In today’s digital world, it’s understandable that people ask questions when they see a nonprofit pop up in their Facebook feed or out on the trail. A few individuals have recently thrown around accusations, claiming that Virginia Off Road might be a scam or that we’re just selling merch for profit.
Frankly, we welcome the scrutiny — because transparency is one of our core values.
So let’s clear the air:
✅ We Are a Legally Registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Virginia Off Road is fully registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. That means we’ve gone through the proper legal channels, filed the right paperwork, and are held to a high standard when it comes to transparency, reporting, and spending.
We are not a Facebook group trying to make a quick buck off t-shirts or badges.
We are a mission-driven nonprofit built by off-roaders, for off-roaders — dedicated to protecting our trails, supporting veterans, educating newcomers, and building a better community in Virginia.
You can verify our IRS status at any time (juse use our EIN to search for us 33-3804321), and we also make our donation stats and program breakdowns public at vaoffroad.org/stats.
💡 Where Do Donations Go?
Great question.
Most people who donate do so in small amounts — usually $2 to $5 a month — and we’re grateful for every single dollar. We’re not funded by big corporate donors or government grants. We’re funded by YOU.
That’s why we take every dollar seriously and aim to stretch it as far as possible.
Our spending supports four key pillars:
1. Education
We create trail education classes, digital materials, and downloadable resources to help people learn:
- How to safely use 4WD systems (4H vs 4L, when to engage lockers, etc.)
- The importance of tread lightly principles
- What gear to carry on a trail
- How to read trail difficulty ratings
- And more…
Our educational content is 100% original and made right here in Virginia — not copied and pasted from YouTube. We even offer free online quizzes and certification courses for members.
2. Conservation
This is personal for us. We’ve all seen trails closed because of misuse — mud pits turned into dumping grounds, and trash bags left behind. So we act.
- We organize trail cleanup days
- Educate members on Leave No Trace principles
- Work with landowners, counties, and land managers to keep trails open, not shut down
Without action, these trails WILL disappear — and no, that’s not being dramatic. We’ve already lost access to several areas because of a few people’s poor behavior. We want to be the solution, not the problem.
3. Access Protection
Virginia’s off-roaders are constantly under threat from growing development, land restrictions, and regulatory red tape. Our nonprofit works to:
- Build relationships with landowners and parks
- Advocate for balanced use policies that allow responsible off-roading
- Raise awareness about why these trails are important to our community
We want to make sure our kids and grandkids can still enjoy the same dirt roads and wooded paths we love.
4. Community Support
At the heart of everything we do is our community. Whether it’s helping someone recover their rig, giving a new off-roader confidence on their first trail, or hosting meetups — we foster friendships and make off-roading about more than just tires and traction.
🎖️ The Trail To Recovery Program (Veteran Support)
One of the most powerful programs we run is Trail To Recovery, which pairs military veterans and service members with guided trail rides, community support, and the healing power of nature.
For many, the trail is more than dirt and rocks — it’s a place to reconnect, de-stress, and feel like part of something again. Veterans in our community have told us that this program literally saved their lives. We don’t take that lightly.
Your donations help us expand this program, cover gas, provide gear, and keep it free for those who served.
🧰 Trail Rescue and Real-World Help
We’ve also built a Trail Rescue network — a team of volunteers across the state who step up to help others recover, repair, or navigate when things go sideways. It’s not a tow truck service. It’s a community of off-roaders helping other off-roaders, because that’s what this lifestyle is supposed to be about.
We don’t charge. We don’t expect tips. We just show up and get dirty.
🫂 100% Volunteer-Run. No Salaries. No Hidden Cuts.
Every board member — including myself, the Executive Director — is a volunteer. We don’t take paychecks. No one is here for personal gain. We’re just passionate off-roaders trying to make a difference.
This is a labor of love, not a job.
🛍️ What About the Merch Store?
We’ve heard the criticism: “You’re just selling patches and shirts to make money.” Let’s break that down:
- Patches and badges are sold at cost, with a small additional fee (usually about $1) to cover stamps, envelopes, and packaging.
- Shirts, hoodies, and mugs bring in about $3 to $5 per item, depending on what you purchase. The rest goes to the print-on-demand provider.
- We do not mark things up to make a profit. The merch store exists because our community asked for a way to represent the nonprofit on the trail, and because it helps spark conversations about our mission.
You’re not funding someone’s vacation. You’re funding a movement.
📣 We Do Monthly Facebook Q&A Sessions
Unlike many nonprofits, we put ourselves out there every month. On our Facebook page is public, we host live Q&A sessions where anyone can:
- Ask where money is going
- Suggest new ideas
- Learn about current and upcoming projects
- Speak directly with board members
No filters. No PR spin. Just real talk.
❤️ Our Mission Is Simple: Preserve Trails. Protect Access. Educate. Support.
We don’t claim to be perfect. We’re growing, learning, and listening every step of the way. But at our core, we believe in this:
- Trails should stay open.
- Off-roaders should learn how to tread lightly.
- Veterans deserve a healing outlet.
- And community matters more than clicks or profit.
If we do nothing, Virginia’s trails will continue to close. If we work together, we can preserve this way of life — for our kids, our veterans, and for the next generation of off-roaders.
So no, we’re not a scam. We’re a grassroots nonprofit built on purpose, passion, and people.
👉 Want to Get Involved?
- Become a $2/month supporting member at vaoffroad.org/join-today
- Check out our projects and statistics: vaoffroad.org/stats
- Follow us on Facebook
- Ask us anything during our next Q&A — we’re not going anywhere.
Thank you to every single person who believes in what we’re doing. Let’s keep Virginia’s trails wild, clean, and open — together.
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