Adaptive Adventures
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Provide progressive outdoor adventures to individuals with physical disabilities and their families, regardless of location, equipment needs, or economic status.
- Income
- $1.9 million
- Spending
- $2.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 0 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 485
- Highest pay
- $120,752, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 71% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $1.8 million spent. Adaptive Adventures is redefining whats possible for individuals with children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities and their families through inclusive, mobile, and family-centered outdoor recreation. Unlike traditional adaptive sports agencies, Adaptive Adventures serves as the inclusive and accessible side of the outdoor recreation industry, bringing the equipment, expertise, and community directly to those who need it most. Adaptive Adventures trains and equips local mentors, clinicians, outfitters, guides, and organizations to sustain programs and normalize adaptation in recreation. With more than 18 fully-equipped trailers and satellite programs reaching over 44 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Washington D.C., our team removes barriers to participation and ensures that every individual, regardless of ability, geography, or income, can experience the freedom of the outdoors.In 2024, our small but mighty staff delivered 530 programs, serving 3,900 unique participants through 6,400+ volunteer hours. Across cycling, climbing, paddlesports, skiing, and more, more than 250 years of combined adaptive recreation expertise, including Paralympians, Olympic and Paralympic coaches, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, and individuals with lived experience of disability, enable our team to connect authentically with participants in their journeys of healing, independence, and joy. More than half of our staff live with a physical disability or serve as caregivers, creating a unique peer-to-peer culture of understanding that empowers others to thrive.Each program begins with connection and ends with transformation. Participants report remarkable improvements across well-being indicators: 91% gained new skills, 79% experienced enhanced mental health and expanded social connections, and 76% reported increased confidence and optimism about the future. Thriving Score evaluations, developed with the University of Illinois Chicago, show significant gains in purpose, optimism, and belonging, with 4.42 out of 5 average satisfaction in instruction and 4.38 out of 5 in accessibility and accommodations. Nearly 30% of participants attend 20 or more programs, underscoring sustained engagement and long-term impact.For many, the impact extends far beyond sport, cycling becomes transportation back to work or school, climbing restores confidence after injury, paddlesports build family connection, and skiing rekindles a sense of freedom. One participant shared, Adaptive Adventures helped me find a sense of purpose again. I feel like I belong to a community that truly values me.Adaptive Adventures provides all programs free of charge to participants. In 2024, the organization expanded innovation through six new equipment adaptations and opened the Adaptive Education Center in Westminster, Colorado to train partners, clinicians, and mentors nationwide in adaptive education and program replication.Adaptive Adventures leadership and impact continue to be recognized nationally and locally. In 2024, the organization was honored as an Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Spotlight Winner, received the Minoru Yasui Volunteer Award, and earned city proclamations from Arvada and Westminster for community outreach and inclusivity leadership.Across all programs, Adaptive Adventures fosters belonging through its guiding belief: Where adventure moves us, community holds us, joy heals us, freedom begins. Every mile pedaled, every paddle stroke, and every shared smile represents more than recreation; its a step toward freedom through mobility, physical and mental health, camaraderie, and human flourishing. Donor support sustains this life-changing work, ensuring thousands more individuals with disabilities across the nation can experience freedom through adventure.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.