Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group

What Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group does

Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group (VOAG) is a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization founded in 2012 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, that promotes outdoor adjunct therapy for U.S. military veterans experiencing mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The organization delivers its mission through three core programs: the VOAG Coalition (a nationwide network of 17 partner organizations providing modalities including rock climbing, paddleboarding, off-road expeditions, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, sailing, and wilderness retreats); the 31 For 31 Project (a 2022 initiative taking 31 veterans into the outdoors over 31 weeks); and federal legislative advocacy, including the successful inclusion of the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Outdoors Act (H.R. 2435) in the Veterans' COMPACT Act (H.R. 8247), which passed both chambers in fall 2020.

VOAG operates with a small team of 1-10 staff, with leadership distributed across Denver (Executive Director Ben Davis), Arlington VA (Operations Director Ian Crumley), Park City UT (Chief Legal Officer Byron Harvison), and Gunnison County CO (Veterans Services Officer Stephen Otero). The leadership team is composed almost entirely of combat veterans (Navy SEALs, Army officers, Air Force, and Naval Academy graduates), lending direct credibility to the mission. The organization also participates in the federal Task Force on Outdoor Recreation for Veterans.

Revenue is generated entirely through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations, and programs are provided at no cost to veteran participants. The go-to-market model is community-led: word-of-mouth within the veteran community, coalition partnerships, and organic social media presence (notably Instagram for both VOAG and each coalition member). The organization has no technology products, proprietary platforms, or AI/ML components; its core value lies in advocacy, coalition coordination, and direct program delivery through partners.

Name

Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group

Legal name

Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group

Website

https://voag.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group is a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit founded in 2012 that promotes outdoor adjunct therapy for U.S. military veterans through a coalition of 17 partner organizations, direct programming like the 31 For 31 Project, and federal legislative advocacy including the Veterans' COMPACT Act.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization founded in 2012, VOAG is funded through charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations who support outdoor therapy for veterans. The website encourages visitors to 'Support the Cause' and make donations to facilitate and promote the use of adjunct outdoor therapy for those who served.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

VOAG is a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofit that promotes outdoor adjunct therapy for U.S. military veterans as a complement to traditional mental health treatment. It operates the VOAG Coalition of 17 partner organizations delivering diverse outdoor therapy modalities (climbing, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, sailing, paddleboarding, off-road expeditions, wilderness retreats), runs the 31 For 31 Project to take veterans into the outdoors, and conducts federal advocacy that contributed to legislative recognition of veterans' outdoor recovery programs.

Product overview

Veterans' Outdoor Advocacy Group (VOAG) is a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) non-profit organization founded in 2012 that operates as a mission-driven advocacy and programming organization rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings consist of the VOAG Coalition (a network of veteran outdoor therapy partner organizations), the 31 for 31 Project (outdoor experiences for veterans), and legislative advocacy for the Veterans' COMPACT Act. VOAG's products focus on delivering research, advocacy, and access to outdoor adjunct therapy for veterans' mental health rather than technology products or platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VOAG Coalition A collaborative network of 17 veteran outdoor therapy partner organizations that advocates for outdoor adjunct therapy and establishes quality standards and best practices for implementation across modalities including rock climbing, paddleboarding, off-road expeditions, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, sailing, and wilderness retreats. Targeted at U.S. military veterans seeking outdoor therapy options.
• 31 for 31 Project An initiative taking 31 veterans into the outdoors over 31 weeks, providing therapeutic outdoor experiences for veterans in need through coalition partners. Targeted at U.S. military veterans nominated or referred to the program.
• Research and Advocacy Program Delivers research and advocacy efforts to promote the benefits of outdoor adjunct therapy for veterans and drive access to these therapeutic programs and to public lands. Targeted at policymakers, public lands stakeholders, and the veteran community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 31 veterans to be taken into the outdoors over 31 weeks in 2022 through the 31 For 31 Project

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Crux Wilderness TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in San Diego, CA, Crux Wilderness Therapy provides veterans and their families with sustainable long-term strategies for physical and mental health through outdoor rock climbing education and instruction. Focuses on making veterans comfortable getting outdoors independently and with friends and family.
• SUP VetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 501(c)(3) organization helping military heroes build better lives through the healing power of the ocean, shared camaraderie, and the joy of stand-up paddleboard surfing.
• Military MobilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Cody, Wyoming, Military Mobility is a nonprofit specializing in off-road expeditions and resiliency training for veterans, putting clients in a team environment that fosters camaraderie, trust, and overcomes challenges.
• Arizona Trail Association VETS ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Tucson, AZ, the ATA VETS Program connects veterans with the Arizona National Scenic Trail (800 miles from Mexico to Utah), creating meaningful opportunities on and off the trail for military veterans.
• The Dirt Therapy ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in San Antonio, TX, The Dirt Therapy Project gets the Military Community on mountain bikes in the great outdoors, bringing over 30 years of riding experience to veterans of all skill levels.
• BHA Armed Forces InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide program providing military community members with knowledge, experience, and passion needed to be fully operational as hunters and anglers and as conservation stewards for habitat and wildlife.
• Camp HerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in McKee, KY, Camp Hero provides outdoor therapy for veterans and first responders through nature immersion activities (hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, ATV riding, cave exploring, shooting, archery) in the Appalachian Mountains at no cost to participants for 1-5 days.
• Skeleton Crew AdventurescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Kemah, TX, Skeleton Crew Adventures provides veterans and first responders living with PTSD the opportunity to heal at sea using research-based adventure therapy methods.
• Soldiers on SingletrackcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA veteran-led downhill and enduro mountain bike crew and race team based in Oakridge, OR, supporting veterans in managing service-related stress through a community of like-minded individuals pursuing purpose through high-intensity mountain biking.
• Heroes' HarvestscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Boulder, CO, Heroes' Harvests provides therapeutic hunting, fishing, and outdoor experiences for service members, active duty, reserve, national guard, veterans, and Gold Star families, and supports transitioning service members seeking outdoor industry careers.
• Outdoors For All FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Seattle, WA, Outdoors for All Foundation transforms lives through outdoor recreation and is a national leader in delivering adaptive and therapeutic recreation for children and adults with disabilities, including veterans.
• Highlander EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Denver, CO, Highlander Events hosts trail rucking and running races in mountain and desert locations, creating a community of like-minded individuals who find comfort through discomfort.
• SUP4TEAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in San Antonio, TX, SUP4TEAM combines stand-up paddleboarding with helping servant leaders, bringing therapeutic water sport benefits to those whose service to others has come with stress and isolation.
• Two Wolf FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Hamilton, MT, Two Wolf Foundation mobilizes combat veterans and first responders to serve with new purpose towards protection, conservation, and sustainment of US public land systems through overland adventure and land stewardship.
• Climb4coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Virginia Beach, VA, Climb4 is a veteran-founded charity that provides necessary gear for veterans in need and enables healing of physical and emotional wounds through adventure in the great outdoors.
• Huts for VetscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Basalt, CO, Huts for Vets offers no-cost wilderness therapy retreats featuring guided hikes, group discussions, and community-building activities to help veterans adjust to civilian life by enhancing mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
• Sail to WincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased in Newport, RI, Sail to Win honors and empowers wounded veterans, first responders, and people with disabilities by training, educating, and competing in sailing competitions around the globe, bringing adaptive and able-bodied athletes together.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Outdoor Mindset: Outdoor Mindset uses outdoor group experiences to support veterans and others with brain injuries and PTSD. It is an emerging peer focused on a narrower subset (brain-injured veterans) of the same outdoor therapy category.

Broad incumbents

• American Legion: The American Legion is one of the largest U.S. wartime veteran service organizations, providing advocacy, benefits assistance, and community programs. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping advocacy and veteran-support functions, though its scope is much larger than VOAG's.
• Team Rubicon: Team Rubicon mobilizes veterans for disaster response and community service, with a strong outdoor and leadership-development component. It is a broad incumbent in the veteran service space with overlapping mission areas around veteran reintegration.
• Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project is one of the largest U.S. veteran service nonprofits, addressing mental health, physical rehabilitation, and transition support. It is comparable as a broad incumbent in the veteran-welfare space where VOAG operates, though it is not outdoor-therapy specific.

Direct peers

• Soldier On: Soldier On provides housing, employment, and outdoor recreation programs to veterans. It is a direct peer delivering outdoor and supportive services to homeless and at-risk veterans in the same beneficiary segment.
• Heroes on the Water: Heroes on the Water provides kayak fishing and outdoor experiences for veterans, first responders, and their families. It is a direct peer offering outdoor therapy programs to the same target demographic through similar modality-based delivery.
• Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB): Team RWB is a veteran nonprofit that builds community through physical, social, and civic activities including outdoor events. It is the closest direct peer because both organizations focus on veterans' wellness via outdoor recreation and community-building.
• Warrior Expeditions: Warrior Expeditions facilitates multi-day outdoor wilderness expeditions for combat veterans to aid their transition. It is a direct peer in the veteran outdoor therapy / adventure-based recovery space.
• Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing: Project Healing Waters uses fly fishing as outdoor therapy for disabled veterans. It is a direct peer because it delivers the same outdoor-adjunct-therapy model for veterans' mental and physical recovery that VOAG advocates for.

Others

• Student Veterans of America: Student Veterans of America supports veterans in higher education through chapters, advocacy, and community. It is a thematically related veteran-serving nonprofit but does not focus on outdoor therapy; included as an adjacent ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/veteran-s-outdoor-advocacy-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Veteran's Outdoor Advocacy Group