How one rural nonprofit is reclaiming economic power — and reimagining community development through tourism
In small rural communities, economic development often relies on creativity, relationships, and a lot of hard work. But for Trails to the Boundary Society, a nonprofit based in BC’s West Boundary region, these qualities came together in a much deeper way: through a bold, long-term decision to take control of their own economic future. When key funding was cut, they didn’t scale back — they acquired a business.
With the support of Purppl’s social enterprise coaching, the nonprofit launched KVR Outfitters, the only local operator offering multi-day, self-guided cycling tours on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (KVR). This is both a sustainability strategy and a rural economic reclamation project.
What does rural economic resilience look like? For one BC nonprofit, it starts with bikes, bold decisions, and a belief in community-owned solutions.
Why would a nonprofit buy a business?
The answer is simple: survival and sustainability.
Trails to the Boundary lost a significant portion of its core funding – $30,000 earmarked for economic development work. “That’s a huge amount for us to lose from our small annual budget” said President Pat Henley.
Rather than cut back or wait for new funding, the board considered something different – generating their own revenue through an impact-aligned business.
At the same time, a local bike tour company operating along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail was looking to sell. The alignment was too strong to ignore. Trails to the Boundary already managed 155km of rail trail in the region, had deep roots in community development, and saw potential for tourism to strengthen the rural economy.
From Idea to Acquisition: The Learning Curve
Brian McKenzie, Purppl Entrepreneur In Residence, worked side by side with the Trails to the Boundary team
The path from idea to ownership was long and far from easy.
With guidance from their Purppl Entrepreneur In Residence Brian McKenzie, the Trails to the Boundary team rolled up their sleeves and got to work on the financial and legal planning required to buy and run a business.
This meant building a pro forma, which is essentially a detailed forecast that estimates how much money the business will bring in, how much it will cost to run, and whether it can be sustainable over time. But it wasn’t a simple spreadsheet. The original business was a sole proprietorship, which meant its financial records weren’t structured in a way that made them easy to analyze or plan around.
Vicki Gee, Community Services Coordinator, spent months of unpaid time sorting through years of receipts, sales records, and expenses and then worked with Brian to translate those into a structured, forward-looking plan.
“Brian didn’t just give us a template, he coached us through every line item until we understood it ourselves,” said Vicki.
In the end, their hard work paid off. They negotiated a better purchase price, with no interest for the first three years and a manageable four-year repayment plan thanks to a supportive relationship with the previous owners.
They also made the key decision to purchase the business’s assets, not the company itself, which minimized their exposure to any hidden debts, reputational risks, or legal issues from the previous owner.
With support from lawyers, accountants, and Purppl’s coaching, they created a new for-profit company owned 100% by the nonprofit to run the business legally and sustainably.
“If we’d known how hard this would be, we might not have done it,” shared Vicki. “But now that we’re here, we’re all in.”
Overcoming the Culture Barriers
Perhaps the most powerful lessons were cultural. Running a business required a mindset shift for board members and volunteers used to grant cycles and nonprofit reporting.
“We worked through every single line of that financial model and operational plan,” remembers Brian. “They bought a business and built the ability to own it and run it.”
It also meant taking on new roles in marketing, tour coordination, customer service, and more, often without prior experience.
And yet, the community showed up.
The Rippling Impact of Bike Tours
This is what rural economic development can look like: locally owned, community-rooted, and built to last.
With the launch of KVR Outfitters (KVRO), Trails to the Boundary found a pathway to sustain their nonprofit while also activating a missing piece of the regional tourism economy. KVRO is the only local provider to offer multi-day, self-guided cycling tours on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, meeting a clear gap in the market.
But more importantly, the impact ripples through the region:
- Meals and accommodations are sourced from small local providers
- We are engaging local non-profits
- Partnering businesses include accommodators, restaurants, shuttle companies, and bike repair shops
What’s next? Birding tours. Snowshoe adventures. Outreach to Big White Mountain Community, Grand Forks and Christina Lake.
They’re currently onboarding a new Tour Manager, a local resident with a background in marketing, sports and business management. His advice is to take the first year slowly, and develop clean processes before expanding their offerings.
With each intentional step, the team understands that by building revenue sustainability and impact into their rural tourism business, they are putting locals first, keeping dollars in the region, and contributing toward the long-term resilience of their community.
Lessons for Other Nonprofits
For nonprofits considering acquiring a business as a path to sustainability, the Trails to the Boundary (TTTB) team offers both encouragement and honest reflection:
Start with what you already do well. TTTB was already known for its trail stewardship, visitor services, and rural development work. The cycling tour business aligned naturally and enhanced their existing impact.
Every great ride starts with a sense of direction. KVR Outfitters helps travellers explore more than just a trail; they help them discover rural BC.
Don’t go it alone. Advisors, like legal, financial, and strategic, were essential. “We couldn’t have done it without consultants,” said the TTTB team, pointing to the vital support of their Purppl Entrepreneur in Residence, who guided them through due diligence, financial forecasting, governance decisions, and more.
Buy, don’t build. Starting a business from scratch is riskier, slower, and more expensive. By acquiring an existing operation, TTTB gained a customer base, equipment, historical financials, and local reputation.
Get your Board on board. Transparency, trust, and ongoing communication helped their Board stay engaged through periods of uncertainty.
Look at your strengths. TTTB is the hub for communication in the West Boundary through their website westboundary.com and publication of the Kettle River Echo, physical space, and long-standing relationships. These assets can give nonprofits a major advantage when stepping into a business role. “It’s all about communication,” says Pat Henley.
And their advice to other nonprofits?
“Do your research. Talk to Purppl. Attend conferences, like Keeping It Rural. Learn from what others are doing – Community Futures East Kootenay was one of our inspirations.”
Most importantly, remember that social enterprise is about generating revenue, building long-term community resilience and creating new pathways for local economic impact. With the right support and a clear sense of purpose, nonprofits can own and operate meaningful, sustainable businesses that serve both their mission and their communities.
The Future of Nonprofit-Led Business
As inequality grows and funding becomes more uncertain, nonprofit ownership of community businesses could become a major lever for local impact.
It’s not for everyone. But for those willing to explore it, there’s real potential.
“If we only did one thing to shift our economic system,” says Purppl Cofounder and Managing Director Andrew Greer, “changing who owns the profits would be it. This is one way we build wealth in the nonprofit sector and keep it rooted in community.”
Want to Experience the Impact Yourself?
When planning your summer travel this year, consider supporting KVR Outfitters, and enjoy a meaningful, local cycling experience in this unique Canadian destination. The historic Kettle Valley Trail is a converted railway corridor on the Trans Canada Trail, well loved by cyclists (and hikers) who pass through a variety of landscapes, including mountains, valleys, forests, and even a “pocket desert”, as well as old trestles and tunnels – remnants of the trail’s mining past.
Book a tour or learn more at kettlevalleyrailtrail.com.
