Newsletter Q3 2025
Our Mission:
To leverage the experience of outdoor pursuits, wildland exploration, and development of artistic talent to extend and expand the light and love Nick brought to our world. Our Goal: To raise over $1M, give away $100K annually, and positively impact at least 1,000 people every year.
Dear Friend of the Nick Would Foundation,
Please enjoy this quarterly update from the Nick Would Foundation, which is busy spreading Nick’s love and helping people explore and preserve the outdoors and develop their artistic talent. Read on for the latest information from the foundation and remember…Nick Would.
Nick Would in the News
2nd Annual Nick Would Foundation Surf Jam
Saturday, September 13th @ La Jolla Shores Beach @ 11 am PT
Surf’s up! The Nick Would Foundation is hosting its second annual amateur surf competition on La Jolla Shores Beach in beautiful La Jolla, CA, on Sat., Sept. 13 at 9 am. Sponsored by the Windansea Surf Club, this fun, low-key surf competition (“expression session”) is a blast for participants and spectators alike (judges look for overall “steeze”), with a variety of age categories. Come on out and enjoy food and libations, as well as surf comp T-shirts (with cool new “surfy” logo artwork from Dom!) for purchase, raffle items, and more. And to finish out a perfect surf day, come meet us for a ragin’ live band and afterparty at Beaumont’s (www.beaumontseatery.com) that evening from 8pm – 1am. Come soak in the sun, sand, and salt and join us for this fun event.
Visit our website for more info, or sign up on the following page:
Nick Would Foundation Surf Jam Entry Form
We had a great turn out for last year’s Surf Jam (below).
Event Recap…
Silent Auction Huge Success!
This year’s Silent Auction Fundraiser held June 10-22 was a huge success, raising ever-important funds for the Nick Would Foundation. Thanks to everyone who donated, bid and otherwise helped. Winning bidders won great prizes and vacations, from condo and house stays (ranging from Florida to Mexico, Aspen and Telluride) to jewelry, spa treatments, artwork and more. And it all goes toward supporting Nick’s spirit and legacy and our mission to spread the stoke to everyone. And don’t worry! If you missed this year’s auction, we’re planning an even bigger and better one next year!
VIP tent for Andy Frasco & The U.N. at the Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series
Nick Would Foundation hats off to another stellar turnout for this year’s VIP tent at Howelsen Hill for the Steamboat Free Summer Concert Series. Vibes were high as we gathered, remembered Nick, and grooved to the music. Thank you to everyone who turned out to make this another terrific event.
Nick Would Ripple Effect in Action!
The Nick Would Ripple Effect is alive and kicking! Want proof? Consider the below stories from folks who have found Nick’s message and reached out from far and wide.
Jonah Fleischer lost his Nick Would bracelet at a ski race in Europe two and a half years ago and found it this summer wrapped around a ski tuning rig in a ski shop in Switzerland! What are the chances?
A woman in Maine searched for “Blaze Foley radio” in her Spotify account (Nick’s favorite musician) and found herself humming along to a song she hadn’t heard before and loving its sound. It was called “Underwater” and was written by Nick and performed by Nick and his sister, Natalie. She liked it so much, she researched more about the artist and came upon the nickwould.com website, learning all about Nick, his life, his passing, and his love for music. She was so touched, she sent Nick’s mom, Sarah, a note telling her how moved she was by it all and how much she loved Nick’s music. She now listens to Nick’s songs on Spotify all the time.
2025 Grants!
The Nick Would Foundation has given away $32,000 in 2025, continuing the Foundation’s mission of helping people explore and preserve the outdoors and develop artistic talent. This year’s grants eclipse the $29,000 donated in 2024, and we intend to give at least another $3,000 away before the end of the year. Included in this year’s giving is the following:
Oregon Adaptive Sports: $1,000
Integrated Community’s Newcomer Ski Program: $3,000
Stern Grove Festival: $1,000
Friends of the Yampa: $2,000
5Point Film Festival/Nick Would Video Contest: $3,000
Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series: $9,000
California’s Windansea Surf Club: $2,000
Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club: $5,000
Public School Ski Sponsorship: $3,000
Autism Ski Association: $3,000
The Cycle Effect: $2,000
Project Valkyrie: $1,000
Have an idea for a recipient? Send it in to nickwould11@gmail.com.
New Logo!
Check our New Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club Logo!
Dominic McLeod (Dom) has designed a second logo centering around Nick’s beloved Howelsen Hill ski area and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club’s big mountain and freestyle teams. If you look closely at the artwork, you may even recognize some of Nick’s pals in there! Please tip your ballcap to Dom for such an amazing logo!
Future Event…
Video Competition Enters Year 2
Let’s call it a sequel! Following the success of last year’s competition, we’re excited to announce the second annual Nick Would Video Competition!
View last year’s entries here.
The 5 Point Film Festival has again signed on to help with the competition, so roll those cameras. Entries will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2025, with winners announced at the end of the year. Roll ‘em! Visit our website for more information.
NWF Sponsors IFSA Steamboat Big Mtn Comp
Once again, the Nick Would Foundation plans to sponsor the IFSA Steamboat Big Mountain Freeride competition hosted by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club January 16 and 17, 2026. Both the discipline and club were close to Nick’s heart, with last year’s event drawing more than 200 participants to Steamboat’s East Face for high-flying fun. This year’s event should be even bigger and better! “It’s the perfect addition to our event line-up,” says Nick’s dad, Dan.
Merchandise Madness…
Hats, Shirts, Buffs and More!
Want to help spread the Nick Would word (and look stylie doing so)? Hats, shirts, buffs, hoodies, and more headline our Nick Would merchandise line. Choose from ballcaps, new (hot-off-the-press!) T-shirts, buffs, holiday ornaments, and more—all from sustainable lifestyle clothing brand West Lyfe here in Steamboat. Best yet, proceeds from every sale go directly to the Nick Would Foundation. Purchase your Nick Would merchandise here.
Sticker Slappin’
Shameless sticker-slappin’ plug: Remember to slap your Nick Would Foundation stickers anywhere you think Nick would want them and upload a photo to the foundation’s Instagram page, describing the where and why of your slap. Happy slappin’!
Nick Would Foundation, PO Box 770014, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477, United States