named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
BK2AK Leadership Program
Program to equip BIPOC youth with skills and experience to become the next generation of outdoor leaders and adventurers
Brooklyn to Alaska Expedition
Two-week wilderness trips for Brooklyn teens featuring glacier climbing, backpacking, rafting, and homesteader visits in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Girls’ Trip
Annual all-female expedition launched in 2017, providing wilderness adventure and leadership development for young women from Brooklyn
Graduate to Guide Program
Leadership initiative that trains alumni to return as mentor-leaders, providing culturally relatable role models for new participants
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Guided Outdoor Expedition Programs 2 activities
- Annual wilderness expeditions for youth from Brooklyn to AlaskaLeads annual two-week wilderness expeditions for approximately twelve young men from Brooklyn to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska, including glacier hikes, summit backpacking trips, and four-day rafting expeditions on the Chitina River. The program has served over 130 young men since its inception in 2008.
- Girls’ Trips to Alaska for young women from BrooklynConducts wilderness expeditions specifically for young women from Brooklyn, including glacier climbing, backpacking, and whitewater rafting. The organization has run six Girls’ Trips since launching the initiative, serving 45 participants in total, including an inaugural trip with six female participants.
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
- BK2AK Leadership Program and alumni mentorshipOperates the BK2AK Leadership Program, which trains alumni to serve as mentor-leaders and guides for new youth expeditions. The program fosters long-term engagement, with participants returning multiple times across a decade and developing leadership skills through the Graduate to Guide Program.
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Environmental Conservation Grantmaking 1 activity
- Development of permanent base camp in Wrangell-St. Elias National ParkAcquired a permanent property in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park to serve as a base for operations in Alaska and initiated preliminary construction of the BK2AK Home Base in June 2023, supported by over 15,000 donors and an anonymous $25,000 donation.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$411K
Contributions & grants$411K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$193K
Program expenses64%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising20%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$537K
Cash$347K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$537K
Liquid reserves21.6 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +106.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 1
- SAM GREGORY — 1 INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEES OR DIRECTORS
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Adam Tschappat Partner — Alaskan builder who surveyed the land, drafted designs, and began construction of the BK2AK Home Base.
- Graduate to Guide Program Partner — Program created by the organization to train alumni as guides for new participants.
- Jack Gorelick Partner — Encouraged the founder to launch the Brooklyn to Alaska program and supported its initiation.
- Jurgen Ogrodnik Partner — World-class classical guitarist and part-time builder supporting the construction of the BK2AK Home Base.
- Mari Arnaud Partner — Board member, consultant, and advocate supporting youth transformation through outdoor programs.
- Matt Stokes Partner — Teacher, mentor, and volunteer serving as a relatable wilderness guide for urban youth.
- Nick Silverstein Partner — Outdoors advocate, mentor, and milliner promoting gut-driven decision-making and teamwork in the wilderness.
- Phil Shung Partner — Board member and mentor who participated in the program as a youth.
- Sam Gregory Partner — Lawyer, advocate, and founder who initiated the organization in response to a personal challenge.
- Sher Tremonte Partner — Law firm whose partners have been long-term supporters of Brooklyn to Alaska
- The Outfitters Partner — Group of monthly donors supporting BK2AK's mission to close the adventure gap and advance outdoor equity.
- Wanda Morales Partner — Board member and mentor focused on healing and sensory engagement through nature.
- Wrangell St. Elias National Park Government — Operates private trips within the protected wilderness area of Wrangell St. Elias National Park.
- young Brooklynites Partner — Youth from Brooklyn served as core participants in outdoor access programs.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally Congruent Mentorship Modelmethodology: culturally_congruent_mentorshipBy pairing youth with relatable mentors from similar urban and cultural backgrounds, we increase trust and integration in wilderness settings, because shared identity reduces alienation and strengthens engagement in transformative experiences.
- Experiential Youth Development Through Challengemethodology: experiential_youth_developmentBy engaging youth in team-based outdoor challenges and experiential decision-making, we produce lasting personal change, because active participation in high-stakes, real-world environments fosters ownership of growth and leadership development.
- Leadership Development for Equity in Outdoor Spacesmethodology: leadership development for equityBy investing in BIPOC youth as future wilderness leaders, we advance equity in outdoor recreation, because representation and role modeling dismantle systemic barriers and expand long-term access and belonging in nature-based spaces.
- Wilderness-Based Personal Developmentmethodology: wilderness-based personal developmentBy immersing youth in challenging wilderness expeditions, we foster personal growth, self-reliance, and resilience, because direct experience with nature and physical adversity helps youth discover inner strength and redirect life paths, especially for those from underserved communities.