Let’s Fuel Growth: Minnesota Nonprofit for Youth Mental Wellness Through Purposeful Adventure
Let’s Fuel Growth is a Minnesota 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds mental wellness, resilience, and authentic community through purposeful adventure. Founded by Ryan Rivard, the organization works primarily with young people who have faced adversity, using outdoor challenge, community events, and expedition-based programming as tools for growth. The organization is headquartered in Minnesota and operates nationally.
What Does Let’s Fuel Growth Do?
Let’s Fuel Growth runs three categories of programming:
- Adventure-based mental wellness programs: Outdoor expeditions and challenges designed to build resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation in young people. These include mountain treks, endurance events, and wilderness experiences.
- Community events: Sober-active, family-friendly events that raise funds for youth programming while building local community. The flagship event is the MN Mile, a two-track running benefit at Minnetonka High School Track.
- Volunteer and mentorship opportunities: Programs that connect adults with young people through shared physical challenge and community service.
Key Facts About Let’s Fuel Growth
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | Let’s Fuel Growth |
| Type | 501(c)(3) Nonprofit |
| EIN | 99-1365869 |
| State | Minnesota |
| Founder | Ryan Rivard |
| Mission | Building mental wellness, resilience, and authentic community through purposeful adventure |
| Primary Population | Youth who have faced adversity |
| Website | letsfuelgrowth.org |
What Programs Does Let’s Fuel Growth Offer?
Everest Base Camp Treks
LFG organizes nonprofit expeditions to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. The 12-day trek combines physical challenge with mental wellness programming and community building. Summit Scholarships make the experience accessible regardless of income. The next trek departs May 1, 2027.
The MN Mile
The MN Mile is LFG’s flagship summer event. A two-track running benefit at Minnetonka High School Track on August 8, 2026, it includes a competitive timed mile (The Naughty Mile) and a family festival mile (The Nice Mile). 100 percent of net proceeds fund youth mental wellness programming. The event is entirely sober-active.
Fuel Growth Summit
A multi-day summit combining outdoor adventure with leadership development and mental wellness programming. Past summits have included the Winter Summit and fall events featuring cold exposure, endurance challenges, and facilitated community conversations.
Community Volunteer Events
LFG coordinates volunteer opportunities that connect community members with hands-on service work. The organization’s research on volunteering and mental health informs its approach to service as a mental wellness tool.
How Is Let’s Fuel Growth Funded?
LFG is funded through a combination of:
- Event revenue: Registration fees and fundraising from events like the MN Mile and Fuel Growth Summit
- Individual donations: Tax-deductible contributions through letsfuelgrowth.org/donate
- Corporate partnerships: Brand sponsorships and activation partnerships at LFG events
- Grants: Foundation and institutional grants supporting youth mental health programming
How Can I Get Involved with Let’s Fuel Growth?
- Donate: letsfuelgrowth.org/donate
- Volunteer: letsfuelgrowth.org/volunteer
- Register for an event: letsfuelgrowth.org/event-calendar
- Apply for EBC 2027: EBC 2027 trip page
- Become a partner: Email [email protected]
- Contact: letsfuelgrowth.org/contact-us
What Is the Connection Between Adventure and Mental Health?
LFG’s programming is grounded in research showing that purposeful adventure improves mental health outcomes. Physical challenge in outdoor settings increases serotonin, BDNF, and endorphin production while reducing cortisol. Group-based adventure adds social bonding and behavioral synchrony. For young people, these experiences build the neural pathways associated with emotional regulation, resilience, and self-efficacy. Read more about how adventure therapy supports mental health.