Vail Veterans Program
Vail Veterans Program is a 501c3 non-profit founded in 2004 in Vail, Colorado, providing free therapeutic outdoor recreation, caregiver, family, and resilience programs to severely wounded U.S. military veterans and their families via referrals from major military medical centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersVail, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Vail Veterans Program does
Vail Veterans Program (legal entity Vail Veterans Foundation Inc.) is a 501c3 non-profit founded in 2004 by Cheryl Jensen that delivers therapeutic outdoor recreation programs to severely wounded U.S. military veterans and their families free of charge. Its core offerings include Winter Therapeutic Outdoor Programs with PSIA-AASI certified adaptive ski and snowboard instruction on Vail and Beaver Creek slopes, Summer Therapeutic Outdoor Programs featuring rock climbing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, fly-fishing, and zip-lining, dedicated Military Caregiver Programs, Family Support Programs, and the Veterans Path to Success resilience curriculum originally developed with Johnson & Johnson's Human Performance Institute. Additional offerings include Virtual Programs, the Summit of Strength Women's Warrior Retreat, Golf in the Rockies, Black Mountain Ranch family programs, the Our Mission Continues Grant Award Program, and Army 10-Miler sponsorship.
The organization is headquartered at 12 Vail Road, Suite 600, Vail, Colorado, with a small professional staff of 5-7 employees supplemented by board members, ambassadors, and volunteers. Participants are recruited via formal referral pipelines from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, and Naval Medical Center San Diego, and through word-of-mouth from an active alumni network. The business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven: programs are funded by individual donations at tiered levels ($50-$10,000), Platinum/Gold/Silver corporate sponsors (Vail Resorts' Epic Promise, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Safeway Foundation, Military Warriors Support Foundation, Black Mountain Ranch, Alpine Bank, Vail Valley Foundation, Growth Energy, Discover Vail, and others), program sponsorships ($500-$10,000), and alternative giving vehicles (stock gifts, DAFs, employer matches, wire transfers). The organization has served more than 5,000 wounded service members and family members, is led day-to-day by Executive Director Jen Brown (joined January 2022), and reports self-reported outcome metrics of 93% improved outlook, 91% better coping, 74% reduced stress, and 100% personal goal achievement.
Vail Veterans Program firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vail Veterans Program
- Legal name
- Vail Veterans Foundation Inc.
- Website
- https://vailveteransprogram.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Vail Veterans Program is a 501c3 non-profit founded in 2004 in Vail, Colorado, providing free therapeutic outdoor recreation, caregiver, family, and resilience programs to severely wounded U.S. military veterans and their families via referrals from major military medical centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vail Veterans Program industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veteran Therapeutic Recreation & Adaptive Sports Services
- NAICS
- Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Endurance Sports Coaching & Training Camps (Running, Cycling, Triathlon, Swimming) (MPAKAJAH), Recreation Therapy, Stress Management & Mindfulness Programs (EDALAFAO), Outdoor Fitness & Park Bootcamps (HSADABAC)
Keywords
Where Vail Veterans Program is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vail
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Vail Veterans Program business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible contributions from individuals supporting veteran programs. Online donation portal with options for one-time or recurring donations at various levels ($50, $250, $500, $2,500, $5,000, $10,000). Monthly giving options available.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Platinum, Gold, and Silver level corporate sponsors including Vail Resorts (Epic Promise), US Department of Veterans Affairs, Safeway Foundation, Military Warriors Support Foundation, Black Mountain Ranch, Alpine Bank, and others.
- Program Sponsorships: Tiered sponsorship packages allowing donors to sponsor specific program elements: $10,000 for military family (airfare, lodging, instruction, equipment), $5,000 for military couple, $2,500 for wounded veteran, $1,000 for outdoor activity support, $500 for meals.
- Alternative Giving Methods: Wire transfers, stock gifts, donor advised fund (DAF) gifts, tribute gifts (in honor or memory), and employer-matched gifts accepted.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free programs for wounded veterans and families |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Vail Veterans Program product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vail Veterans Program is a 501c3 non-profit that delivers free therapeutic outdoor recreation programs to severely wounded U.S. military veterans and their families. Its core offerings include adaptive ski and snowboard instruction in winter and adaptive summer activities (rock climbing, rafting, horseback riding, zip-lining, fly-fishing) in Vail, Colorado, complemented by resilience training, military caregiver retreats, family support programs, and virtual wellness programming. All services — including lodging, meals, instruction, and adaptive equipment — are provided at no cost to participants and are funded by corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and individual donations.
Product overview
Vail Veterans Program is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of therapeutic outdoor recreation programs for wounded veterans and their families. The core offerings include Winter Therapeutic Outdoor Programs (adaptive skiing/snowboarding), Summer Therapeutic Outdoor Programs (rock climbing, rafting, horseback riding, zip-lining, fly-fishing), Military Caregiver Programs (wellness retreats), Family Support Programs (alumni engagement and Black Mountain Ranch partnerships), and Veterans Path to Success & Resilience Training Programs (performance psychology training). Additional offerings include Virtual Programs for remote engagement, Golf in the Rockies events, the Summit of Strength Women's Warrior Retreat, and the Our Mission Continues Grant Award Program. All programs are provided free of charge to injured military personnel and their families, with programs delivered at Vail and Beaver Creek resorts in Colorado and partner locations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Winter Therapeutic Outdoor Programs Four-day winter adaptive ski and snowboard instruction programs for wounded warriors and their families at Vail and Beaver Creek, including private lessons with PSIA-AASI certified instructors, group family lessons, childcare, and evening social activities, provided free of charge.
- Summer Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
- Military Caregiver Programs Caregiver-focused wellness retreats offering yoga, meditation, empowerment training, outdoor adventures, and group meals in a supportive environment for caregivers of wounded veterans.
- Family Support Programs Alumni engagement programs providing opportunities for families to return to Vail or travel to partner locations to continue healing journeys, including western-themed retreats at Black Mountain Dude Ranch.
- Veterans Path to Success & Resilience Training Programs Performance psychology, exercise physiology, and nutrition training teaching participants to expand physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy for sustained engagement and resiliency.
- Virtual Programs Periodic virtual programming for alumni veterans and families featuring nutrition, mental health, financial services, fitness instruction, and meditation workshops delivered remotely.
- Our Mission Continues Grant Award Program Grant program supporting alumni veterans and their families with emergency financial assistance, mental health support, health and wellness resources, caregiver support, educational opportunities, and family experiences.
- Golf in the Rockies Five-day adaptive golf experience for wounded veterans featuring championship course play, PGA teaching professional clinics, group meals, and evening activities.
- Summit of Strength: Women's Warrior Retreat Women-only winter retreat for female wounded veterans featuring on-snow activities, resilience workshops, spa treatment, and snowmobile tour focused on bonding, healing, and personal growth.
- Black Mountain Ranch Family Program Partnership with Black Mountain Dude Ranch hosting alumni families up to three times annually for western-themed activities including horseback riding, hiking, and ranch recreation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 93% of participants have a better outlook on life
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Vail Veterans Program
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Vail Veterans Program technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Vail Veterans Program partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Brothers for LifecoreIsraeli program partnership hosting wounded IDF soldiers at Vail Veterans Program for adaptive skiing and healing experiences.
- Vail Resorts (Epic Promise)flagshipPlatinum level sponsor providing major support for veteran programs. Epic Promise is Vail Resorts' employee and community giving program supporting the Vail Veterans Program.
- US Department of Veterans AffairsflagshipPlatinum level sponsor providing government partnership and support for veteran programs.
- Safeway FoundationcorePlatinum level sponsor supporting military families through the foundation's charitable giving program.
- Military Warriors Support FoundationcorePlatinum sponsor and co-host of Heroes Golf Tournament; focuses on housing, recreation, transportation assistance and leadership development for veterans.
- Black Mountain RanchcoreGold sponsor and partner hosting Family Support Programs at Black Mountain Dude Ranch in McCoy, Colorado up to three times per year.
- Alpine BankcoreGold sponsor providing banking services and community support for Vail Veterans Program.
- Vail Valley FoundationcoreGold sponsor supporting the Vail Valley community and veteran programs.
- Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterflagshipPrimary referral source for wounded warriors invited to participate in Vail Veterans Programs.
- Brooke Army Medical CenterflagshipPrimary referral source for wounded warriors invited to participate in Vail Veterans Programs.
- Naval Medical Center San DiegoflagshipPrimary referral source for wounded warriors invited to participate in Vail Veterans Programs.
- Growth EnergycoreGold sponsor supporting veteran programs.
- Discover VailcoreGold sponsor and destination marketing organization supporting veteran tourism to Vail.
- Johnson & Johnson Human Performance InstitutecoreOriginal partner in developing the Veterans Path to Success program curriculum focusing on resilience training.
- Country Club of the RockiescoreSilver sponsor hosting Heroes Golf Tournament in partnership with Military Warriors Support Foundation.
- Red Sky Golf ClubcoreSilver sponsor and host venue for Golf in the Rockies program.
- 10th Mountain Whiskey Spirit CompanyminorSilver sponsor producing commemorative whiskey supporting the organization.
- Grand Hyatt VailcoreSilver sponsor and lodging partner for program participants.
- The Hythe VailminorSilver sponsor and lodging partner for program participants.
- Beaver Creek Golf ClubcoreSilver sponsor and venue for Golf in the Rockies program.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vail Veterans Program competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Ability Center: Park City, UT nonprofit delivering adaptive outdoor sports, recreation, and equine programs for individuals with disabilities, including veterans. Comparable in program mix (ski, raft, horseback) and participant profile.
- Higher Ground Sun Valley: Sun Valley, ID nonprofit providing therapeutic recreational programs for wounded warriors and their families using adaptive skiing, rafting, and other outdoor activities. Closely comparable mission, geography type (mountain resort), and free participant model.
- Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based nonprofit providing adaptive outdoor recreation and ski programs for people with disabilities, including wounded veterans. Closest direct peer given overlapping geography, adaptive skiing focus, and free-to-participant model.
- Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA): National nonprofit umbrella for adaptive sports organizations, including military and veteran programming. Overlaps in mission and beneficiary base, with a national federation model rather than single-site delivery.
Broad incumbents
- Semper Fi Fund: National nonprofit providing financial assistance and program support for wounded, ill, and injured service members and families. Comparable donor base and beneficiary population; broader service scope than VVP.
- Wounded Warrior Project: Large national nonprofit serving wounded veterans through a much broader portfolio of programs (mental health, career, long-term support). Competes for the same donor pool and veteran audience but at far greater scale and program breadth.
- VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs adaptive sports program serving disabled veterans across recreation and competitive sports. Provides a federally funded alternative/adjacent channel to VVP and overlaps significantly as both funder and reference point.
Emerging players
- Outdoor Experience for Veterans: Smaller nonprofit offering outdoor recreation retreats specifically for combat-wounded veterans. Narrower program set than VVP but directly comparable therapeutic-outdoor niche.
- The Heroes Project: Nonprofit enabling wounded veterans to climb mountains and pursue challenges as rehabilitation. Overlaps in adaptive outdoor mission and wounded-veteran audience, with a more niche mountaineering focus.
Others
- Team Rubicon: Veteran-led nonprofit organizing disaster response and community service for veterans. Competes for similar donor mindshare and veteran-identity narrative even though programming is not recreation-focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vail Veterans Program social profiles
Digital presenceVail Veterans Program compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Vail Veterans Program financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vail Veterans Program leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Vail Veterans Program funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vail Veterans Program M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vail Veterans Program
What does Vail Veterans Program do?
Vail Veterans Program is a 501c3 non-profit that delivers free therapeutic outdoor recreation programs to severely wounded U.S. military veterans and their families. Its core offerings include adaptive ski and snowboard instruction in winter and adaptive summer activities (rock climbing, rafting, horseback riding, zip-lining, fly-fishing) in Vail, Colorado, complemented by resilience training, military caregiver retreats, family support programs, and virtual wellness programming. All services — including lodging, meals, instruction, and adaptive equipment — are provided at no cost to participants and are funded by corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and individual donations.
Is Vail Veterans Program a public or private company?
Vail Veterans Program is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Vail Veterans Program founded?
Vail Veterans Program was founded in 2004. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Vail Veterans Program based?
Vail Veterans Program is headquartered in Vail, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vail Veterans Program make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, program Sponsorships and alternative Giving Methods.
Who are Vail Veterans Program's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Ability Center, Higher Ground Sun Valley, Challenge Aspen and Move United (formerly Disabled Sports USA). Broad incumbents are Semper Fi Fund, Wounded Warrior Project and VA National Veterans Sports Programs & Special Events. Emerging players are Outdoor Experience for Veterans and The Heroes Project. Team Rubicon is listed as an others.
Does Vail Veterans Program have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vail Veterans Program.
What industry is Vail Veterans Program in?
Vail Veterans Program's product category is Veteran Therapeutic Recreation & Adaptive Sports Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAOAG, Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs, with a secondary code of MPAKAJAH, Endurance Sports Coaching & Training Camps (Running, Cycling, Triathlon, Swimming). Its NAICS code is 713940 and its SIC code is 7990.