2011-2012

ANNUAL REPORT

Transforming lives through outdoor recreation

Simply put, Outdoors for All transforms lives through outdoor recreation. Not just the lives of those with disabilities and their family members, but so, too, the instructors, volunteers and staff. So, we are delighted to be able to join with you in celebrating its success and helping provide the financial support needed to ensure that its important work continues long into the future.

At the heart of a successful organization is a caring and capable staff. We both wish to acknowledge the terrific contributions of the amazing Outdoors for All staff, who make it possible for the organization to deliver its outstand-ing adaptive recreation programs.

Throughout this annual report we’ll report on some of the initiatives and contributors that make a difference with Outdoors for All. Our work to enrich the lives of others would also not be possible without the support of the many donors, sponsors, participants, volunteers, and friends of Outdoors for All – we thank you and these others for that support.

With great appreciation,

Frank McCaslin Ed BronsdonBoard President Executive Director

OUR MISSION

To enrich the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation

Dear Friends of Outdoors for All,It’s been an incredible year for Outdoors for All’s mission in the community. Despite challenging economic times we again ended our fiscal year “in the black” and we sustained assisting more than 2,000 children and adults with disabilities to exercise their abilities outdoors through skiing, cycling, kayaking, hiking and a host of other outdoor activities.

When it started in 1979 as the Ski for All Foundation, the organization was able to provide a handful of participants with disabilities adaptive ski lessons at The Summit at Snoqualmie. Today, through the efforts of a dedicated staff, an incredible network of more than 700 volunteers, and the generous support of individuals donors, companies and foundations, Outdoors for All delivers a variety of outdoor recreation programs throughout the year.

We each know from personal experience about the therapeutic and adaptive recreation programs that Outdoors for All provides have a profoundly positive impact on children and adults with disabilities and their families.

Frank’s first involvement with Outdoors for All began when his now college age daughter, Megan, was in high school and she volunteered as an Outdoors for All snow-board instructor. He saw and heard how much fun she was having as a volunteer and decided to follow her lead and signed up to volunteer his time, too. A few years later Frank joined the board. Little did he realize how profound of an impact his volunteerism would have.

Like so many others, we’ve both taught adaptive skiing to individuals with disabilities and helped them to exercise their abilities outdoors. By doing so, we can attest first-hand how appreciative these individuals are for these opportunities; and, we know how appreciative we are, too, in getting to share the outdoors with them.

A NOTE FROM OUR LEADERSHIP

Support & Revenue 2012 2011Contributions & Donations 378,999 331,400

Enrollments 428,172 369,545

Government Grants 18,780 18,956

Special Events 332,003 325,230

Direct Expenses for Special Events (91,269) (105,456)

Investment Income 27,186 5,272

Donated Goods & Equipment 227,595 204,348

Donated Volunteer Services 604,760 614,326

Net Assets Release from Restriction 187,8884 68,390

Total Support & Revenue 1,926,226 1,763,621

Expenses 2012 2011Program Services 1,382,423 1,419,308

Management & General 219,658 195,008

Fundraising 178,519 157,361

Total Expenses 1,780,600 1,771,677

Assets 2012 2011Change in new assets 145,626 (8,056)

Net Assets, beginning of year 403,245 411,301

Net Assets, end of year 548,871 403,245

Donated Goods & Services

Contributions

Program Revenue

Other Income (1%)Special Events

42%

17%

19%

22%

78%Program Services

Management & General

Fundraising

12%

10%

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Financial GrowthIn responding to the recent great recession, Outdoors for All’s Board and management worked together to adopt a “Reset” theme for the organization. The new fiscal realities of the past several years made it particularly challenging. We had to say “no” to certain programs that were particularly costly to manage or that had participation levels lower than anyone wanted. We reduced operating costs wherever we could and as a result, we were able to accommodate many of the challenges of our changed economy. Thankfully, this strategy and the contributions of many supporters, kept the organization on solid financial footing and prepared us well to take advantage of new opportunities as they arose.In 2012, after several years of having to make do with less, thankfully we were able to be back in the business of growing. As a result, some of the accomplishments that we’re particularly proud of are noted on this page.

Expanded Military ProgramFor more than 20 years we’ve worked with the Puget Sound VA Healthcare System and other groups to help injured members of the military and veterans with disabilities to exercise their abilities. The last several years we’ve done so with more referrals from the Warrior Transition Battalion of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, enabling injured service members to ski, snowboard, cycle, kayak and rock climb with Outdoors for All. Support from Disabled Sports USA, the US Paralympics, Wounded Warrior Project and private donors has been integral to this growth in rehabilitative programming for these men and women who have put their lives on the line for us. We are honored to do so.

Growth in Custom EventsEach year, Outdoors for All partners with a variety of community organizations, parks and recreation departments, military programs, hospitals and schools to bring the benefits of outdoor recreation directly to these groups. Custom Events often feature adaptive cycling (we have over 40 different kinds of cycles) but can include other activities such snowshoeing, kayaking, camping, rock climbing and more. We worked with 44 Custom Event partners in 2012, delivering 121 activities throughout the year and reaching more than 1,500 unique individuals with disabilities through this program alone.

Expanded Programs at Magnuson ParkOutdoors for All’s base camp in Seattle’s Magnuson Park provides us with many ways to deliver the benefits of adaptive recreation in our community. We are tenants of the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation Department – but we’re partners with them, too, in reaching many individuals with disabilities. Magnuson Park itself is a terrific 350 acre park. Cycling in the park is easy to facilitate, as are longer rides along the Burke-Gilman Trail which is just a few blocks away from the entrance to the park. Being on the shore of Lake Washington makes it easy for us to facilitate kayaking lessons and experiences through day camps and custom events. Rock climbing is also a fun activity we can do thanks to a wall installed by The Mountaineers. There’s plenty to do with Outdoors for All in Magnsuon Park – and we’re working to expand our programs there in 2013!

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 95% agree that participating with Outdoors for All

has enriched or improved their quality of life.

[PARTICIPANT STORY TITLE]

LIVES CHANGED

One initiative that we’ve especially worked on in the past year is to reach out more to active duty military members and veterans who have been injured in service to our coun-try. Thanks to your support and many others, these service men and women can exercise their abilities throughout the year with the Outdoors for All cycling team and skiing programs. One such wounded warrior is Keith Sekora.

We first met Keith Sekora on a clear Saturday night in January earlier this year at Snoqualmie Pass. Keith Sekora took a chance to try skiing as a means for recreation therapy. He came to us via a referral from Wounded Warrior Project and also the Warrior Transition Battalion of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Ed noted that he was personally honored to be asked to help serve as one of Keith’s instructors (Ed reports “I have the best job on this planet!”).

Due to his injuries, Keith has lasting paralysis, troubles with vertigo and difficulties in keeping his balance. He may have a life of physical challenges ahead of him, but as he smiled and told us, “At least I have a life!” Outdoors for All volunteers and staff worked with Keith on the most basic steps pos-sible to help him keep his balance and overcome the many challenges he was faced with as a result of his injuries.

Keith Sekora’s abilities progressed from week-to-week. By the end of the seven week series of lessons he was independently maintaining his balance (something he couldn’t do just several weeks before) and he was descending the mountain on easy sloped terrain almost exclu-sively under his own power. It was a-maz-ing!

Keith Sekora Chloe LarimoreThe physical benefits of fresh air and exercise are only a piece of what makes our adaptive recreation programs important to individuals living with disabilities. Having the opportunity to expand their social network, learn something new, increase self-confidence, and to feel included are added benefits that make our programs unique and special.

For Chloe, who is legally blind in her left eye and has no vision in her right, having the opportunity to snow-board with Outdoors for All has brought out a new side to her that only her grandmother Kat can state best:

“It was amazing last year to watch the instructors work with Chloe. Their kindness and professionalism was outstanding.

Tears of joy came to my eyes each time I saw Chloe glide down the mountain on her approach to the chair lift, so eager to say ‘let’s go again!’ I could see on her face the freedom she was experiencing by the huge smiles and laughter. We don’t experience this on ‘land’ day to day, as she faces physical challenges when walking with her white cane.

The benefits of this program have given Chloe increased self-confidence to try new activities at school. Chloe applied and was accepted into the ‘Peace Patrol’ program at school which requires problem solving, maturity, and listening skills. She also sings in the school choir; both activities I know are a result of her increased self-confidence gained from believing in herself up on the mountain.

We can’t begin to thank you enough for providing Chloe this positive opportunity due to her scholarship to continue snowboarding this year in 2013! We are very grateful.”

Keith spoke at our gala this past fall and received a sustained standing ova-tion from the 350 people in attendance. We were all inspired by his patience, outstanding good humor, and an indomitable will. You’ll find a short video of Keith and his story, too, at www.outdoorsforall.org

85% agree that participating with Outdoors for Allimproved their independence.

THANK YOU

Outdoors for All Foundation6344 NE 74th Street, Suite 102 Seattle, WA 98115

206.838.6030 . www.outdoorsforall.org

American Association of Snowboard Instructors

Atlas Snowshoe CompanyClif BarDepartment of Services for

the BlindDisabled Sports USAEmployees Community Fund

of Boeing Puget SoundK2 SportsLighthouse for the BlindMicrosoftPyramid BreweriesRed RobinRedhook Brewery

Chisholm FoundationDimmer Family FoundationEmployees Community Fund of Boeing Puget SoundFairweather FoundationLucky Seven FoundationMJF FoundationNorcliiff FoundationSample FoundationSeattle Children’s HospitalThe Loeb Family Charitable FoundationsWells Fargo Foundation

REIRide SnowboardsSeattle Parks and RecreationStevens PassSturtevant’sTACIDThe Summit at SnoqualmieU.S. Forest ServiceU.S. ParalympicsWashington Recreation and

Parks AssociationWashington State ParksWells FargoWounded Warrior Project Board of Directors

President: Frank McCaslinVice President: Kathy McDonaldVice President: Bob WellerTreasurer: Matt CryanSecretary: Keith DolliverSharon AllynSandee BrockRB BrownMonique Burton, MDDarren DavisEric FeaglerTracy GibbonsNicky MacInnesBeth MeidingerCristal MeidingerStone ParkerKirk Stephens

StaffExecutive Director : Ed BronsdonChief Operating Officer & Program Director : Connor InsleeAccountant : Sandra WilliamsonProgram Manager : Molly HarriganProgram Manager : Dan RetailliauProgram Coordinator : Kris ChristensenVolunteer Coordinator : Mikaela TrottAdministrative Assistant & Registrar : Jen VollanEvent Coordinator: Jackie MolzhonDevelopment Manager : Nicole PraterDevelopment Manager : Thera MartinWorkstudy : Jacqueline Reyes

Selected foundations & other funding support

Partners and Sponsors

Thank you to all our partners and sponsors for all the support you show Outdoors for All and in turn the support of over 2000 participants with disabilities every year!

80% agree they feel more connected and involved in their community because of their participation with Outdoors for All.