Southeastern Climbers Coalition

What Southeastern Climbers Coalition does

Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1993 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, that preserves and expands climbing access across Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. The organization owns and manages nine climbing areas — including Denny Cove (685 acres), Woodcock Cove (64 acres), Citadel Boulders (58 acres), Hell's Kitchen, and Dogwood Access — and works with more than 30 public and private landowners to negotiate access agreements and stewardship arrangements. Its operational scope includes trail construction and maintenance, fixed hardware replacement, conservation acquisitions, youth outreach through the Rising Climbing Stewards program, and educational efforts on climbing etiquette and environmental stewardship.

SCC's product and program portfolio centers on a tiered annual membership program ($40 Standard through $2,500 Onsight, with monthly billing options), the Conservation Legacy Program for land acquisition funding ($500-$1,500+ tiers with climbing gear perks), branded merchandise sold through an online store, and annual fundraising and stewardship events including BYOB (Buy Your Own Boulderfield), Trail Daze of Summer, Siege The Citadel, and Float The Boat. The organization operates no proprietary technology platform beyond a WordPress website, Kindful donation integration, and Eventbrite event management; its work is labor-intensive, relying on 600+ annual volunteers for trail days and stewardship projects.

The revenue model combines individual membership dues, tiered Conservation Legacy Program donations, general contributions, foundation grants (from Access Fund, Riverview Foundation, Lyndhurst Foundation, Open Space Institute, Georgia Alabama Land Trust, and others), corporate sponsorship (Black Diamond, Rab, Petzl, Scarpa, Ground Up Sales), event fundraising, and merchandise sales. Major acquisitions are typically financed through the Access Fund's Climbing Conservation Loan Program and ultimately transferred to public land management for permanent protection. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, with membership acquisition and donor cultivation concentrated in trail days, local events, and grassroots volunteer engagement.

Name

Southeastern Climbers Coalition

Legal name

Southeastern Climbers Coalition, Inc.

Website

https://seclimbers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southeastern Climbers Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1993 that preserves and expands climbing access across Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia through land acquisition, stewardship, and community organizing, serving 1,500+ member climbers and 600+ annual volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climbing Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Climbing & Mountaineering Gyms/Guides (Indoor, Outdoor, Via Ferrata) (THAAAKAG)

Keywords

• Climbing access preservation
• Conservation land trust
• Trail stewardship services
• Outdoor recreation advocacy
• Climbing area management

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees ranging from $40 to $2,500 per year, providing recurring revenue with tiered benefits including merchandise and event access.
2. Conservation Legacy Program Donations: Annual donations at three levels ($500, $1,000, $1,500+) specifically earmarked for conservation acquisitions, with recognition in annual reports and on website.
3. General Donations: One-time and recurring donations from individuals supporting climbing access preservation.
4. Merchandise Sales: SCC operates an online swag shop selling merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, and specialty items.
5. Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including BYOB (Buy Your Own Boulderfield) which has historically raised over $30,000, and other community events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Southeastern Climbers Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit climbing land trust that preserves and expands climbing access in the Southeast (Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia) through direct ownership and management of climbing properties, access agreements with landowners, trail maintenance, fixed hardware replacement, and community stewardship programs. The organization funds these efforts through tiered memberships, the Conservation Legacy donation program, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) is a non-profit climbing conservation organization serving as a coalition for climbers in the Southeast. The organization operates primarily as a membership-based nonprofit rather than a unified technology product. Its portfolio includes membership programs with escalating tiers ($40-$2,500/year) providing exclusive merchandise and event access; owned and managed climbing areas including Denny Cove, Woodcock Cove, Citadel Boulders, Hell's Kitchen, and others; stewardship programs such as Trail Daze of Summer, Fixed Hardware Replacement, and Rising Climbing Stewards youth outreach; fundraising events including BYOB (Buy Your Own Boulderfield) and Float The Boat; and the Conservation Legacy Program for land acquisition funding. The organization's offerings center on preserving climbing access through land ownership, volunteer stewardship, and community engagement rather than software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SCC Membership Annual membership program with multiple tiers ($40 to $2,500 per year) that funds climbing access preservation in the Southeast. Members receive escalating benefits such as SCC apparel, Black Diamond gear, free entries to SCC events, insider beta emails, and donor recognition. Available as annual or monthly subscription.
• Conservation Legacy Program Annual donation program specifically earmarked for conservation acquisitions and stewardship. Donors at three tiers (Route Warrior $500, Crag Saver $1,000, Climbing Protector $1,500+) receive recognition in annual reports and on the website along with branded climbing gear gifts from partners such as Rab, Petzl, and Scarpa.
• Rising Climbing Stewards Youth outreach program connecting young climbers with stewardship and preservation of outdoor climbing areas through presentations, hands-on activities, and trail days. Designed for school clubs, youth climbing teams, and affinity groups across the Southeast.
• SCC Swag Shop Online merchandise store offering SCC branded apparel, stickers, and climbing-related items for supporters and members. Fulfills membership perk requirements and serves as a community touchpoint for the organization's brand.
• Fixed Hardware Replacement Program Volunteer-led initiative to replace aging bolts and anchors across climbing areas in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Includes the SCC Anchor Maintenance Fund providing free bolts and anchors to SCC members and the Fixed Hardware Committee responding to bad bolt reports and hosting volunteer clinics.

Quantifiable outcome

• SCC has helped preserve 685 acres at Denny Cove with 150+ climbing routes, 64 acres at Woodcock Cove with ~60 routes, and 58 acres at Citadel Boulders with 150+ problems.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Access FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2024Access Fund is SCC's primary national partner for land acquisitions and climbing conservation. Together they have completed multiple acquisitions including Denny Cove (685 acres), Hell's Kitchen and Dogwood West, Woodcock Cove (64 acres), and Citadel Boulders (58 acres). Access Fund provides funding through its Climbing Conservation Loan Program (CCLP) and technical expertise for acquisitions. SCC holds properties with intention of transferring to public land management while maintaining climbing-friendly stewardship.
• Ground Up SalesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022Corporate sponsor providing welcome gifts for Conservation Legacy Program donors at various giving levels.
• Amanda and Mike MurphymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2021Local landowners who entered land swap agreement with SCC, exchanging 27 acres of blufftop land for additional half mile of cliffline and 30 established routes at Woodcock Cove.
• North Chickamauga Creek ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2020Spearheaded Walden Ridge Nature Park project (200 acres). Donated property to create public park for climbers, bikers, hikers, and community. SCC partnered to identify high priority boulders and establish access.
• Land Trust for TennesseemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2020Collaborative partner in Walden Ridge Nature Park project alongside NCCC, SORBA Chattanooga, IMBA, and Hamilton County Parks working to create public access for all.
• SORBA ChattanoogamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2020Mountain biking advocacy group partnered on Walden Ridge Nature Park for multi-recreational public access development.
• Hamilton County ParksmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 February 2020County parks department collaborating on Walden Ridge Nature Park project for public recreation access.
• The Land Trust for TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2016LTTN partnered with SCC and Access Fund on the Denny Cove acquisition, providing critical land conservation expertise and funding support. The organization works to stitch together important conserved land in the South Cumberland region.
• The Conservation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2016Partnered on Denny Cove acquisition providing land conservation expertise and loan funding. Has assisted in protecting more than 6,200 acres in the Fiery Gizzard area.
• South Cumberland State ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2016Long-term land management partner for Denny Cove. SCC temporarily holds the property with plans to transfer it to the State of Tennessee for permanent ownership and management.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Mountaineers: Pacific Northwest outdoor recreation and conservation nonprofit with climbing, hiking, and stewardship programming. Membership-based model similar to SCC but serves broader outdoor activities rather than climbing-focused mission.
• American Alpine Club: National membership organization for climbers in the U.S. Operates broader portfolio including climbing facilities, publications, and advocacy — overlaps with SCC's membership and conservation missions but at significantly larger national scale.

Direct peers

• Access Fund: National climbing access organization that is SCC's primary partner for major land acquisitions. Both organizations share the mission of preserving climbing areas, mobilizing volunteers, and stewarding conservation easements — Access Fund operates nationally while SCC operates regionally with closely aligned tactics.
• New River Alliance of Climbers (NRAC): Regional climbing coalition serving the New River Gorge area of West Virginia. Same membership-and-stewardship model as SCC, focused on access preservation at a specific regional climbing destination.
• Friends of Smith Rock: Regional nonprofit supporting Smith Rock State Park in Oregon with climbing-specific stewardship, fundraising, and volunteer trail programs. Closely comparable structure to SCC for climbing-area stewardship.
• Carolina Climbers Coalition: Regional climbing coalition serving the Carolinas with very similar structure to SCC: 501(c)(3) nonprofit, membership tiers, owned climbing areas, and Access Fund partnerships. Direct comparable for regional climbing land trust model.
• Boulder Climbing Community: Colorado-based climbing coalition focused on Flatirons access. Reimbursement fund and volunteer stewardship programs parallel SCC's fixed hardware and trail day programs.
• Land Trust for Tennessee: Statewide land trust that has partnered with SCC on multiple acquisitions including Denny Cove. Operates same conservation-easement and acquisition model but covers broader conservation priorities, not just climbing.

Regional players

• Texas Mountaineers: Climbing-focused nonprofit serving Texas climbers with access advocacy and stewardship. Similar climbing-community-organizing model but operates in different geography than SCC.

Emerging players

• Leave No Trace: National outdoor ethics education nonprofit whose mission aligns with SCC's climber etiquette and stewardship work. Adjacent peer providing educational framework SCC uses in Rising Climbing Stewards and trail day programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/seclimbers
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southeastern-climbers-coalition-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Southeastern Climbers Coalition