Project Venture
Project Venture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering adventure-based experiential learning programs for Indigenous youth across the US, Canada, Hungary, and Jamaica. It combines outdoor adventure, cultural leadership, and service learning to address substance abuse and mental health, funded through grants and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersAlbuquerque, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Project Venture does
Project Venture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legally the National Indian Youth Leadership Development Project, founded 1984) that delivers adventure-based experiential learning programs for Indigenous youth. Its core programs — the flagship Project Venture model, Project Pre-Venture, PV Mentoring, Venture Beyond Prevention, Walking in Strength, and the newer Project Radical Hope — combine outdoor adventure activities with culturally-based leadership development, service learning, and peer mentoring to address substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and cultural disconnection among Native youth from 4th grade through high school. Programs are delivered free of charge to participants through direct partnerships with schools, tribal communities, and youth organizations, and have been implemented in 25 US states, 8 Canadian provinces, Hungary, and Jamaica, serving over 9,000 Indigenous youth cumulatively across nearly 100 community adaptations.
The organization is not a technology company; its "technology" is a 40-year-evidenced curriculum and facilitator-training methodology recognized by SAMHSA/NREPP as a best practice model since 2004. The business model operates on a nonprofit funding base comprising diversified government grants, institutional foundation support (General Mills Foundation, McCune Foundation, Hearst Foundations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM, Con Alma, Colorado Plateau), individual donations, and a one-time $2M gift from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving in March 2024. Ancillary revenue is generated through Training & Technical Assistance workshops (3-day Introduction, 4-day Facilitator Workshop, 1-day sessions) delivered both in-person in Albuquerque and virtually.
Project Venture is led by Founder/CEO McClellan Hall with a team of approximately 15 members across offices in Albuquerque and Gallup (New Mexico) and Kyle on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (South Dakota). Its competitive position rests on SAMHSA/NREPP certification, deep community ecosystem lock-in across Indigenous communities, and 17+ documented industry awards over four decades.
Project Venture firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Project Venture
- Legal name
- National Indian Youth Leadership Development Project
- Website
- https://projectventure.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Project Venture is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit delivering adventure-based experiential learning programs for Indigenous youth across the US, Canada, Hungary, and Jamaica. It combines outdoor adventure, cultural leadership, and service learning to address substance abuse and mental health, funded through grants and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Project Venture industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- School, University & NGO Outdoor Programs (Curriculum/Program Delivery) (THAAAOAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)
Keywords
Where Project Venture is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Albuquerque
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Project Venture business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Project Venture is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization that receives funding from government partners, institutional funders, and individuals who support their youth development programs. Donations of any size are accepted.
- Training and Technical Assistance: The organization provides training workshops and technical assistance to communities seeking to implement the Project Venture model. Workshops include Introduction to Project Venture (3-day), PV Facilitator Workshop (4-day), and various one-day sessions on facilitation and curriculum delivery. These workshops are offered in-person in Albuquerque, NM and virtually.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Project Venture product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Project Venture delivers an evidence-based, adventure-based experiential learning program that combines outdoor activities with service learning and culturally-based leadership to prevent substance abuse and decrease depression, anxiety, and anger among Indigenous youth. The flagship model, complemented by Project Pre-Venture, PV Mentoring, Venture Beyond Prevention, Walking in Strength, and Project Radical Hope, is offered free to participants through partnerships with schools and tribal communities. Training & Technical Assistance workshops enable external communities to adapt and implement the model locally.
Product overview
Project Venture offers a portfolio of youth development programs anchored by its flagship adventure-based experiential learning model. The core offerings include Project Venture (flagship), Project Pre-Venture (traditional food systems focus), PV Mentoring (peer and adult mentorship), and Venture Beyond Prevention (therapeutic adaptation). The organization also provides Training & Technical Assistance services enabling Indigenous communities to implement and adapt the PV model locally. All programs combine outdoor adventure activities with Indigenous cultural values, service learning, and peer mentoring to develop resilience and leadership in Native youth.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Project Venture: The flagship evidence-based youth development model combining adventure-based experiential learning with service learning and culturally-based leadership to prevent substance abuse and decrease depression, anxiety, and anger in Indigenous communities.
- Project Pre-Venture
- PV Mentoring
- Venture Beyond Prevention
- Walking in Strength
- Project Radical Hope
Products and services
- Project Venture (Flagship Program) Adventure-based experiential learning program combining outdoor activities with service learning and culturally-based leadership. Demonstrates positive outcomes in preventing substance abuse and decreasing depression, anxiety, and anger in Indigenous communities; targets youth in grades 4 through high school.
- Project Pre-Venture Culturally-relevant youth program with experiential outdoor activities organized around traditional food systems, service learning, and intergenerational connections. Connects healthy Indigenous youth with ancestral farming methods and sustainable food systems.
- PV Mentoring Mentorship program pairing adult and peer mentors with younger students for outdoor adventure activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and canoeing. Develops social/emotional, academic and life skills while recruiting high school students including PV Alumni as Peer Mentors.
- Venture Beyond Prevention (VBP) Therapeutic positive youth development approach focusing on risk factors and disparities facing Indigenous teens, particularly reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. An adaptation of Project Venture refined and tested over 10 years.
- Training & Technical Assistance Comprehensive training program enabling Indigenous communities to adapt the Project Venture model to their specific needs and traditions. Includes Introduction to Project Venture (3-day) Workshop, PV Facilitation Workshop (4-day), 1-day facilitation sessions, and ongoing technical support, delivered in person in Albuquerque, NM and virtually.
- Project Radical Hope Community-led initiative addressing mental and behavioral health disparities affecting Indigenous youth (grades 6-12 in New Mexico) through a two-pronged approach: culturally responsive youth development programming and a community collaborative to address systemic barriers to care.
Quantifiable outcome
- Evaluation showed fewer risky behaviors including substance use, teen pregnancy, violence, depression, and anxiety among participants
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Project Venture
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Project Venture technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Project Venture partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Jane Goodall's Roots & ShootscoreProject Venture is a partner in the Roots and Shoots program founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. Dr. Goodall is also a member of Project Venture's Honorary Board of Directors and has sent special messages in honor of PV events.
- National Outdoor Leadership SchoolcorePartner organization supporting outdoor leadership development for Indigenous youth programs.
- Native American Community AcademycorePartner school implementing Project Venture programs for Indigenous youth in New Mexico.
- Santa Fe Indian SchoolcorePartner school implementing Project Venture programs for Indigenous youth.
- Trees, Water & PeopleminorEnvironmental nonprofit partner supporting sustainable community development programs.
- Wings of AmericaminorOrganization supporting Indigenous youth through running and athletics programs.
- C4 Recovery FoundationminorRecovery-focused foundation supporting behavioral health and addiction recovery programs.
- National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral HealthminorNetwork focused on eliminating behavioral health disparities in underserved communities.
- Oglala Lakota Children's Justice CentercorePartner organization on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota implementing Project Venture programs.
- Maui Youth and Family ServicesminorYouth and family services organization in Hawaii implementing Project Venture programs.
- RISE Life Management ServicesminorJamaican organization implementing Project Venture programs in Kingston, Jamaica.
- Gallup Community PantryminorLocal community organization in Gallup, New Mexico providing support services.
- Rio Grande Mindfulness Institute (RGMI)coreCollaborating partner on Project Radical Hope initiative to integrate culturally responsive mindfulness practices into Project Venture's curriculum for Indigenous youth mental health support.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Project Venture competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National 4-H Council: 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the US, reaching millions of youth through experiential learning in STEM, agriculture, and leadership. It shares the experiential education model at much larger scale across all demographics.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: BBBS is the largest youth mentoring organization in the US, serving millions of youth through adult and peer mentoring. It overlaps with Project Venture's PV Mentoring program but at much larger scale and broader demographic scope.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Boys & Girls Clubs provides youth development programming across 4,000+ club locations in the US. While focused on after-school programming rather than outdoor adventure, it serves a comparable youth development mission with broader reach.
Direct peers
- Search Institute: Search Institute develops and researches the Developmental Assets framework for positive youth development. Its evidence-based model and research on youth thriving directly parallels Project Venture's positive youth development approach.
- Trees, Water & People: Trees, Water & People supports sustainable community development and conservation in Indigenous communities. It is a current Project Venture partner and shares the environmental and cultural stewardship mission for Native communities.
- Outward Bound USA: Outward Bound runs adventure-based experiential education programs for youth and adults, including the original model that inspired Project Venture's approach. Both organizations use outdoor expeditions, challenge, and reflection to build leadership and resilience in young people.
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS is a global leader in wilderness education and outdoor leadership training for young people. It is also a stated Project Venture partner, reflecting overlapping mission in outdoor skill-building and leadership development for youth.
- Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots: Roots & Shoots is a youth-led community action and service learning program founded by Dr. Jane Goodall. It is a current Project Venture partner and shares the experiential, community-driven, and youth-empowerment model.
- Wings of America: Wings of America supports Indigenous youth through running and athletics programs. It is a current Project Venture partner and shares the mission of empowering Native American youth through cultural connection and physical activity.
Regional players
- First Nations Behavioral Health Association: FNBHA is a Native-led organization promoting behavioral health and wellness for American Indian/Alaska Native communities. It recognized Project Venture in 2007 with an Exemplary Program Award and addresses overlapping substance abuse prevention goals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Project Venture social profiles
Digital presenceProject Venture compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Project Venture financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Project Venture leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Project Venture funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Project Venture 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 Project Venture
What does Project Venture do?
Project Venture delivers an evidence-based, adventure-based experiential learning program that combines outdoor activities with service learning and culturally-based leadership to prevent substance abuse and decrease depression, anxiety, and anger among Indigenous youth. The flagship model, complemented by Project Pre-Venture, PV Mentoring, Venture Beyond Prevention, Walking in Strength, and Project Radical Hope, is offered free to participants through partnerships with schools and tribal communities. Training & Technical Assistance workshops enable external communities to adapt and implement the model locally.
Is Project Venture a public or private company?
Project Venture is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Project Venture founded?
Project Venture was founded in 1984. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Project Venture based?
Project Venture is headquartered in Albuquerque, United States, in the North America region.
How does Project Venture make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are training and Technical Assistance.
Who are Project Venture's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National 4-H Council, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Direct peers are Search Institute, Trees, Water & People, Outward Bound USA, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots and Wings of America. First Nations Behavioral Health Association is listed as a regional player.
Does Project Venture have an API?
No public API is recorded for Project Venture.
What industry is Project Venture in?
Project Venture's product category is Youth Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAOAD, School, University & NGO Outdoor Programs (Curriculum/Program Delivery), with a secondary code of THAAAOAG, Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs. Its NAICS code is 611710.