Association of Northwest Steelheaders

What Association of Northwest Steelheaders does

The Association of Northwest Steelheaders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and sport-fishing advocacy organization founded in 1960 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, operating across Oregon and Washington through nine chapters (Central Oregon, Clackamas River, Columbia River, Emerald Empire, Mid-Valley, Salem, Sandy River, Tualatin Valley, with Central Oregon added in October 2025). Its mission centers on protecting and enhancing salmon and steelhead populations, public river access, and recreational fishing opportunity. The organization is led by an Executive Director with a small staff (10 employees) supported by a 15+ member Board of Directors and a network of 1,200+ members and volunteers.

The portfolio is organized into three program pillars: angling (Hooked on Family Fishing Day, Veteran's Program in partnership with The Fallen Outdoors, and the Northwest Mayflies women's program); education (Fish Eggs to Fry in 700+ Oregon classrooms via ODFW's STEP program and the Garden for Wildlife certification with the National Wildlife Federation); and advocacy (Lower Snake River dam removal, Columbia River management reform, public river access, hatchery modernization, and salmon habitat protection). Direct operational assets include the Letz Creek STEP Hatchery, which raises 15,000 winter steelhead annually, and the Emerald Empire Chapter hatchery releasing 25,000-30,000 steelhead per year. Technical infrastructure is standard nonprofit stack — a WordPress website, EveryAction for membership/email, and social channels — with no proprietary technology products.

Revenue is diversified across individual memberships ($40/year or $10+/month sustaining), tax-deductible donations, the annual Hall of Fame Banquet fundraiser ($90-100 tickets plus table sponsorships), the Fred Meyer Community Rewards program, planned giving (bequests, charitable trusts, IRA rollovers), and grants from institutional funders including Spirit Mountain Community Fund (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), NOAA B-WET, Applied Materials, Clackamas Water Environment Services, and Meyer Memorial Trust. The organization does not publicly disclose revenue.

Name

Association of Northwest Steelheaders

Legal name

Association of Northwest Steelheaders Inc

Website

https://nwsteelheaders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association of Northwest Steelheaders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1960 that protects Pacific Northwest salmon and steelhead through nine Oregon and Washington chapters, delivering angling, education, and advocacy programs to 1,200+ members and 700+ classrooms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fisheries Conservation Advocacy

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Salmonid Hatcheries (Salmon, Trout, Char) (AFAEAKAD)

Keywords

• Salmon conservation advocacy
• Steelhead habitat protection
• Fishing education programs
• Conservation nonprofit membership
• Outdoor recreation community

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership at $40 per year and sustaining membership at $10+ per month providing recurring revenue from over 1,200 members.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting salmon and steelhead conservation efforts.
3. Hall of Fame Banquet and Auction: Annual fundraiser event with ticket sales, sponsorships, and auction proceeds. Registration is $90-100 per person with table sponsorships available.
4. Fred Meyer Community Rewards: Quarterly donations from Fred Meyer based on member shopping activity at no cost to members.
5. Planned Giving: Bequests, retirement plan designations, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and IRA charitable rollovers from legacy donors.
6. Grants and Funders: Funding from organizations including Spirit Mountain Community Fund (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), NOAA B-WET, Applied Materials, Clackamas Water Environment Services, and Meyer Memorial Trust.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Association of Northwest Steelheaders is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects and enhances Pacific Northwest salmon and steelhead fisheries through chapter-based advocacy, angler education, habitat restoration, and hatchery support. It sells annual ($40) and sustaining ($10+/month) memberships, runs programs such as Fish Eggs to Fry in 700+ classrooms, Veterans Fishing Days, the Northwest Mayflies women's program, and Hall of Fame Banquet fundraising events. The organization actively campaigns for Lower Snake River dam removal, Columbia River management reform, and public river access.

Product overview

The Association of Northwest Steelheaders operates a portfolio of conservation, education, and advocacy programs unified around the mission of enhancing and protecting salmon and steelhead fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. The core offerings include: (1) Angling programs such as the Hooked on Family Fishing Day event, the Veterans Fishing Program in partnership with The Fallen Outdoors, and the Northwest Mayflies women's fishing program; (2) Education programs including the Fish Eggs to Fry classroom salmon-hatching initiative operated through ODFW's STEP program, and the Garden for Wildlife certification program partnered with the National Wildlife Federation; (3) Advocacy campaigns focused on Lower Snake River dam removal, Columbia River management reform, public river access protection, and hatchery modernization; and (4) Chapter-based membership organization with local meetings, the Hall of Fame annual fundraiser, and a merchandise shop. The organization does not offer technology products but provides these programmatic services to over 1,200 members and volunteers across chapters in Oregon and Washington.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Northwest Mayflies: Women led fishing program under the Women's Program initiative

Products and services

• Fish Eggs to Fry A classroom salmon and trout egg hatching program operated in partnership with ODFW's STEP initiative. The program brings salmon or trout eggs into Oregon classrooms for students to observe and raise while learning about salmon as a keystone species, including water quality testing and fry release events. Steelheaders have funded more than 100 of the aquariums and chillers used by classrooms.
• Hooked on Family Fishing Day A one-day family fishing event along the Sandy River where families learn fishing skills together at a scenic camp. Kids and adults fish a stocked pond, play games, plan fishing adventures, and participate in angler education.
• Veterans Fishing Program A fishing program for veterans operated in partnership with The Fallen Outdoors (TFO). Chapters host annual day-long and weekend-long fishing events where veterans receive housing, food, boating opportunities, and equipment at no cost beyond a fishing license and transportation, providing therapeutic outdoor experiences for service members.
• Northwest Mayflies Women's Fishing Program A women-led fishing program supporting novice female anglers through events that provide fishing knowledge, hands-on training, gear, and time on the water. The program offers scholarships for financially disadvantaged participants and aims to increase female representation in the fishing community.
• Garden for Wildlife Certification Program A wildlife habitat certification program operated in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation that recognizes backyards, school grounds, places of worship, businesses, and community spaces providing food, water, cover, and places for wildlife to raise young using sustainable gardening practices. $25 application fee (waived for schools); $5 per certification is routed to Steelheaders in Oregon.
• Lower Snake River Restoration Campaign An advocacy initiative focused on removing the Lower Granite, Little Goose, Lower Monumental, and Ice Harbor dams on the lower Snake River to restore salmon and steelhead populations and improve recreational fishing opportunities throughout the Columbia River Basin.
• Columbia River Management Reform Initiative A campaign to remove non-treaty commercial gillnets from the lower mainstem Columbia River and secure recreational harvest allocation priority over commercial fishing interests, working to implement the 2013 bi-state Columbia River Salmon Fisheries Management Policy.
• Public River Access Advocacy A long-standing initiative to protect and enhance public access to Oregon's waterways for fishing, boating, and outdoor recreation, including petitioning for navigability studies and defending public rights to use beds and banks of navigable rivers.
• Hatchery Programs (Letz Creek STEP Hatchery) Programs supporting salmon and steelhead hatchery operations, including management of the Letz Creek STEP Hatchery by the Emerald Empire Chapter which raises and releases approximately 15,000 winter steelhead into the Siuslaw River system annually, and advocacy for hatchery funding and modernization.
• Hall of Fame Banquet and Auction An annual banquet recognizing individuals whose dedication, leadership, and passion have worked toward protecting salmon and steelhead, public access to fisheries, and educating the next generation of anglers. The event serves as the organization's primary annual fundraiser with $90-100 per person tickets and table sponsorships available.
• Steelheaders Shop (Merchandise) An online store selling stickers and merchandise featuring Association of Northwest Steelheaders branding, with proceeds supporting the organization's advocacy and education programs.
• Annual Membership Annual membership subscription at $40 per year providing the most popular membership option supporting conservation advocacy and education work. Includes automatic renewal option.
• Sustaining Membership Monthly recurring membership at $10+ per month with automatic credit/debit card charges. Members receive ongoing community support and benefits.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000-30,000 steelhead raised and released annually through hatchery programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Wildlife Federation (NWF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWF is the parent organization for the Oregon affiliate. Northwest Steelheaders became National Wildlife Federation's Oregon affiliate. Partnership includes Fish Eggs to Fry program coordination, Eco-Schools USA certification support, and Garden for Wildlife program collaboration. Morgan Parks serves as Oregon Education Manager at NWF and coordinates with Steelheaders on salmon education initiatives.
• The Fallen Outdoors (TFO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with nonprofit dedicated to organizing outdoor adventures for veterans. Chapters host fishing events for service members in partnership with TFO, with housing, food, boating, and equipment provided through donations and volunteers.
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) for Fish Eggs to Fry classroom program. ODFW provides eggs, technical support, and STEP biologists. Steelheaders assist with aquarium equipment setup, egg delivery, and fry release events.
• Save Our Wild Salmon CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthwest Steelheaders has been a participant in the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition for over 20 years, working collectively to protect and restore wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia-Snake River Basin.
• ArtemisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram partner and sponsor for the Northwest Mayflies women-led fishing program.
• MeyerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram partner and sponsor for the Northwest Mayflies women-led fishing program.
• Fred MeyerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFred Meyer Community Rewards Program allows shoppers to designate Steelheaders as their charitable recipient, with Fred Meyer donating quarterly based on shopping activity.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit focused on land and water conservation with overlap on habitat protection and salmon recovery. Comparable conservation orientation but operates at broader scale with different funding model.
• National Wildlife Federation: Largest US private conservation organization; Northwest Steelheaders is the Oregon affiliate. Directly comparable education programs (Garden for Wildlife) and overlapping conservation mission, but operates nationally with a much broader portfolio.

Regional players

• Cascade Head Fly Fishing Club: Oregon-based grassroots fly fishing club on the northern Oregon coast focused on conservation and access. Comparable regional fishing-conservation model, though smaller and more geographically narrow.
• Oregon Trout: Oregon-based coldwater conservation nonprofit focused on protecting wild trout, salmon, and steelhead. Directly comparable geography and species focus, though historically focused on Deschutes basin watershed work.

Direct peers

• Pacific Rivers Council: PNW-based nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring rivers, watersheds, and native fish including salmon. Comparable regional scope, advocacy orientation, and conservation mission.
• Coastal Conservation Association: National nonprofit focused on marine fisheries conservation and recreational fishing access. Comparable membership/chapter model, advocacy on commercial-vs-recreational allocation, and policy achievements.
• Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition: Coalition of organizations working to protect and restore wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia-Snake River Basin; Northwest Steelheaders is a 20+ year member. Directly comparable advocacy focus on dam removal and river management.
• Wild Salmon Center: PNW-focused nonprofit (Bob Rees serves on its board) dedicated to protecting wild salmon and their habitats. Directly comparable mission, geography, and advocacy focus on strongholds, estuaries, and river restoration.
• Trout Unlimited: National coldwater fisheries conservation nonprofit with similar mission of protecting and restoring trout and salmon populations through habitat work, advocacy, and volunteer chapters. Directly comparable in operating model (membership, chapters, advocacy, conservation programs).

Emerging players

• Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: Fast-growing nonprofit focused on public lands, waters, and wildlife conservation with significant hunting and angler membership. Comparable grassroots advocacy and member-driven mission, though broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NWSteelheaders
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NorthwestSteelheaders
• Facebookfacebook.com/NorthwestSteelheaders
• Instagraminstagram.com/nwsteelheaders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-northwest-steelheaders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Association of Northwest Steelheaders