Women's Wilderness

Name

Women's Wilderness

Legal name

Women's Wilderness

Website

https://womenswilderness.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education and Wilderness Programming

NAICS

Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB), Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)

Keywords

• Outdoor education programs
• Wilderness leadership training
• Community outdoor programming
• Youth outdoor adventures
• Wilderness skill courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Boulder

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Primary revenue stream from individual donations, monthly SustainHER Circle donors, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit reliant on charitable contributions.
2. Course Fees: Revenue from paid outdoor programming including youth camps, adult courses, and custom group programs. Sliding scale pricing model with financial aid available to ensure accessibility.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Women's Wilderness is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs and delivers outdoor experiential education programs including backpacking, rock climbing, sailing, trail building, and yoga for girls, women, and non-binary people. It offers identity-affinity programs (Trailblazers for BIPOC adults, Outdoor G.I.R.L.S. for newcomer/refugee youth, Girls Lead for Life for adolescents), flagship gatherings like the Summit Sisters Retreat and Sol Sisters mountain weekend, custom corporate/group programs, and a sliding-scale pricing model with financial aid to ensure access.

Product overview

Women's Wilderness is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of outdoor experiences and programs designed to create space for girls, women, and non-binary people to find their place, voice, and power in the outdoors. The organization operates multiple program categories including Youth Programs (such as Outdoor G.I.R.L.S. for immigrant and refugee leadership, and Girls Lead for Life climbing program), Adult Programs (including Trailblazers BIPOC affinity space, Summit Sisters annual retreats, and various skill-building courses like backpacking, rock climbing, and sailing), Custom Programs for private groups, and Community Events (such as the I Can 5k Fun-raiser). The portfolio also includes the SustainHER Circle monthly donor program and various donation options including stock donations and donor advised funds. Programs utilize a sliding scale pricing model with tiered rates to ensure accessibility, and the organization maintains partnerships with organizations like The Phoenix, Community Sailing of Colorado, and Continental Divide Trail Coalition to expand program offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summit Sisters Retreat Flagship annual four-day/three-night retreat for adult women and non-binary individuals covering wilderness skills, movement practices, and intentional community building; pricing at $425/$495/$595 sliding scale with lodging and meals included.
• Sol Sisters Mountain Weekend Three-day mountain retreat created by and for BIPOC women featuring optional guided hikes or runs, wilderness safety and navigation, yoga, meditation, and restorative practices in Colorado's Rocky Mountains; pricing at $300/$350/$400 sliding scale.
• Trailblazers Affinity space for adult women and non-binary people who identify as BIPOC, led by BIPOC women with wilderness training; provides outdoor programming that celebrates diversity, offers validation away from dominant culture, and supports healing, community building, and mental health.
• Trailblazers Mindful Yoga and Meditation Series Weekly yoga and meditation sessions delivered in partnership with The Phoenix, offering intentional slow flow yoga and meditation designed with BIPOC women and non-binary individuals in recovery in mind; free programming.
• Introduction to Outdoor Rock Climbing Single-day course in Golden, CO for women and non-binary individuals with gym climbing experience transitioning to outdoor rock climbing; teaches essential techniques and safety protocols including anchor cleaning, all top-roping; pricing at $115/$130/$145 sliding scale.
• 3-Day Beginner Backpacking Adventure Three-day, two-night backpacking adventure in Golden Gate Canyon State Park for those new to backpacking; covers essential backcountry skills over seven miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain; pricing at $415/$495/$575 sliding scale.
• Adventure Backpack Youth Program Five-day backpacking course through Golden Gate Canyon State Park designed for rising 7th–9th grade girls and gender-expansive youth, strengthening confidence in wilderness skills and fostering belonging; pricing at $1,100–$1,350 sliding scale.
• Peak Ready Hike Single conditioning hikes within the Peak Ready Series for women and non-binary adventurers, providing distance and elevation change to support aerobic fitness along with a supportive community; $75/$85/$95 sliding scale. The Peak Ready Series itself launched in January 2024.
• Introduction to Sailing Beginner-friendly sailing experience taught in partnership with Community Sailing of Colorado at Cherry Creek Reservoir; participants learn boat handling, steering, points of sail, and sail trim on stable keelboats; pricing at $115/$130/$145 sliding scale.
• Volunteer Trail Building Project with Continental Divide Trail Coalition Three-day, two-night volunteer event partnering with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition for trail maintenance on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail; includes backpacking into backcountry, trail work, and community building; $75 covers partial cost of food, gear, transportation, and staffing.
• Custom Programs Private company outings and custom courses for women and non-binary groups, and corporate team building, led by women-focused instructors; activities include camping, hiking, team building, and rock climbing tailored to group needs; custom pricing based on group size and activities.
• Outdoor G.I.R.L.S. (Immigrant & Refugee Leadership Series) Affinity space for newcomer, asylee, and first-generation American girls to learn about themselves and each other through outdoor experiences; helps bolster self-esteem and agency while supporting leadership development.
• Girls Lead for Life Climbing-based program for adolescent girls and non-binary youth offering leadership, self-advocacy, community building, body positivity, and emotional regulation skills in a supportive and welcoming environment.
• Adult Weekend Camping Trips Weekend-long camping trips providing opportunities for women to experience nature in a supportive community setting with options for various skill levels.
• Rafting Programs Water-based outdoor programs offering rafting experiences as part of the multi-sport outdoor activity offerings.
• SustainHER Circle Monthly Donor Program Monthly recurring donor program that provides consistent cash flow and reliable financial base for the organization, enabling planning and continued investment in programs.
• I Can 5k Fun-raiser Community-focused 5k event benefiting Women's Wilderness programming, welcoming all ages, genders, and abilities; proceeds support outdoor education, leadership training, and wilderness access programs; free with suggested $25 donation.
• Donor Advised Funds Tax-advantaged charitable giving option allowing donors to contribute cash, securities, or assets to a Donor Advised Fund, receive immediate tax write-off, and recommend grants to Women's Wilderness anytime.
• Stock Donations Donation option for publicly-traded stocks through the Stock Donator platform; enables donors to contribute appreciated securities without paying capital gains tax while receiving a tax deduction.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of participants felt more confident and capable of accomplishing difficult things
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 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

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• REI Co-OpcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor outdoor retail partner supporting Women's Wilderness programs and events. REI provides sponsorship, product donations, and community support for outdoor programming.
• CotopaximoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor apparel brand providing sponsorship, gear donations, and event support for Women's Wilderness programming.
• City of BouldermoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerMunicipal partner providing support and resources for community outdoor programming in Boulder.
• Life's 2 Short FitnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal woman-led outdoor company partnering on Peak Ready hiking series for training and adventure retreats including Kilimanjaro expeditions.
• Outdoor ResearchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor gear brand providing product support and sponsorship for outdoor programming.
• Arc'teryxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium outdoor apparel brand providing gear donations and sponsorship support.
• Sierra DesignsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor equipment brand providing gear support for programming and event sponsorship.
• MiiRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor brand providing product donations and support for community events.
• Movement GymsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFitness facility partner supporting community wellness and movement programming.
• BranwynminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner providing sponsorship and support for women's wellness programming.
• FeralminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor brand partner supporting community events and programming.
• Backcountry PulseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor education platform partner supporting backcountry programming.
• Cairn ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit partner supporting outdoor access and adventure programming.
• Mtn StuffminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal outdoor gear partner providing product support.
• Community Sailing of ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Wind Women Water sailing program. CSC provides sailing instruction, boats, and facilities while Women's Wilderness recruits participants for learn-to-sail programming at Cherry Creek Reservoir.
• Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit collaborating on volunteer trail maintenance projects along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. CDTC works with federal agencies to complete, elevate, and protect the 3,100-mile CDT.
• The PhoenixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide nonprofit network providing affirming spaces for sobriety and community building. Partnership delivers Mindful Yoga and Meditation Series for BIPOC women and non-binary individuals in recovery.
• C4DminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization providing support for community programming.
• 3W RacesmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRace organization hosting the I Can 5k Fun-raiser benefit event for Women's Wilderness, providing event infrastructure and participant management.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brown Girls Climb: Brown Girls Climb is a nonprofit advancing climbing access and representation for women and BIPOC communities. It directly parallels Women's Wilderness in its mission to create affinity-based outdoor spaces for underrepresented groups, and its climbing-specific focus overlaps with Women's Wilderness' Girls Lead for Life and Outdoor Rock Climbing programs.
• Outdoor Afro: Outdoor Afro is a national nonprofit connecting Black communities to nature through joyful outdoor experiences including hiking, camping, and water activities. It overlaps directly with Women's Wilderness' Trailblazers and Outdoor G.I.R.L.S. affinity programming for BIPOC women and youth.
• Melanin Base Camp: Melanin Base Camp is a media and community platform increasing diversity in the outdoors. While more media-focused than Women's Wilderness, it shares the same equity-driven audience, content-marketing approach, and BIPOC outdoor affinity positioning, making it a strong comparable on mission and GTM motion.
• GirlVentures: GirlVentures is a Bay Area nonprofit empowering girls and gender-expansive youth through wilderness adventure and leadership programs. It is a close comparable to Women's Wilderness' Adventure Backpack, Girls Lead for Life, and Outdoor G.I.R.L.S. youth offerings, with similar sliding-scale access model.
• GirlTrek: GirlTrek is the largest public health nonprofit for Black women and girls, mobilizing them through walking and hiking. Its community-led health-and-outdoors mission and large-scale affinity programming closely mirror Women's Wilderness' community-driven, identity-focused outdoor access model.
• Big City Mountaineers: Big City Mountaineers is a nonprofit providing wilderness mentoring experiences for under-resourced urban youth. It is highly comparable to Women's Wilderness' youth leadership and outdoor access programming, with a similar gear-lending and scholarship-supported participation model.
• The Phoenix: The Phoenix is a national nonprofit using climbing, community, and sober active events to support people in recovery. It is a current Women's Wilderness partner (Trailblazers Mindful Yoga Series) and a direct comparable on affinity-based wellness programming for underserved populations.
• Life's 2 Short Fitness: Life's 2 Short Fitness is a woman-led outdoor adventure company co-developing the Peak Ready Series and Kilimanjaro expeditions with Women's Wilderness. Its women-focused hiking and conditioning programming directly overlaps with Women's Wilderness' adult outdoor offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound: Outward Bound is the largest outdoor education nonprofit in the U.S., offering wilderness expeditions for youth and adults. It is comparable as a broad incumbent in outdoor experiential learning, but its general-population focus contrasts with Women's Wilderness' specialized identity-affinity niche.
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): NOLS is the leading wilderness education school offering field-based courses in backpacking, climbing, and expedition planning. Its curriculum and instructor-training model are comparable to Women's Wilderness' backpacking, climbing, and navigation programs, but NOLS operates as a tuition-driven school rather than an equity-focused nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/womenswilderness
• Facebookfacebook.com/womenswilderness
• Instagraminstagram.com/womenswilderness
• Xx.com/wmswilderness

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 Women's Wilderness