Outdoor Inclusion Coalition

What Outdoor Inclusion Coalition does

The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition (OIC) is a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization founded in 2019 by Marcus Shoffner and headquartered in Pittsburgh. Its mission is to attract, engage, and retain underrepresented populations in the outdoor recreation industry, with primary programming directed at Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities in the Pittsburgh region and more broadly across Pennsylvania. The organization operates through community-led, event-driven programming rather than a technology platform, and earned the Candid Seal Gold (2025) for nonprofit transparency.

OIC delivers its impact through a diversified set of programs and supporting infrastructure rather than a single product. Core offerings include a five-day Survival & Climbing Adventure Summer Camp ($250/week with scholarship availability), an annual OIC Climbing Festival (held in 2024 at New River Gorge, WV), the year-round Urban Wilderness Program for middle and high school students, the Every Kid Climbs Fund (a community-funded pool covering climbing access costs), a Rock Climbing Program with monthly BIPOC Affinity Climbing Sessions at ASCEND Point Breeze and Iron City Boulders, Urban Camping, a Snow Sports Program, an Outdoor Leadership Training course, and a 20-set Gear Library of camping equipment available to trained educators and community members. Content is delivered through the original "Sincerely Yours, Outdoors" podcast (YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts) and branded merchandise (logo hats from $28, Organic Climbing Chalk Bag at $25, logo patches at $5).

The revenue model blends donations and grants (processed via NeonCRM, including a 2023 REI Cooperative Action Fund grant), program fees priced to maintain accessibility with scholarship coverage, and modest merchandise sales via the OIC online shop. Distribution relies on direct-to-participant registration through theoic.org and Go The Flybook, with logistics handled through partnerships with the City of Pittsburgh (camping permits), Frick Environmental Center, Field Day, Mountain Watershed Association, Outdoor Industry Association (Thrive Outside initiative), Organic Climbing, Public Lands, and New River Alliance of Climbers. The team is intentionally lean at four core staff plus program guides, with leadership comprising President & CEO Marcus Shoffner, Program Manager Faith Burke, Program Lead Jeremy Olbum, Public Ally Emma Whittaker, and a board of directors drawing from ASCEND Climbing, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Belden Corporation.

Name

Outdoor Inclusion Coalition

Legal name

Outdoor Inclusion Coalition

Website

https://theoic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition (OIC) is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit founded in 2019 that runs climbing, camping, snow sports, and youth programs to attract and retain BIPOC communities in outdoor recreation across Pennsylvania, supported by donations, program fees, grants, and branded merchandise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Outdoor Recreation Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Instructor-Led Skills Academies (Climbing, Paddling, Mountaineering Schools) (THAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Outdoor recreation programs
• Community outdoor education
• Inclusive youth camps
• Gear lending library
• Outdoor leadership training

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies heavily on donations to fund programming, with a focus on keeping programs low-cost or free for participants. Donations are used for participant gear, programming costs, and ensuring financial accessibility.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including OIC logo hats, patches, and climbing chalk bags through the organization's online shop.
3. Program Fees: Revenue from paid programming including summer camps ($250/week), outdoor excursions, workshops, and multi-day trips. Pricing varies by event with scholarship options available.
4. Every Kid Climbs Fund: Community-funded pool to cover gym entry fees and basic costs for young people to participate in climbing experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Outdoor Inclusion Coalition runs community-based outdoor recreation programs that make activities such as climbing, camping, and general outdoor education accessible to BIPOC and other underrepresented populations. Its core offerings include a youth summer camp, an annual climbing festival, a gear lending library, and outdoor leadership training for educators, delivered primarily in and around Pittsburgh with support from outdoor industry sponsors and community partners.

Product overview

The Outdoor Inclusion Coalition (OIC) operates as a nonprofit service organization offering multiple interconnected programs rather than a traditional technology product. The portfolio includes: Youth Summer Camp (Survival & Climbing Adventure Camp, $250/week), the annual OIC Climbing Festival, the Every Kid Climbs Fund (accessibility initiative), a Gear Library lending program, Outdoor Leadership Training (educator certification), Rock Climbing Program, Urban Camping Program, Snow Sports Program, and the year-round Urban Wilderness Program. These programs are supported by the 'Sincerely Yours, Outdoors' podcast and public event offerings (wood carving, hiking, biking, photography, mindfulness, backpacking). OIC also sells branded merchandise (hats, chalk bags, patches) through its shop. Integration infrastructure includes NeonCRM for donations, Go The Flybook for event registration, and podcast distribution via YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sincerely Yours, Outdoors: A podcast dedicated to story-telling of Black and brown people, their experiences and love for the outdoors, available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
• Every Kid Climbs Fund
• Urban Wilderness Program

Products and services

• Youth Summer Camp Program

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New River Alliance of ClimberscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2024A nonprofit organization that advocates for protecting the natural resources at the New River Gorge and educates visitors about land stewardship and environmental responsibility. Partnered as a sponsor for the 2024 OIC Climbing Festival.
• Public LandscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 November 2024Sponsorship partner for the 2024 OIC Climbing Festival, supporting outdoor recreation access for underrepresented communities.
• ASCEND Point BreezecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndoor climbing gym partner for BIPOC affinity climbing sessions and program activities. Provides venue for monthly community climbing events.
• Iron City BoulderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndoor climbing gym partner hosting BIPOC affinity climbing sessions for community building and outdoor recreation access.
• City of PittsburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for camping permits at Riverview Park. OIC assists newly trained individuals with the permit process to reserve campsites through the City.
• Frick Environmental CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for wood carving, mindfulness, and environmental education programs.
• Outdoor Industry AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Thrive Outside initiative, a collective commitment to building a future where youth and families can thrive outdoors in the Pittsburgh region.
• Field DayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner in Lawrenceville for mindfulness sessions, photography workshops, and introductory backpacking classes.
• Organic ClimbingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGear collaboration partner for the Organic Climbing Chalk Bag, customized with OIC colors and logo patch for merchandise sales.
• Mountain Watershed AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp partner for activities including fishing, camping, backpacking, and canoeing experiences.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• The Venture Out Project: A nonprofit providing queer, trans, and LGBTQ+ outdoor experiences led by LGBTQ+ guides. Comparable community-led model offering beginner-friendly trips and skill-building with a focus on underrepresented populations.
• Black Outside, Inc. A San Diego-based nonprofit reconnecting Black families to the outdoors through camping, backpacking, and youth programs. Highly comparable community-led outdoor access model serving a different metro.
• Flash Foxy: A climbing community and events platform for women and underrepresented climbers, including the Women's Climbing Festival. Directly comparable climbing-centric audience and festival format.
• Brown Girls Climb: A nonprofit fostering inclusivity and representation for BIPOC women and non-binary people in climbing. Directly comparable niche (climbing access for underrepresented groups), event programming, and community-building approach.
• Outdoor Afro: A national nonprofit connecting Black communities to outdoor experiences through leadership, swimming, and outdoor programs. Closely comparable in mission (BIPOC outdoor access) and nonprofit community-led model, though larger in scale.
• Greening Youth Foundation: A nonprofit connecting underserved youth to the outdoors through environmental education and stewardship programs. Comparable youth outdoor access mission and partnership-driven model.
• Melanin Base Camp: A media and community platform dedicated to amplifying BIPOC voices in the outdoors. Comparable mission, narrative focus, and outdoor recreation advocacy, with overlap in climbing, snow sports, and youth engagement.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh: A regional YMCA operating youth development, camping (Camp Kon-O-Kwee), and outdoor programs in Western Pennsylvania. Comparable youth outdoor/camping programming with broader health and wellness offerings.
• Outdoor Industry Association: The trade association for the outdoor industry and OIC's partner in the Thrive Outside initiative. Comparable in advancing DEI in the outdoor industry but at a much larger scale and broader industry scope.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: A large established outdoor recreation and conservation nonprofit operating hiking, climbing, and youth programs across the Northeast. Comparable outdoor programming portfolio with significantly greater scale and resources.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/outdoorinclusioncoalition
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@outdoorinclusioncoalition
• Facebookfacebook.com/outdoorinclusioncoalition
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-outdor-inclusion-coalition
• Instagraminstagram.com/outdoorinclusioncoalition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Outdoor Inclusion Coalition