Nonprofit · EIN 84-1512653
ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES
Also known as CHELSEA ELDER
Tax-exempt · WESTMINSTER, CO 80031
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $2,092,857 | $1,949,551 | $143,306 | $1,107,482 | $610,827 | $496,655 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,931,804 | $2,151,831 | -$220,027 | $1,229,755 | $876,406 | $353,349 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 (amended) | $2,004,517 | $1,952,090 | $52,427 | $1,606,691 | $1,033,315 | $573,376 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $1,980,826
- of which government grants
- $746,205
- Program service revenue
- $103,786
- Investment income
- $3,301
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $3,285
- Other revenue
- $4,944
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $126,186
- Other salaries and wages
- $585,192
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $875,853
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $146,527
- Depreciation
- $51,090
- Program services (functional)
- $1,502,637
- Management and general (functional)
- $213,164
- Fundraising (functional)
- $233,750
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,229,755
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,107,482
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $610,827
- Net assets, end of year
- $496,655
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $182,065
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $346,655
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $150,000
- Gross receipts
- $2,092,857
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 374
- Year formed
- 1999
- State of legal domicile
- CO
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Chelsea | Executive Director | 40 | $126,186 |
| Thomas Sauder | Pres/Treas Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Mervet Rodriquez | VP/Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Matt Lucas | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Gary Verrazono | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Jeff Cain | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| O'Connell Brian | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Chelsea | Executive Director | 40 | $120,752 |
| Ladin Sharon | President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Treiser Mike | VP/Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Sauder Thomas | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Hendesi Honey | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Dashrath Sankalpa | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| O'Connell Brian | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Verrazono Gary | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Rodriquez Mervet | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Lucas Matt | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 10 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elder Chelsea | Executive Director | 40 | $100,627 |
| Ladin Sharon | President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Verrazono Gary | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Sauder Thomas | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Hendesi Honey | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| Galowitsh Jeff | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Grib Eugene | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Johns Robert | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| McCarley Steve | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| Ortiz David | Director Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 9053 HARLAN ST STE 34, WESTMINSTER, CO 80031-2908
- In care of
- % CHELSEA ELDER
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- Sauder Thomas
- Signed the 990
- Sauder Thomas, President/Treasurer
- Phone
- (303) 679-2770
- Website
- adaptiveadventures.org
- Return prepared by
- James M Babic PC
Mission
Provide progressive outdoor adventures to individuals with physical disabilities and their families, regardless of location, equipment needs, or economic status.
Program accomplishments
- 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 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada, 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 2025, our small but mighty staff delivered 635+ programs, serving 4,200+ unique participants with over 11,200+ experiences. Volunteers contributed 9,930+ 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 reportremarkable improvements across well-being indicators: 88% experienced improved mental health and expanded social connections, 84% experienced improved physical health and 75% 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 4.75 out of 5 average satisfaction in instruction and 4.69 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, I said Id never rock climbbut I do it anyway. Its all about what you can still do. Groups like Adaptive Adventures are so important because you get that sense of community. Its nice to have people who get it and understand what it takes to keep going. Im not sitting at home feeling sorry for myself. Im out doing something. And thats the point. Adam, U.S. veteran, Fort Collins, ColoradoAdaptive Adventures provides all programs free of charge to participants. In 2025, Adaptive Adventures laid the groundwork for the 2026 launch of its new app, designed to strengthen connections beyond individual programs, reduce isolation, and expand access to resources that help participants thrive.Adaptive Adventures leadership and impact continue to be recognized nationally and locally. In 2025, the organization was awarded the Best Nonprofit in Westminster Award, the City of Westminster Community Spirit Award, the State of Colorado Workplace Safety Recognition Award, the Bronze Award Winner for Anthem Awards Community Engagement, Defender Service Awards Finalist, Governors Excellence in Tourism Finalist and Impact100 Veterans Award. 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.Expenses $1,502,637
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 84-1512653
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1999
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Health care (E860)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,107,482
- Income (IRS master file)
- $2,092,857
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $2,092,857 | $1,949,551 | $1,107,482 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,931,804 | $2,151,831 | $1,229,755 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $2,004,517 | $1,952,090 | $1,606,691 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $1,887,710 | $1,697,094 | $1,019,197 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS publishes only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years appear here as 990.tax collects the monthly files. 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS.
Questions about ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES
- What is the EIN of ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES is 84-1512653.
- Is ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1999.
- Are donations to ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Sauder Thomas.
- Who are the officers and directors of ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 7 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $126,186 (Elder Chelsea, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does ADAPTIVE ADVENTURES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $2,092,857, expenses of $1,949,551 and total assets of $1,107,482 at year end.
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