Luke5adventures

What Luke5adventures does

Luke5Adventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2020 and headquartered in Mason, Ohio, that provides adaptive hiking experiences for individuals with physical disabilities and mobility challenges. The organization operates through a chapter-based service model across 11 US locations (Cincinnati OH HQ, Baton Rouge LA, Flagstaff AZ, Ridgeland MS, Bethel CT, Cleveland OH, Huntsville AL, Southern Wisconsin, Central PA, Colorado Springs CO, Tucson AZ, and the newly founded NE Kansas chapter), with each chapter hosted as a ministry of a partner church and staffed by trained volunteer Sherpas who carry hikers using the Joëlette one-wheeled adaptive hiking device, nicknamed 'Rosie' in honor of Debi Rosen, the founder's inspiration. Core service lines include Solo Hike (1-2 hour free personal adventures), Group Hike (free community-focused events), and the premium Hike of a Lifetime program (multi-day bucket-list expeditions to destinations such as Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, and Israel, funded through family-led fundraising with L5A logistics support).

The underlying technology is the Joëlette mechanical adaptive hiking chair (a single-wheeled, human-carried device manufactured in France and distributed via Colorado), supplemented by L5A-developed safety protocols and the proprietary Luke5Academy online training curriculum that standardizes Sherpa certification across chapters. The organization has completed 2,200+ hikes and recorded 7,000+ volunteer appearances, reporting $1M in community value added.

The business model is donation and grant-driven with no pricing charged to participants for Solo or Group Hikes. Revenue streams include individual and corporate donations (via Givebutter, Venmo, and direct mail), foundation grants (including the Gardner Family Foundation), chapter licensing fees of $1,500 per chapter per year, and Hike of a Lifetime pass-through family fundraising. New chapters must raise approximately $12,000 in startup capital covering licensing fees, a $9,000 Rosie device, and safety equipment, with the Start a Chapter program serving as the formal onboarding pathway. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on church partnerships, Joni & Friends disability retreat referrals, organic social media, and word-of-mouth, rather than paid acquisition.

Name

Luke5adventures

Legal name

Luke5Adventures

Website

https://luke5adventures.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Luke5Adventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free adaptive hiking experiences for individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges across 11 US chapters, using Joëlette devices and trained volunteer Sherpas, plus premium multi-day Hike of a Lifetime expeditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (56152), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

akta.pro primary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Backpacking Tour Operators (THAAADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Eco-Adventure Multi-Day Expeditions (Trekking, Hut-to-Hut, Pack Trips) (THAAAEAJ), Technical Outdoor Guiding Services (Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering) (THAAALAA)

Keywords

• Adaptive hiking experiences
• Disability outdoor recreation
• Adaptive equipment programs
• Faith-based nonprofit ministry
• Chapter-based volunteer services

Headquarters

HQ city

Mason

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Luke5Adventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded entirely through personal/corporate donations and foundation grants. Chapters accept donations via various platforms including Givebutter, Venmo, and direct mail. Donors can support specific chapters, the general Impact Fund, or fund Hike of a Lifetime expeditions.
2. Chapter Licensing Fees: Each chapter pays an annual licensing fee of $1,500 as part of the Luke5Adventures licensing agreement for using the brand, training programs, and operational framework.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Luke5Adventures provides adaptive hiking experiences for individuals with disabilities and mobility challenges through a chapter-based nonprofit model. Hikers are carried on specialized Joëlette one-wheeled chairs (nicknamed "Rosie") by trained Sherpa volunteers, enabling access to trails, mountains, and national parks. Solo Hikes and Group Hikes are offered free of charge, while the Hike of a Lifetime program delivers multi-day bucket-list expeditions funded through family-led fundraising.

Product overview

Luke5Adventures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing adaptive outdoor hiking experiences for individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges. The organization operates through a network of local chapters across the United States, with Cincinnati, Ohio serving as the headquarters. Core services include Solo Hike (one-on-one adventures), Group Hike (community-focused multi-hiker events), and Hike of a Lifetime (multi-day bucket-list expeditions). The organization utilizes specialized Joelette adaptive hiking chairs nicknamed 'Rosie' to enable hikers to access trails. Luke5Academy provides training for Sherpa volunteers and chapter leadership. The organization is structured as a ministry associated with various churches and operates 12 chapters nationwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solo Hike

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,200+ successful hikes completed
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Joni & FriendscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Joni & Friends disability organization. L5A chapters provide hiking experiences at Joni & Friends Family Retreats including locations in Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Arizona. This is a flagship partnership demonstrating the core mission alignment between organizations serving individuals with disabilities through faith-based programming.
• Rocky Mountain Calvary ChurchcoreOthersHost church for the Colorado Springs chapter. Provides ministry affiliation, 501(c)(3) status, volunteers, and facilities for chapter operations.
• Grace ChapelcoreOthersHost church for the Cincinnati headquarters. Ministry partner providing 501(c)(3) status and operational support for the main L5A office.
• Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (Huntsville)coreOthersHost church for the Huntsville, Alabama chapter.
• Cornerstone Community Church (Mayfield)coreOthersHost church for the Cleveland chapter.
• Pear Orchard Presbyterian ChurchcoreOthersHost church for the Ridgeland, Mississippi chapter. First L5A chapter in Mississippi.
• Bethel United Methodist ChurchcoreOthersHost church for the Bethel, Connecticut chapter - first L5A chapter in New England.
• Manhattan Church of ChristcoreOthersHost church for the NE Kansas chapter based in Manhattan, Kansas.
• CintasminorOthersCorporate supporter and partner listed on the main website supporters section.
• Truepoint WealthminorOthersCorporate supporter and partner listed on the main website supporters section.
• Survival Med OnlineminorOthersCorporate supporter and partner listed on the main website supporters section.
• Your Metro ParksminorOthersPark system partner supporting hiking events in Ohio area.
• ReliaMedminorOthersCorporate supporter and partner listed on the main website supporters section.
• Cincy BlindminorOthersPartner organization for Cincinnati-area blindness and disability services.
• Vineyard CincinnatiminorOthersChurch partner in Cincinnati area.
• Warren County DDminorOthersGovernment disability services partner for Warren County, Ohio hiking events.
• BB4K (Best Buddies)minorOthersBest Buddies chapter partner listed on supporters section.
• Gardner Family FoundationminorOthersFoundation supporter listed on main website.
• Tim Tebow FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Night To Shine special event in Tucson, Arizona - Tim Tebow's prom for people with special needs.
• Lebanon Presbyterian ChurchminorOthersChurch that sent mission trip volunteers to serve alongside L5A Colorado Springs chapter in hiking events.
• Copiah AcademyminorOthersVarsity football team that provided volunteer sherpas at RAD Camp and Camp Kamassa in Mississippi.
• Bens Bikes TucsonminorOthersLocal Tucson business partner supporting the chapter.
• Roadhouse Cinemas TucsonminorOthersLocal Tucson business partner supporting the chapter.
• Snooze Eatery TucsonminorOthersLocal Tucson restaurant partner supporting the chapter.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Joni and Friends: International Christian disability ministry operating family retreats and disability outreach. While broader than outdoor recreation, they are L5A's flagship referral partner (PA, LA, OH, MI, AZ retreats —) and the most comparable faith-based organization serving the disability community.
• Move United: National umbrella organization (formerly Disabled Sports USA) coordinating a network of community-based adaptive sports chapters across the U.S. Broader scope than L5A but highly comparable in the chapter-based delivery model and adaptive outdoor recreation mission.

Direct peers

• Wilderness Inquiry: Minnesota-based nonprofit that provides outdoor adventure experiences for people of all abilities, including adaptive hiking, paddling, and camping trips. Directly comparable mission to L5A of enabling people with disabilities to access wilderness, with a similar volunteer-based delivery model.
• National Ability Center: Park City, Utah nonprofit offering adaptive outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, and alpine activities for individuals with disabilities. Operates a similar chapter/regional delivery model and uses specialized adaptive equipment, comparable to L5A's Joëlette/Rosie program.
• Adaptive Adventures: Colorado-based nonprofit providing adaptive outdoor sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities, including cycling, skiing, and climbing. Comparable volunteer-driven adaptive outdoor delivery model to L5A's chapter structure.
• Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center: Colorado-based nonprofit specializing in outdoor adventure programs for people of all abilities, including adaptive hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. Comparable in offering multi-day adaptive experiences using specialized equipment, similar to L5A's Hike of a Lifetime program.
• Outdoors for All Foundation: Seattle-area nonprofit providing adaptive outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing, and climbing for individuals with disabilities. Operates a similar volunteer-powered chapter model and is a close direct peer in mission and target population.

Emerging players

• No Barriers USA: Nonprofit providing transformative outdoor experiences for people with disabilities and veterans through hiking, paddling, and adventure-based programs. Comparable mission and adaptive outdoor programming, though with a narrower geographic footprint.
• Catalyst Sports: Adaptive mountain sports nonprofit offering adaptive hiking, climbing, and paddle sports for people with disabilities. Smaller scale than L5A but with overlapping adaptive outdoor mission and specialized equipment use.
• Dream Adaptive Recreation: Nonprofit providing adaptive skiing, hiking, and outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities. Smaller, more regionally focused organization with a comparable volunteer-delivery model and adaptive outdoor mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Luke5Adventures
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@luke5adventures
• Facebookfacebook.com/luke5adventures
• Instagraminstagram.com/luke5adventures
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/luke-5-adventures

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 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 Luke5adventures