Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports

What Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports does

Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports (SUDS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2007 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and relocated to San Antonio, Texas in 2020. It delivers adaptive adventure-sports programming at no cost to participants, serving wounded, injured, and ill veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as post-9/11 Police, Firefighters, and EMTs with permanent physical disabilities. The organization began as a single scuba diving offering and has since expanded into a multi-sport portfolio that includes canyoneering, snow skiing, rock climbing, fly fishing, mountain biking, backpacking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and yoga, with expedition destinations spanning Utah, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and other locations. SUDS covers all participant expenses — airfare, lodging, meals, diving and training costs — through charitable donations.

The organization's core operational model is volunteer-driven and community-led, with no paid staff disclosed, pro bono legal counsel from a retired Navy JAG officer, and a Board of Directors dominated by former and current military personnel. SUDS holds a registered trademark on its name, is a member of MOVE UNITED (a network of over 225 adaptive sports organizations), and participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #94754) for federal-employee donations. Its 2024 Financial Audit shows 95.5 cents of every dollar directed to the Servicemember program, and it holds a 2026 Platinum Seal with Candid.org for nonprofit transparency.

SUDS generates no commercial revenue. Its entire funding base consists of charitable donations supplemented by CFC payroll-deduction contributions and in-kind volunteer labor. Programs are delivered through an application-based admission process, with marketing conducted via its website (sudsusa.org), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and word-of-mouth referrals through military hospitals and the MOVE UNITED network. There are no funding rounds, acquisitions, subsidiaries, or institutional investors disclosed; the entity is independently governed and wholly donor-funded.

Name

Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports

Legal name

Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports

Website

https://sudsusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SUDS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides free adaptive adventure sports — including scuba, skiing, rock climbing, and canyoneering — to wounded Iraq/Afghanistan veterans and post-9/11 first responders with permanent physical disabilities, funded entirely by charitable donations and run by volunteers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Sports and Veteran Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability & Adaptive Sports Organizations (Paralympic, Special Olympics) (MPAKACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

Keywords

• Adaptive sports programs
• Veteran rehabilitation services
• Disabled sports nonprofit
• Adaptive adventure sports
• Wounded warrior programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Antonio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: SUDS operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit that exists solely through charitable donations. The organization receives no cost to participants - all airfare, lodging, meals, diving, and training expenses are covered by donations. Also receives pro bono legal counsel and volunteer board members.
2. Combined Federal Campaign (CFC): SUDS participates in the CFC program in the National Capital area. CFC # 94754. The CFC allows federal government employees to contribute to the organization through payroll deductions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SUDS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides adaptive adventure sports programs at no cost to wounded, injured, and ill veterans from Iraq/Afghanistan and post-9/11 police, firefighters, and EMTs with permanent physical disabilities. The organization delivers multi-sport training and expeditions including scuba diving, rock climbing, snow skiing, canyoneering, fly fishing, mountain biking, backpacking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and yoga, covering all airfare, lodging, meals, and training expenses through charitable donations.

Product overview

SUDS is a non-profit adaptive sports organization that operates a unified program offering multiple adventure sports activities for wounded, injured, and ill veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as post-9/11 Police, Firefighters, and EMTs with permanent physical disabilities. The core program includes adaptive scuba diving, rock climbing, snow skiing, water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding, rafting, canyoneering), backpacking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and yoga. All activities are provided at no cost to participants, with SUDS covering airfare, lodging, meals, and training expenses. The organization functions as a single integrated program rather than separate platform modules, with the various sports activities serving as components of a comprehensive rehabilitation-through-adventure approach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adaptive Scuba Diving Program
• Adaptive Rock Climbing Program
• Adaptive Snow Skiing Program
• Adaptive Water Sports Program
• Backpacking and Hiking Program
• Fly Fishing Program
• Mountain Biking Program
• Yoga and Wellness Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 95.5 cents of every dollar went directly to support Servicemember program (2024 Financial Audit)

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MOVE UNITEDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUDS is a member of MOVE UNITED which includes over 225 member organizations located within the US that provide access to adaptive sports opportunities across the country.
• SDI (Scuba Diving International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDI is a long time supporter of SUDS. Featured in SUDS Giving Tuesday video with John W. Thompson speaking about the program.
• Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSUDS participates in the CFC program in the National Capital area. CFC # 94754. The CFC is a program allowing charitable organizations to solicit contributions from federal government employees through payroll deductions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Ability Center: Park City, UT-based nonprofit providing adaptive sports and outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities. Direct comparable on multi-sport adaptive programming (skiing, climbing, rafting, etc.) and similar participant profile.
• Soldier Ride (Wounded Warrior Project program): Adaptive cycling program for wounded warriors operated under Wounded Warrior Project. Directly comparable as an adaptive sports offering for the same Iraq/Afghanistan wounded-veteran population.
• Team Rubicon: Veteran-led nonprofit combining disaster response with outdoor/adventure service for post-9/11 veterans. Shares the 'veteran rehabilitation through outdoor/adventure activity' thesis and similar donor base.
• Heroes on the Water: Nonprofit providing adaptive paddling (kayak fishing) experiences to wounded warriors, first responders, and their families. Directly comparable in adaptive water-sports programming and target beneficiary population.
• Adaptive Sports Center (Crested Butte): Colorado-based adaptive recreation nonprofit providing year-round mountain sports for individuals with disabilities. Comparable multi-sport adaptive programming and outcomes-based rehabilitation focus.
• Higher Ground: Sun Valley, ID-based adaptive recreation nonprofit serving wounded warriors and individuals with disabilities through skiing, fishing, and other outdoor sports. Comparable adaptive-sports rehabilitation model.

Broad incumbents

• The Mission Continues: National nonprofit focused on post-9/11 veteran reintegration through service, leadership, and community impact programs. Same beneficiary pool, broader programmatic scope beyond adaptive sports.
• Wounded Warrior Project: The largest US nonprofit serving wounded veterans, with broad programming beyond sports. Highly comparable beneficiary population (post-9/11 wounded veterans) and a much larger operational and fundraising footprint.
• Move United: The national umbrella organization for adaptive sports in the US (225+ member orgs), of which SUDS is itself a member. Move United is the broad incumbent in the same adaptive-sports mission space, operating a federation rather than direct programs.

Regional players

• Challenge Alaska: Alaska-based adaptive sports nonprofit offering outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities including veterans. Comparable mission and multi-sport adaptive programming, though regionally focused in Alaska.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQvNfVEZf280k7twnmubS4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/SUDSUSA
• Instagraminstagram.com/suds_inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soldiers-undertaking-disabled-scuba-suds-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Servicemembers Undertaking Disabled Sports