Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA)

What Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) does

Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and official local chapter of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), founded in 1996 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The organization designs, builds, and maintains natural surface, multi-use trails for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Since inception, CORA has built and maintained over 120 miles of trails with a stated vision of reaching 375 miles by 2030, alongside 14 neighborhood bike skills courses and 4 regional bike parks. The organization's core technical competency lies in sustainable trail design for clay-rich regional soils, applying industry-standard techniques such as rolling contour, half rule, grade reversals, and outslope methodology, supplemented by a proprietary Red-Yellow-Green-Blue color-coded trail conditions monitoring system to protect trail sustainability during vulnerable weather conditions.

CORA's business model is a community-led, grant- and donation-funded nonprofit operation. Revenue is generated through tiered monthly memberships ($5, $10, $25, $50, and $100+/month), general donations, and grants from sources including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Appalachian Community Grants, Ohio Trails Partnership, L'Oreal Foundation, and Kentucky Recreational Trails Project. The organization serves two primary customer groups: individual trail enthusiasts (mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, families) who access trails free of charge on public lands, and government agencies and land managers (Great Parks of Hamilton County, Cincinnati Parks, ODNR, Warren County Park District, Kenton County Parks, City of Erlanger, Anderson Township/Anderson Park District, City of Dayton KY, Fairfield Parks and Recreation) who receive professional trail planning, volunteer coordination, and construction services. Distribution is hybrid — self-service through the coratrails.org website for memberships, donations, and event registration, paired with direct field-based partnership engagement with public-sector and nonprofit collaborators.

The organization operates with 1-10 employees (including Board President Brady DeLong, Project Manager Diana Bolton, Trail Crew Manager Troy Warnken, and Trail Development Director Jason Reser) and leverages a substantial volunteer base that has contributed over 100,000 hours since 1996. CORA's strategic posture emphasizes deep institutional partnerships — including the co-led Northern Kentucky Regional Trails Plan with Tri-State Trails targeting a 934-mile braided network across Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties — and recent product launches including Mt. Airy Bike Skills Course (October 2025), Mitchell Memorial Forest Bike Skills Course (November 2025), Avoca MTB Trail (September 2025), and the in-progress Eons Park bike park in Erlanger, KY. Recognition includes the NACPRO 2026 Award (with Great Parks of Hamilton County), Candid Platinum Transparency 2023, and 1% for the Planet nonprofit partner status.

Name

Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA)

Legal name

Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance

Website

https://coratrails.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and IMBA chapter that designs, builds, and maintains natural surface multi-use trails across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, serving trail enthusiasts and government land managers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Recreation Services and Trail Construction

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling / MTB / E-Bike Guiding & Rentals (THAAALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Outdoor Guiding Services (Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering) (THAAALAA), Hiking, Trekking & Mountain Guiding (THAJABAA)

Keywords

• Natural surface trail building
• Mountain bike trails
• Trail maintenance services
• Outdoor recreation nonprofit
• Bike skills course design

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Monthly sustaining donations from members at various tiers ($5, $10, $25, $50, $100+ per month). All membership contributions stay local to fund trail building, maintenance, volunteer programs, and equipment.
2. General Donations: One-time and recurring donations from supporters to support trail projects and organizational operations.
3. Grant Funding: Funding from government agencies and foundations including Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Appalachian Community Grants, Ohio Trails Partnership grants, L'Oreal Foundation Watershed Improvement Grant, and Recreational Trails Project (RTP) grants from Kentucky.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CORA designs, builds, and maintains a regional network of sustainable natural surface multi-use trails, neighborhood bike skills courses, and large-scale regional bike parks for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The organization delivers this through volunteer-driven trail construction days, professional trail design consultation to government land managers, and a tiered monthly membership program that funds tools, equipment, and capital projects. CORA also maintains a color-coded Trail Conditions Reporting System that informs users when trails are sustainable for use.

Product overview

Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) is a non-profit organization (501c3) that serves as the local chapter of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). CORA's core offerings consist of designing, building, and maintaining natural surface multi-use trails across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, complemented by neighborhood bike skills courses and regional bike parks. The organization operates through volunteer trail-building programs, a membership system, and collaborative planning initiatives like the NKY Regional Trails Plan and Little Miami River Valley Outdoor Recreation Corridor. Since 1996, CORA has built over 120 miles of trails with a goal of reaching 375 miles by 2030. CORA also provides a trail conditions reporting system (Red-Yellow-Green-Blue status) to help users make informed decisions about trail access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CORA Membership Program Tiered monthly membership at $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100+ levels that funds specific trail tools, equipment, bridges, wayfinding, and new trail plans. Members receive email updates and eligibility for contests such as trips to the Baileys Trail System. Intended for individuals who wish to support CORA's trail-building mission across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
• Volunteer Trail Building Program Organized volunteer trail days (Dig Days) where community members participate in trail building and maintenance, with CORA providing training and equipment. Targets community members who want hands-on involvement in building and maintaining the trail network.
• Trail Conditions Reporting System Color-coded trail status communication system (Green, Yellow, Red, Blue) informing trail users when trails are suitable for use. Protects trail sustainability during vulnerable conditions such as rain or freeze/thaw cycles on the region's clay soils. Available free to all trail users.
• Mt. Airy Bike Skills Course Neighborhood bike skills course located within Cincinnati Parks, designed by Progressive Bike Ramps and constructed by Innovative Dirt Solutions. First beginner natural surface bike trail experience within the City of Cincinnati. Built for riders learning to ride on natural surfaces.
• Mitchell Memorial Forest Bike Skills Course and Skills Loop Bike skills course and skills loop developed by CORA in partnership with Great Parks of Hamilton County. Adds to Mitchell Memorial Forest's existing 8-9 miles of natural-surface trails for mountain biking, hiking, and trail running.
• Avoca Mountain Bike Trail New 1.5-mile mountain bike trail at Avoca Trailhead, directly connected to the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Provides the first natural-surface riding opportunity in a convenient location for families and new riders in the region.
• Eons Park Bike Park First phase of Eons Adventure Park trails and bike park being built in Erlanger, KY near CVG Airport. Part of a planned 1,000-acre urban woodland adventure park with trails and bike park facilities. Construction completed by Innovative Dirt Solutions.
• Clear Creek Bike Park Centerpiece of the Little Miami River Valley Outdoor Recreation Corridor, planned to feature approximately 9.5 miles of natural trails and a dedicated skills development area. Located along the Little Miami Corridor near Route 32, serving neighborhood families, youth programs, and regional visitors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120 miles of natural surface trails built and maintained since 1996
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Tri-State TrailscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-lead organization for the Northern Kentucky Regional Trails Plan alongside CORA. Tri-State Trails leads planning efforts while CORA focuses on natural surface trail development. The partnership aims to create a 934-mile braided trail network across Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties.
• Great Parks of Hamilton CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partner for multiple trail projects including Mitchell Memorial Forest Bike Skills Course, Avoca Loop, and the Little Miami River Valley Outdoor Recreation Corridor. Great Parks hosts 8-9 miles of natural surface trails and collaborates on new trail development.
• Cincinnati ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Mt. Airy Bike Skills Course and other trail projects within the Cincinnati Parks system. Collaboration includes trail design, construction, and maintenance of natural surface multi-use trails.
• Cincinnati Parks FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding and support partner for Mt. Airy Bike Skills Course project. Provides philanthropic support for park improvement projects in collaboration with CORA.
• Warren County Park DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Landen Deerfield Park trail renovation project. Project funded by Ohio Trails Partnership through ODNR grant.
• Groundwork Ohio River ValleysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Goltra Preserve trail development in East Westwood neighborhood. Collaboration focuses on bringing trails to underserved communities with workforce development opportunities.
• The Hillside TrustsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Goltra Preserve on Hillside Trust-preserved property between Brokaw and Montana Avenues, connecting to Mt. Airy mountain bike trails.
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for trail projects at Caeser Creek State Park, Stonelick State Park, and East Fork State Park. ODNR provides funding through various grant programs including Appalachian Community Grants and Ohio Trails Partnership.
• City of Erlanger, KYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Eons Adventure Park development. The planned 1,000-acre urban woodland adventure park will feature trails and bike park facilities near CVG Airport and the I-75/71 corridor.
• Kenton CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Fox Run Park development with planned mountain bike trails. Part of Northern Kentucky Regional Trails Plan connecting to Lincoln Ridge Park and surrounding communities.
• Anderson TownshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Clear Creek Bike Park and Little Miami River Valley Outdoor Recreation Corridor. The bike park will feature approximately 9.5 miles of natural trails.
• Anderson Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Clear Creek Bike Park project. Located along the Little Miami Corridor near Route 32, the park will serve neighborhood families, youth programs, and regional visitors.
• Progressive Bike RampssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationIndustry leader in bike facility construction and design selected to design Mt. Airy Bike Skills Park. Previously built Mt. Airy Skills Course and has designed bike parks nationwide.
• Innovative Dirt SolutionssecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTrail construction firm building Eons Park trails and bike park. Also constructed the Mt. Airy Skills Course for Progressive Bike Ramps.
• Applied Trails ResearchsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationTrail planning consultants led by Dr. Jeremy Wimpey and Scott Linnenburger. Conducted opportunity study for the Little Miami Natural Surface Trail Corridor, bringing world-class sustainable trail design expertise.
• OneNKY AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerInspiration and alignment partner for Northern Kentucky Regional Trails Plan. Regional economic development alliance driving collaboration across Northern Kentucky.
• East Westwood Improvement AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Goltra Preserve project in historically underserved East Westwood neighborhood. Collaboration focuses on trail access, greenspace expansion, and workforce development.
• City of Dayton, KYsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Sargeant Park trail restoration and urban trail development. Park reopened with improved trails, signage, and accessibility.
• Fairfield Parks and RecreationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Harbin Park Trail Refresh project. Collaboration includes volunteer trail days, signage improvements, and sustainable design practices.
• International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCORA is an official IMBA chapter, providing access to national advocacy resources, best practices, trail standards, and the Action Cultivator Tool (ACT) for grassroots organizing.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Groundwork Ohio River Valley: Local nonprofit partner focused on trails, greenspace, and workforce development in the Cincinnati region; shares CORA's mission of community-led trail building and environmental equity.
• Pisgah Area SORBA: Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association chapter serving Western North Carolina; directly comparable IMBA-affiliated chapter focused on mountain bike trail advocacy and volunteer-driven construction.
• Tri-State Trails: CORA's co-lead on the NKY Regional Trails Plan; operates the regional paved trails vision while CORA focuses on natural surface. Highly comparable as a small regional trail-advocacy nonprofit in the same tri-state geography.
• Appalachian Mountain Bike Club: Regional IMBA chapter focused on mountain bike trail building in the Appalachian region; closely analogous to CORA in operating model, volunteer structure, and trail-building mission.
• Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance: Pacific Northwest IMBA chapter; comparable in being a regional trail-building nonprofit with government partnerships, tiered memberships, and a long-term vision for a regional trail network.
• Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association: Colorado-based mountain bike nonprofit that builds and maintains trails in partnership with public land managers; highly comparable as an IMBA-style chapter with similar volunteer and government-partnership model.
• Brown County Indiana Mountain Bike Association: Indiana-based mountain bike advocacy nonprofit building and maintaining natural surface trails; comparable in scale, mission, and proximity to CORA's tri-state geography.

Broad incumbents

• Sustainable Trails Coalition: National advocacy organization for sustainable trail design and non-motorized recreation, providing frameworks similar to those CORA applies in its clay-soil trail design.
• Rails-to-Trails Conservancy: National nonprofit advocating for multi-use trail networks; comparable as a larger organization pursuing connected regional trail systems similar to CORA's 375-mile and NKY 934-mile visions.
• International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA): National umbrella for mountain biking advocacy and CORA's parent chapter network. Directly comparable as the national-level counterpart to CORA's local chapter mission.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@coratrails
• Facebookfacebook.com/coratrails
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/coratrails
• Instagraminstagram.com/coratrails

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA)