Overland Expo Foundation

What Overland Expo Foundation does

Overland Expo Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a six-person team. It was co-founded by Jessica Kirchner, founder of Lodestone Events (producer of the Overland Expo event series), to expand the charitable footprint of Overland Expo by funding and advancing the overland community through grants, education, and stewardship programs tied to responsible vehicle-based travel and public lands protection.

The foundation's core products are its grant and scholarship programs — including the Overland Expo Foundation Grant, Change Your World Travel Grant (up to $5,000), Leave the Trail Better Mini-Grant ($50–$500), and the Overland Experience Scholarship — alongside the annual Ultimate Overland Vehicle and Motorcycle Builds auctioned on Bring a Trailer, the Overland Responsibly education campaign (seven principles), and the Overland Glovebox Guide mobile app (free version launched March 2026). Grant recipients include conservation organizations (National Forest Foundation, Tread Lightly!, Natural Restorations), veteran-focused overland nonprofits (Two Wolf Foundation, Team Overland, Fox Bravo Overland), youth outdoor programs, and international aid efforts such as Vox United's clean-water motorcycle missions in Mozambique.

Revenue is generated through individual and industry memberships ($50 and $500 per year, respectively), event-based raffles at the five annual Overland Expo events, direct donations via PayPal and Venmo, and 100% of Bring a Trailer auction proceeds from Ultimate Builds. The organization serves individual overland enthusiasts, non-profit grant recipients, overland-industry businesses, and families, with co-branded partners including Nissan, GMC, Suzuki, Ural, Ford/Bronco Wild Fund, AEV, Expedition Portal, and Overland Journal.

Name

Overland Expo Foundation

Legal name

Overland Expo Foundation

Website

https://overlandexpofoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Overland Expo Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2020 that funds and advances the overland travel community through grants, education, and stewardship programs tied to Overland Expo events and Bring a Trailer auction proceeds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Grant Foundation

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Auto, Boat & RV Shows (MPAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Conservation grant funding
• Overland travel education
• Public lands stewardship
• Responsible recreation programs
• Adventure community building

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Individual donations and annual membership fees provide core operating revenue. Individual memberships are $50/year; industry memberships are $500/year.
2. Event Raffles: Raffles held at each Overland Expo event with prizes donated by exhibitors and industry partners. All proceeds support foundation grant programs.
3. Ultimate Build Auctions: Annual auction of custom-built overland vehicles and motorcycles on BringaTrailer.com. 100% of proceeds go to foundation grant programs.
4. Grants: Foundation provides grants to individuals and organizations for overland-related charitable projects supporting public lands protection, education, and responsible exploration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Overland Expo Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides grant funding, educational programs, and stewardship initiatives to support the overland travel community. It disburses grants to non-profits and individuals for conservation, public lands protection, and responsible recreation projects; awards travel scholarships and event tickets; and operates membership programs plus annual Ultimate Build vehicle and motorcycle fundraising auctions linked to Overland Expo events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Overland Expo Foundation Grant Grant funding for non-profit organizations and individuals executing projects that align with the foundation's mission of protecting public lands, advancing overland education, and supporting responsible recreation.
• Change Your World Travel Grant Grant of up to $5,000 for international overland journeys with a stewardship component, supporting ambitious travelers who give back during their expeditions.
• Leave the Trail Better Mini-Grant Mini-grants ranging from $50 to $500 for trail cleanup, graffiti removal, trail restoration, and erosion control projects, with amounts scaled to group size.
• Overland Experience Scholarship Scholarship awarding a complimentary premium education ticket to a chosen Overland Expo event for selected participants who could not otherwise attend.
• Individual Membership Annual individual membership at $50/year providing a custom decal and patch and access to the online community for overland enthusiasts.
• Industry Membership Annual industry membership at $500/year for overland-serving businesses, including custom decal and patch, logo placement on website, and highlighted social posts.
• Ultimate Overland Vehicle Build Annual custom overland vehicle build showcasing partner-installed parts and accessories, auctioned on BringaTrailer.com with 100% of proceeds funding foundation grants.
• Ultimate Overland Motorcycle Build Annual custom overland motorcycle build outfitted with partner gear, auctioned on BringaTrailer.com with all proceeds supporting foundation grant programs.
• Overland Glovebox Guide (Free Version) Free mobile application providing offline pre-drive inspection guides, dispersed camping references, responsible overlanding principles, packing checklists, and customizable vehicle and trip logs for overland travelers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $20,000 raised at single event raffle for conservation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tread Lightly!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTread Lightly! is a key partner in stewardship projects and youth education. The foundation supports their kiosk installations and cleanup projects at Overland Expo events. They co-host the Kids RC Driving Course and scavenger hunts.
• Natural RestorationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization focused on cleaning up and restoring public lands. Listed as an organization the foundation supports through grants and collaboration.
• Motorcycle Relief ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit providing motorcycles and support for those in need. Supported through foundation grant programs.
• Team OverlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit hosting free guided overland adventures for Veteran families. Received multiple grants from foundation for expeditions and Memorial Day projects.
• Two Wolf FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran-focused organization running Warrior Stewardship Teams for land conservation. Multiple grants support their trail improvement and cleanup projects.
• Fox Bravo OverlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOff-road/overland team of U.S. military and law enforcement veterans. Received grant for Operation Southwestern Spirit bringing 26 veterans on overland adventure.
• National Forest FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived $16,000 grant for sanitation and accessibility improvements across Medicine Bow Routt National Forest.
• Rally for RangerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects motorcycle enthusiasts with park rangers for conservation. Received $10,000 grant for tribal parks and Black Hills trail projects.
• VOX UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational aid organization. Grant funded motorcycle mechanic who restored wells providing clean water to 4,543 people in Mozambique.
• Bronco Wild FundcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFord's conservation initiative. Sponsors community cleanups at Overland Expo Flagstaff and East events.
• Desert Ford DealersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Ford dealers sponsoring community cleanup events at Overland Expo.
• Friends of Ironwood ForestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit protecting the Ironwood Forest National Monument. Listed as supported organization.
• Mind Over LandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOverland education organization. Listed as supported organization.
• Project Heal the LandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation non-profit. Listed as supported organization.
• Wilderness VolunteersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organizing volunteer stewardship trips on public lands. Listed as supported organization.
• TEAM WildlanderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOverland adventure organization. Listed as supported organization.
• NissancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVehicle donor for 2026 Ultimate Overland Vehicle Build (Frontier PRO-4X). Provides the base vehicle for the annual build program.
• AllDogs Offroad COOPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild partner for 2026 Ultimate Overland Vehicle Build. Installing parts and accessories on the Nissan Frontier PRO-4X.
• Tune OutdoorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides M1L lightweight camper for 2026 Ultimate Build. Ultra-lightweight, hard-side pop-up truck camper partner.
• Overland Explorer VehiclescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces Pando 2.0 trailer used in 2025 Ultimate Build. Wood-free construction for lifetime durability.
• Peak SuspensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuild partner for 2023/2024 Ultimate Overland Vehicle Build (GMC Canyon AT4X). Provided suspension expertise and components.
• AEV (American Expedition Vehicles)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry member and gear partner providing bumpers, skid plates, and snorkels for Ultimate Builds. Logo displayed on membership page.
• Expedition PortalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry member and major media outlet in overland space. Logo displayed on membership page.
• Overland JournalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry member and major publication in overland space. Logo displayed on membership page.
• JKS ManufacturingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOverland industry manufacturer. Industry member with logo displayed on membership page.
• Lodestone EventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducer of Overland Expo event series. Foundation was co-founded in 2020 by Lodestone Events founder Jessica Kirchner.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: Conservation nonprofit focused on public lands access and ethical recreation, with a member-driven fundraising model similar to the foundation's individual and industry membership tiers.
• National Forest Foundation: Major public lands conservation nonprofit and a direct grantee of the Overland Expo Foundation ($16,000 award for Medicine Bow-Routt trail work). Operates the largest public lands grant program relevant to the foundation's mission.
• American Hiking Society: National nonprofit advocating for trails and public lands through advocacy, volunteer stewardship, and youth programs. Closely aligned with the foundation's trail cleanup, mini-grant, and public-lands-access mission.
• Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: Premier outdoor ethics education nonprofit, highly comparable to the foundation's public-lands education and Leave the Trail Better mini-grant programs. Operates at larger national scale with similar mission framing.
• Adventure Cycling Association: Nonprofit supporting long-distance adventure travel, advocacy, and route stewardship. Shares the foundation's adventure-travel-with-stewardship ethos and donor persona.
• The Conservation Alliance: Outdoor industry-funded conservation nonprofit that mobilizes brands to protect public lands. Highly comparable mission and corporate partnership model to the foundation's industry membership and grant programs.
• Tread Lightly!: National nonprofit focused on responsible outdoor recreation ethics and education, directly aligned with the Overland Expo Foundation's stewardship and 'Overland Responsibly' mission. They are also a current grantee and co-host of the foundation's youth education programs.

Regional players

• American Prairie Foundation: Conservation nonprofit with strong corporate sponsor and donor programs, comparable in scale and operational model. Less directly aligned on overland/outdoor recreation, but similar nonprofit structure and grant-making operations.

Others

• Overland Expo (Lodestone Events): For-profit producer of the Overland Expo event series that the foundation was built around. Not a peer in a competitive sense but the parent event ecosystem that drives nearly all foundation activity and brand exposure.

Emerging players

• Outdoor Alliance: Coalition of outdoor recreation nonprofits focused on public lands policy and stewardship. Comparable grant-making and advocacy orientation, though more policy-heavy than the foundation's event-driven model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/OverlandExpoFoundation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCUNQ_E5bdGJ17HvQOipe1aA
• Facebookfacebook.com/OverlandExpoFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/overland-expo-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/overlandexpofoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Overland Expo Foundation