alkire, a former U.S. Army 1st Sgt. who served with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. The organization is incorporated in Alaska (EIN 82-5258523) and headquartered in Eagle River, with a mailing address at PO Box 772413. Its core product is a guided full-day outdoor hiking experience taking Gold Star family members, U.S. military veterans, and active-duty service members to the summit of Gold Star Peak — a 4,148-foot peak in Chugach State Park near Eklutna Lake, Alaska. The peak was officially named by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names on February 8, 2018 following a year-long petition led by Alkire, and an Honor Tower with dog tags sits at the summit. From 2019 through 2024, the organization facilitated 148 adventures serving nearly 3,000 climbers and accumulating more than 445,000 vertical feet.

The business model is donation- and grant-driven rather than commercial. Services are provided free of charge to eligible participants (Gold Star family members, veterans, and active-duty service members), with funding coming from individual donations (processed via PayPal and Fred Meyer Rewards), corporate sponsorships (notably more than $500,000 from GCI's Suicide Prevention Fund since 2017, plus ConocoPhillips Alaska, REI, KUIU, Matson, The Home Depot Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation), and merchandise sales through a SquadLocker storefront selling apparel and summit flags. No proprietary technology platform underpins the operation; integrations are limited to PayPal and Fred Meyer Rewards for payment processing. Adjacent programs include the 2019-launched Remembrance Scholarship Fund (24 scholarships awarded to date) and a planned Gold Star Families Memorial at Reflections Lake between Anchorage and Eagle River, whose construction was officially approved by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in May 2024 after five years of advocacy.

Customer segments are tightly defined by military bereavement or service status: Gold Star family members (primary persona), U.S. military veterans (primary persona), active-duty service members (primary persona), and educational scholarship recipients. Participant pipelines are built through partnerships with national veteran service organizations including Travis Manion Foundation, Navy SEAL Foundation, T.A.P.S., Wounded Warrior Project, Three Rangers Foundation, and the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, plus direct outreach to military installations such as Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The organization has received a Four-Star Rating from Social Good (Guidestar/Candid) and was recognized as "Alaskan of the Week" by U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan on the Senate floor. Leadership is concentrated in Founder and President Kirk Alkire, with operations supported by a volunteer network.

Name

Gold Star Peak

Legal name

Gold Star Peak, Inc.

Website

https://goldstarpeak.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gold Star Peak, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2018 that provides free guided hiking adventures to the 4,148-foot Gold Star Peak in Chugach State Park, Alaska, for Gold Star families, veterans, and active-duty service members, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, merchandise sales, and a scholarship program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran and Gold Star family support services (therapeutic outdoor recreation)

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

akta.pro primary industry

Rock Climbing, Via Ferrata & Mountaineering (THAJABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Scenic Lookouts & Natural Landmarks (Waterfalls, Canyons, Rock Formations) (THAJACAD)

Keywords

• Veteran outdoor therapy
• Gold star family support
• Guided hiking adventures
• Nonprofit veteran services
• Remembrance scholarship program

Headquarters

HQ city

Eagle River

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, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Gold Star Peak accepts donations through PayPal, allowing supporters to contribute financially to support their mission of providing outdoor healing experiences to Gold Star families and veterans.
2. Merchandise Sales: The organization operates a shop selling merchandise including Gold Star Peak items and summit flags through SquadLocker.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Gold Star Peak, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes guided, full-day outdoor hiking adventures to the summit of Gold Star Peak (4,148 feet) in Chugach State Park, Alaska, for Gold Star family members, U.S. military veterans, and active-duty service members. The organization complements these therapeutic climbs with the Remembrance Scholarship Fund, which provides educational scholarships to Gold Star family members and veterans, and operates an online merchandise shop whose proceeds support the mission.

Product overview

Gold Star Peak, Inc. is a non-profit organization offering a single core product: guided outdoor hiking adventures to the summit of Gold Star Peak in Alaska for Veterans and Gold Star Family members seeking healing and remembrance. The organization supplements this core offering with the Remembrance Scholarship Fund providing educational scholarships, a planned Gold Star Families Memorial monument at Reflections Lake, an Honor Tower at the summit with dog tags, commemorative summit coins, merchandise, and a Veteran Support Organizations directory connecting climbers with additional resources. From 2019-2024, the organization facilitated 148 adventures assisting nearly 3,000 climbers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gold Star Peak Hiking Adventures Guided, full-day outdoor hiking adventures in Chugach State Park, Alaska, leading Gold Star family members, U.S. military veterans, and active-duty service members to the summit of Gold Star Peak (4,148 feet). Provided free of charge to create a safe, community-driven space for remembrance and grief processing; nearly 3,000 climbers participated from 2019 to 2024 across 148 adventures.
• Remembrance Scholarship Fund Educational scholarship program for Gold Star Family Members and Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, supporting higher education or vocational training. 24 scholarships were awarded from 2019 to 2024; applications are accepted online during scheduled cycles (e.g., Fall 2026: open March 23, 2026; close May 15, 2026; recipients announced June 19, 2026).
• Gold Star Peak Merchandise Shop Online store selling Gold Star Peak branded merchandise, including apparel and the Summit Something flag, operated via SquadLocker. Proceeds support the organization's mission to provide free healing experiences to Gold Star families and veterans.
• Gold Star Families Memorial at Reflections Lake Approved memorial project at Reflections Lake between Anchorage and Eagle River, Alaska, providing a permanent gathering place where Gold Star families can pay tribute to and remember loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice. The monument will be ADA accessible.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served nearly 3,000 climbers across 148 adventures from 2019-2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• ConocoPhillips AlaskacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate sponsor supporting Gold Star Peak's mission to honor Gold Star families and veterans through outdoor therapeutic experiences.
• Three Rangers FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization hosting annual Honor and Remember events at Gold Star Peak, including the event where CPL Benjamin S. Kopp's mother participated in July 2022.
• Wounded Warrior ProjectcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational veteran organization partnership supporting wounded warriors and sharing mission alignment with Gold Star Peak.
• Travis Manion FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization that has partnered with Gold Star Peak to guide Gold Star families to the summit, including a group of 15 Gold Stars in August 2018.
• T.A.P.S.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTragedy Assistance Program for Survivors - partnership supporting families of fallen service members.
• Navy SEAL FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn July 2019, 53 Gold Stars traveled to Alaska with the Navy SEAL Foundation and climbed Gold Star Peak to honor their fallen loved ones, including those lost in the Extortion 17 tragedy.
• Armed Services YMCA AlaskacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting active duty military families through community programs and partnerships with organizations like Gold Star Peak.
• Chris Kyle Patriots HospitalsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMental health professionals from the hospital climbed Gold Star Peak for self-care and wellness during PTSD Awareness Month.
• KUIUsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor apparel company supporting Gold Star Peak expeditions.
• Outdoor ResearchsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor gear company providing support for Gold Star Peak activities.
• REIsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor recreation retailer supporting Gold Star Peak through corporate partnerships.
• Run to RemembersupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization supporting Gold Star Peak through fundraising and awareness events.
• Midnight Sun Brewing CosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAlaska brewery supporting Gold Star Peak events and fundraising.
• Boulder Crest FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to transforming lives of veterans and their families through innovative wellness programs, aligning with Gold Star Peak's mission.
• The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Alaska Behavioral HealthsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides accessible mental health care to veterans and their families, with aligned mission to Gold Star Peak.
• Vets4WarriorssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides peer support services to veterans, complementing Gold Star Peak's healing mission.
• Berg Manufacturing, Inc.supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerManufacturing company supporting Gold Star Peak.
• Stellar DesignssupportingTechnology or IntegrationDesign company providing services for Gold Star Peak.
• Ranger SummitsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization supporting ranger-related veteran initiatives.
• Extreme Heating and AirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlaska business providing support for Gold Star Peak.
• Harleys Treats USAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompany supporting Gold Star Peak through product donations or sponsorships.
• Moose Horn ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company providing support for Gold Star Peak infrastructure.
• Northern Geotechnical Engineering, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering firm providing technical support for Gold Star Peak projects.
• Office of Veterans Affairs AlaskasupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerState government office supporting Alaska veterans and veteran organizations.
• The VFWsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterans of Foreign Wars organization supporting veteran causes.
• Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization honoring fallen soldiers, aligning with Gold Star Peak's mission.
• OnebriefsupportingTechnology or IntegrationCompany providing support for Gold Star Peak operations.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Warrior Hike: Nonprofit that uses long-distance hiking as therapeutic wilderness experiences for combat veterans; the closest direct peer in outdoor/wilderness-based veteran healing programs.
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led nonprofit using disaster response and outdoor service to help veterans find purpose and community; comparable in its veteran-focused outdoor healing mission and grassroots fundraising model.
• Boulder Crest Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of veterans and families through innovative wellness and retreat programs; a Gold Star Peak partner with an overlapping outdoor therapeutic model.
• Travis Manion Foundation: National nonprofit empowering veterans and families of fallen service members through character-based programs and expedition-style events; already a direct partner of Gold Star Peak that has guided 15 Gold Star families to the summit, making it the closest mission-aligned peer.
• Navy SEAL Foundation: Provides immediate and ongoing support to Naval Special Warfare community and Gold Star families; brought 53 Gold Stars to climb Gold Star Peak in 2019 and is a directly comparable veteran-family support peer.
• Three Rangers Foundation: Ranger-focused nonprofit supporting Gold Star families and veterans of the 75th Ranger Regiment through Honor and Remember events; co-hosts annual summits with Gold Star Peak and is a directly comparable niche peer.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S.): The leading national nonprofit providing compassionate care and resources to all those grieving the loss of a military loved one; closely aligned with Gold Star Peak's mission and listed as a core GTM/marketing partner.

Broad incumbents

• Wounded Warrior Project: Largest US nonprofits serving wounded veterans and their families through a broad program portfolio; a Gold Star Peak GTM partner and a broader incumbent in the same veteran support category.
• Semper Fi & America's Fund: Provides immediate financial support and lifelong assistance to wounded, critically ill, and injured service members and their families; a broader incumbent in the military family support category that competes for similar donor dollars.
• Hope For The Warriors: National nonprofit dedicated to restoring self, family, and hope for post-9/11 service members, veterans, and their families through wellness, transition, and sports programs; broader incumbent serving a similar population with a portfolio of programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/goldstarpeakinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoldStarPeakInc
• Instagraminstagram.com/goldstarpeak
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goldstarpeak

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Gold Star Peak