On Belay Inc.

What On Belay Inc. does

On Belay Inc. is a regional nonprofit organization founded in 2004 that provides free adventure-based programming to youth ages 8-18 who have a loved one affected by cancer. The organization operates across New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and the North Shore of Massachusetts, serving more than 150 families per year through scheduled activities that include sailing, kayaking, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and hiking. Programs are delivered across day, evening, weekend, and overnight formats and run year-round, with recent additions including Little Peaks for ages 8-10, Winter Teen Outdoor Adventure, and Teen Snow Sports.

The organization's operational model is partnership-driven rather than asset-heavy: programming is delivered through a network of more than 15 third-party adventure venues across the three states, including the Appalachian Mountain Club, Rippleffect, Boston Bouldering Project, MetroRock, Ironstone Farm, Lucy's Love Bus, and TreeTop Adventures. Venue partners provide the activity infrastructure and safety oversight, while On Belay curates the participant cohort, provides program staff, and funds participation. Participant acquisition is supported by pediatric oncology and bereavement social worker referrals, complemented by direct family outreach.

Its business model is donation- and grant-funded, with all programming offered free of charge to families. Revenue sources include individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorship. The organization is governed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and earned the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency in 2026. Headcount is approximately 12 employees, with volunteer staffing supplementing program delivery. The underlying technology stack, donor CRM, and program-management tooling are not described in the source material.

Name

On Belay Inc.

Legal name

On Belay Inc.

Website

https://on-belay.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

On Belay Inc. is a nonprofit providing free adventure programs — including climbing, sailing, and skiing — to youth ages 8-18 affected by a loved one's cancer, serving 150+ families annually across New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Support Services

NAICS

Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (7139), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Adventure Camps & Summer Programs (THAAAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Recreation & Adventure Programs (Trips, Climbing, Rentals) (EDALAIAG), Rock Climbing, Via Ferrata & Mountaineering (THAJABAE), Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)

Keywords

• Youth adventure programs
• Nonprofit youth services
• Cancer family support
• Outdoor youth programs
• Community youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Newmarket

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: On Belay relies on individual donors to fund programs. Donations can be made online via credit/debit card or Apple Pay, by check mailed to their PO Box, or cash donations coordinated via email.
2. Monthly Giving Program (Belayers): Monthly recurring donors called 'Belayers' provide sustainable revenue. $10/month sponsors one child at an On Belay program. $25/month provides 3 kids with community at day programs.
3. Corporate Sponsorship (Adventure Allies): Corporate sponsors can become 'Adventure Allies' to support kids and families. Information available via Executive Director contact.
4. Foundation Grants: On Belay receives funding through foundation grants and community giving programs. Flyers available for grant committees.
5. Employer Matching Gifts: Donations can be matched through employer matching gift programs, doubling or tripling individual contributions.
6. Tribute/Memorial Gifts: Gifts can be made in honor or memory of loved ones. Notifications can be sent to honorees or families without disclosing gift amounts.
7. Donor Advised Funds: Grants from Donor Advised Funds can be designated for general operations or specific programs/areas.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

On Belay Inc. provides free year-round adventure-based programs for youth ages 8-18 who have a loved one with cancer. Activities include rock climbing, ropes courses, surfing, backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking, challenge courses, and family day events. Programs are delivered free of charge at partner venues throughout New Hampshire, Southern Maine, and the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Product overview

On Belay Inc. is a non-profit organization offering a single, unified program of free adventure programs for youth ages 8-18 who have a loved one with cancer. The core offering consists of year-round adventure activities including rock climbing, ropes courses, surfing, backpacking, kayaking, paddling, challenge courses, and winter activities. Programs serve youth throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. All programs are offered at no cost to families. The portfolio includes Teen Outdoor Adventure multi-day backpacking trips, Little Peaks overnight climbing for younger children, Family Day programs, and various single-day adventure activities at partner venues across New England.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• On Belay Adventure Programs Core portfolio of free year-round adventure activities including ropes courses, rock climbing, surfing, backpacking, kayaking, and challenge courses for youth ages 8-18 who have a loved one with cancer.
• Teen Outdoor Adventure (TOA) Multi-day backpacking trips in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for teens ages 14-18, including stays at AMC Huts and the Highland Center.
• Little Peaks Overnight Climbing Adventure Indoor overnight climbing adventure for youngest participants ages 8-10 at NH Climbing & Fitness, featuring climbing, games, movie, and sleepover.
• Paddling and Challenge Activities with Rippleffect Coastal Maine adventure program featuring scenic boat rides, island exploration, ocean kayaking, and zipline course for ages 8-18.
• Family Day at Project Adventure Full-day adventure program in Beverly, MA inviting youth and families to participate in group activities and high/low ropes challenge course together.
• Surfing with Cinnamon Rainbows Teen surfing program in North Hampton, NH partnering with Cinnamon Rainbows surf instructors for beginners and experienced surfers ages 13-18.
• Indoor Climbing Programs Various indoor climbing programs at venues including NH Climbing & Fitness (Concord, NH), MetroRock (Newburyport, MA), Boston Bouldering Project (Somerville, MA), and Vertical Dreams (Manchester, NH) for ages 8-18.
• Winter Programs Seasonal winter adventure programs including Winter Teen Outdoor Adventure at Gunstock Mountain Resort, Winter Hiking at Stratham Hill Park, and indoor climbing throughout the winter months.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of participants report seeing an On Belay friend or making a new friend
• +4 more outcomes

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 and minor.

• AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn Belay partners with the AMC for the Teen Outdoor Adventure program. The AMC provides food, clothing, and equipment necessary for each participant. Programs are held at AMC facilities including the Highland Center and AMC Huts in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
• RippleffectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for coastal Maine adventure programs including ziplining, ocean kayaking, scenic boat rides, and island exploration along the coast of Maine.
• Project AdventurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrograms held at Project Adventure's facility in Beverly, MA. Provides high and low ropes challenge courses for On Belay family days and programs.
• Cinnamon RainbowscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurf instruction partnership for teen surfing programs at North Hampton Beach, NH. Provides experienced surf instructors, boards, and wetsuits.
• NH Climbing & FitnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for indoor climbing programs in Concord, NH. Also hosts the Little Peaks overnight climbing adventure and other climbing programs. Largest climbing gym in New Hampshire.
• Boston Bouldering ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndoor climbing and parkour programs in Somerville, MA near Boston. Partnership with Parkour Generations for combined programming.
• Ironstone FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHorseback riding intro programs at Ironstone Farm in Andover, MA. Provides horses and instruction for youth programs.
• Gunstock Mountain ResortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinter Teen Outdoor Adventure programs including cross-country skiing and winter activities at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, NH.
• AlnobaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChallenge course programs at Alnoba's facility in Kensington, NH featuring high and low elements for team building and personal growth.
• Highland Bike ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDownhill mountain biking programs for teens at Highland Bike Park in NH.
• MerrowvistaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily Day Challenge Course programs at Merrowvista in Center Tuftonboro, NH including high/low ropes, hiking, and canoeing.
• University of New Hampshire's Browne CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal host of the first On Belay program on June 5, 2004. Continues to serve as a program venue for adventure activities.
• Lucy's Love BusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the TreeTop Adventure aerial adventure course program for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings in Canton, MA.
• TreeTop AdventuresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerial adventure course venue in Canton, MA with rope bridges, ziplines, and climbing elements at varying difficulty levels.
• Seven RiversminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSea kayaking adventures in coastal New Hampshire.
• Thrive OutdoorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChallenge course programs at the Barbara C. Harris Center in Greenfield, NH.
• MetroRockminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndoor climbing programs at MetroRock in Newburyport, MA.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Camp Quality USA: Camp Quality provides free summer camps and year-round programs for children with cancer and their families across multiple U.S. states. Comparable to On Belay in offering free adventure and recreational programming to youth affected by cancer, though Camp Quality primarily serves children with the diagnosis rather than family members.
• Project Adventure: Project Adventure runs experiential adventure-based programs, including ropes and challenge courses for youth development, and is a core venue partner for On Belay's Beverly, MA family days. Comparable as both a partner and a peer in the adventure-based youth programming space, though Project Adventure is broader and for-profit adjacent.
• First Descents: First Descents provides free adventure-based programming (surfing, climbing, paddling) for young adults impacted by cancer and other serious health conditions. Closely comparable to On Belay in mission, activity mix, and free adventure delivery model, although First Descents serves young adults primarily rather than ages 8-18.
• Wonders & Worries: Wonders & Worries provides free, professional support to children and teens ages 5-18 when a parent is facing a serious illness, including cancer. Highly comparable to On Belay in mission and beneficiary definition (children of parents with cancer), though Wonders & Worries uses a clinical/counseling model rather than adventure programming.

Broad incumbents

• Camp Sunshine: Camp Sunshine in Maine provides free retreat programs year-round for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Comparable to On Belay as a New England-based nonprofit offering free recreational and adventure programming to families impacted by serious illness, but with a broader illness scope.
• Camp Kesem: Camp Kesem operates free summer camps and year-round programs for children affected by a parent's cancer, serving families nationwide through college-campus chapters. Comparable to On Belay because both target the same beneficiary population (youth affected by a loved one's cancer) but uses campus-based sleepaway camp delivery rather than regional adventure outings.
• The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Founded by Paul Newman, the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp serves children with serious medical conditions through free summer camp programs in Connecticut. Comparable to On Belay in offering free outdoor/adventure programs to medically-impacted youth, though focused on the affected child rather than the child of an affected family member.
• SeriousFun Children's Network: SeriousFun is a global network of 30+ member camps founded/partnered with the Paul Newman legacy, providing free recreational and adventure experiences to children with serious illnesses and their families. Comparable to On Belay as a free adventure-camp provider serving medically-impacted youth, though operating on a much larger and more institutional scale.

Emerging players

• Jack's Place at Camp Boggy Creek: Camp Boggy Creek provides free year-round programs and adventure experiences for children with serious medical conditions and their families, including those impacted by cancer. Comparable as a free adventure-camp nonprofit for medically-impacted youth, though Florida-based and broader in illness scope.

Others

• Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC): The AMC is a core Outfitter partner for On Belay's Teen Outdoor Adventure program, providing White Mountains huts, food, and equipment. Comparable as both an infrastructure partner and an adjacent outdoor-education nonprofit serving New England youth and families.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/on-belay-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 On Belay Inc.