Newsletter Q4 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,
All of us here in Nick’s hometown of Steamboat Springs might still be in the grip of Old Man Winter, but the days are getting longer. And as the temperatures warm up, so does our continued love for Nick’s spirit and legacy. Please enjoy this quarterly update from the Nick Would Foundation, which is ushering in another busy year 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 - Huge Success!!
Surf’s up! The Nick Would Foundation hosted its second annual amateur surf competition on La Jolla Shores Beach in beautiful La Jolla, CA, on Sat., Sept. 13 to great waves and even better participation. Huge thanks to the Windansea Surf Club for helping to sponsor this fun, low-key surf event (deemed an “expression session”). It was a blast for participants and spectators alike, with judges looking for enthusiasm, fun, and overall “steeze.” Entrants performed everything from headstands to 360s and switch foots to board swapping, all in the name of a good time, helping others, and celebrating Nick’s spirit. Women’s winner Bella Mattera even donned ski poles and snow pants to reach the podium, while men’s winner Liam Casey threw some huge airs and stylish turns on a fish, very similar to Nick’s favorite board at Cal Poly. As well as great surfing, attendees enjoyed food, libations, raffle prizes, and schwag, including surf comp T-shirts with cool new artwork from Dom. Then everyone met for a ragin’ live band and afterparty at Beaumont’s, dancing till the cows came home. The comp even got the attention of the media, with surf website The Inertia covering it (read story here). Mark your calendar for the 3rd annual surf jam on September 12th, 2026.
Steamboat Free Summer Concert Series Fundraiser Going Strong
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 everyone gathered, remembered Nick, and grooved to the music of Andy Frasco & The U.N. at the Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series, followed by a great barbecue at the Simon’s ranch the following day. Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a terrific weekend. Mark your calendars for the weekend of June 20-21st 2026, for next year’s concert and silent auction fundraiser!
Silent Auction Take II
This year’s Silent Auction Fundraiser was such a success that we’re hosting it again in 2026. Have something you want to donate? Get ahead of the game and get it off your plate by emailing nickwould11@gmail.com. Proceeds go toward supporting Nick’s spirit and legacy and our mission to spread his stoke to everyone.
Yampa Yearnings Launch!
We all know Nick loved his hometown Yampa River. Well, board member Eugene Buchanan is celebrating it with his new book “Yampa Yearnings” (complete with a dedication to Nick, among others). Let’s help him reach the takeout of his ode to one of the west’s last free-flowing waterways by supporting his Kickstarter campaign*, where you can pre-order, pledge, and help spread the word to your friends (and even score a river trip and schwag). Here is where you can find more information.
*The campaign ends Nov. 15, so visit it soon!
That’s a Wrap!
2025 Grants Awarded, Furthering Foundation’s Mission
Our grant giving is wrapped up for 2025, with all sights set on giving away even more in 2026. In 2025, the Nick Would Foundation has granted out $35,000 (eclipsing 2024’s $29,000 in grants), continuing our mission of helping people explore and preserve the outdoors and develop artistic talent. We’re proud to make donations to the following worthy organizations:
Oregon Adaptive Sports: $1,000
Integrated Community’s Newcomer Ski Program: $3,000
Stern Grove Festival: $1,000
Friends of the Yampa: $2,000
5 Point 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!
Video Competition Enters Year 2
Following the success of last year’s competition, the foundation hosted its second annual Nick Would Foundation Video Competition! (View last year’s entry here). The 5 Point Film Festival has again signed on to help with the competition and we have received a number of amazing submissions.
Winners will be announced on November 23rd - stay posted.
NWF Sponsors IFSA Steamboat Big Mtn Comp
The Nick Would Foundation is again sponsoring the IFSA Steamboat Big Mountain Freeride competition hosted by the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club January 16-17, 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 and something Nick truly loved,” 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, T-shirts, buffs, holiday ornaments, and more—all from sustainable lifestyle clothing brand West Lyfe here in Steamboat. Profits go directly to the Nick Would Foundation. Purchase your Nick Would merchandise here.
Sticker Slappin’
This quarter’s featured sticker slap comes from old and dear friends of the Simons, Ted and Molly Eldredge, who travelled to Interlocken, Switzerland, to the “top of Europe” to make their slap.
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