Whale Foundation

Directions Website Contact the organization

Whale Foundation Serving the Grand Canyon river guiding community since 1996.

Our Mission:
To provide support services that promote, restore, and celebrate the health and well-being of the Grand Canyon river guiding community.

🌊 THE RIVER HEALS: Movie & Gallery Night 🌊Join us for an evening celebrating the healing power of nature, the Colorado R...
10/14/2026

🌊 THE RIVER HEALS: Movie & Gallery Night 🌊

Join us for an evening celebrating the healing power of nature, the Colorado River, and the Grand Canyon - and the important role mental health support plays in our river community.

Gather with your river friends for a night of photography, film, food, and connection, featuring the work of local photographer and filmmaker Dawn Kish.

Through powerful images and stories, we’ll explore the places we love, the experiences that shape us, and the ways the river continues to inspire and heal.

Presented by The Whale Foundation + Beyond the Pines

🎥 Featured Films:
•The Whale Foundation Story
•Tad’s Emerging World – Glen Canyon Exposed
•TEJAS – The Light Within

All films produced by local River Runner, Photographer, and Filmmaker Dawn Kish. Learn more at www.dawnkish.com.

November 6, 2026 5-9 pm, one of Flagstaffs ‘First Friday’ Events.

EVENT SCHEDULE
🖼️ 5–6 PM | Gallery Showing
Explore ‘Glen Canyon Exposed’ - free admission!
🍕 6–7 PM | Pizza + Drinks
Enjoy pizza from Pizzicletta and b**r from Dark Sky Brewery, with non-alcoholic options available.
🎬 7–9 PM | Films + Q&A
Settle in at the Beyond the Pines Gallery for an evening of film, conversation, and connection.
🎟️ $25 wristband includes pizza, b**r or non-alcoholic beverages, and film admission.

💙 All proceeds benefit The Whale Foundation and Dawn Kish Photo + Film, supporting the health and well-being of our river guiding community and the powerful stories that connect us to these remarkable places.

Come celebrate the river, reconnect with friends, and be reminded of the healing power of the places we love. We hope to see you there!

Location: Beyond the Pines ‘Project Connect’ at 604 N Beaver Street, Flagstaff

Tickets available whalefoundation.com/events Link in Bio 🔗

🌿 Sober Curious? Come Gather With Us.The river community knows how to work hard, play hard, and embrace the moment. But ...
10/08/2026

🌿 Sober Curious? Come Gather With Us.

The river community knows how to work hard, play hard, and embrace the moment. But sometimes, taking care of ourselves means taking a closer look at our relationship with how potential habits may be affecting our overall health and well-being.

The Whale Foundation hosts Sober Curious Group Sessions for river guides and outdoor professionals who are curious about sobriety, drinking less, taking a break, or simply exploring a different relationship with alcohol or substance use.

We’ll create a relaxed, supportive space to learn, reflect, and talk about some of the ways alcohol can affect sleep, mood, performance, relationships, overall well-being and explore some alternatives along the way.

No labels. No judgment. No pressure to make a big change. Just an opportunity to ask questions, connect with others, and have an honest conversation about what feeling your best might look like.

Come curious. Come as you are. 🌱

📅 Sundays October 18 and November 1, 15, 29
⏰ 4 to 5 pm
📍 Beyond the Pines 604 N Beaver St. Flagstaff, AZ

Free and open to river guides and outdoor professionals.

Sessions will be led by our Case Manager, Eric Smith. Supported by our friends at Beyond the Pines.

Visit our table at the First Friday Art Walk tonight 5-6:30 in Heritage Square, in downtown Flagstaff! We’ll have books ...
10/02/2026

Visit our table at the First Friday Art Walk tonight 5-6:30 in Heritage Square, in downtown Flagstaff! We’ll have books from our creative river guide friends The Thalweg and Scribblins, poetry book by Steve Kenney plus a few special David Haskell oil paintings and of course some of our Whale Foundation gear!

The First Friday Art Walk in downtown Flagstaff is so fun! Stop by and say hello while you’re out and about.

Learn more about the Art Walks at Creative Flagstaff
Downtown Flagstaff




09/22/2026

Thank you to everyone who supported You Row Kelsey and Whale Foundation during Kelsey’s world record breaking row! Your contributions go directly to our programs and services that support Mental Health, Physical Health, Educational Scholarships, Financial Health, and Mentorship.
THANK YOU 🎉🙏🏼🌀🚣🏼‍♀️

💙 Whitney Wellness Health Insurance Assistance Program Applications Are OPEN!September 15, 2026 – January 15, 2027🙏🏼Crea...
09/16/2026

💙 Whitney Wellness Health Insurance Assistance Program Applications Are OPEN!
September 15, 2026 – January 15, 2027

🙏🏼Created in honor of Tim Whitney, the HIAP encourages Grand Canyon river guides to prioritize their health by helping offset the cost of health insurance through an annual stipend. Inspired by Tim’s desire for river guides to take care of themselves, this program is one way The Whale Foundation supports the health and well-being of our guiding community.

🚣🏼‍♀️Who Is Eligible?
Current or former professional Grand Canyon river guides (commercial or science) who have purchased their own insurance.
👉 Learn more about the HIAP, Tim Whitney and apply online:
whalefoundation.org/healthinsurance
🔗 in bio

🌀Since 1996, The Whale Foundation has been proud to support the health and well-being of the Grand Canyon river guiding community.

🚣‍♀️🚣🏼‍♀️🚣🏼‍♀️🚣🏼‍♀️Please share with a fellow guide who may benefit!





It’s a Whale Sale! 30-50% off Sun & Sweatshirt Hoody’s, select Hats, Visors, and past years designs. We love working wi...
09/14/2026

It’s a Whale Sale! 30-50% off Sun & Sweatshirt Hoody’s, select Hats, Visors, and past years designs. We love working with guide artists to come up with a new design each year. Thanks to Summer Doss Summer Doss for designing our logo and the NRS pfd design for our 30th anniversary this year! Let’s see what next year brings 🤔 … send us your ideas for what artist in the Grand Canyon river guiding community we should work with for 2027! 🧑‍🎨

🛒 Shop our store online at whalefoundation.org/shop

All funds raised go directly to our programs and services including
Mental Health Counseling, Health Insurance Stipends, Scholarships, Health Fair, Mentorship, & Financial Health.





When the river rises and the canyon changes, it can leave more than a physical impact. Flooding at Phantom Ranch may bri...
08/31/2026

When the river rises and the canyon changes, it can leave more than a physical impact. Flooding at Phantom Ranch may bring fear, uncertainty, grief, and a lot of unanswered questions about what comes next.

For those who work on the river, the Grand Canyon is more than a workplace. It’s a place you know intimately, a community you care deeply about, and a part of your life. When something happens there, it can hit close to home.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried about what the future holds, or simply having a hard time processing everything, please know you don’t have to carry it alone.

Our confidential helpline is here for river guides and members of the river community who need someone to talk to. Whether you need help sorting through what you’re feeling, navigating a difficult situation, or simply having someone listen, we’re here.

📞 Call our confidential helpline: (877) 449-4253
There’s no right way to feel right now. And you don’t have to have all the answers.
Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. And remember that reaching out for support is okay. 💙
Www.whalefoundation.org/counseling

Photo: Boat Beach at Phantom Ranch - Sarah Morton

Want to make a difference beyond the river? Join us! We’re looking new Board Members who are passionate about supporting...
08/21/2026

Want to make a difference beyond the river? Join us! We’re looking new Board Members who are passionate about supporting the health and well-being of the Grand Canyon river guiding community.

Bring your experience, perspective, a little time and love to the table, and help guide the future of an organization that has been here for guides for 30 years.

Interested in serving? We’d love to connect!

Apply online 🔗 link in bio or visit our website at
Whalefoundation.org/volunteer

📸 GCRG Guides Training Seminar (GTS) 2026 photo by Grand Canyon Expedition Guide Ana Hosch





🌀The river is always teaching and guides are lifelong learners. Every trip brings new stories, geology, ecology, history...
08/18/2026

🌀The river is always teaching and guides are lifelong learners. Every trip brings new stories, geology, ecology, history, river dynamics, and people to learn from. As interpretive guides, curiosity is part of the job, and for many that curiosity naturally flows beyond the river.

🎉This year, The Whale Foundation - Kenton Grua Memorial Scholarship Program provided $16,060 to 15 applicants pursuing educational and professional goals.

🏜️ When seasons change or careers shift, continuing education can be a natural next step. A new degree, certification, skill, or area of study can open a new channel forward. Like the river, it’s about continuing to move, adapt, learn, and find the next passage. Keep learning. Keep moving. See where the current takes you.

📣 Congratulations to all the recipients!!
Areas of study:
* 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate
* ATP CTP Airline Transport Pilot Training
* BS Geoscience
* BS Geology
* Doctor of Physical Therapy
* Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology
* EMT
* IIN, Health Coach Training Program
* MA Clinical Counseling
* MA Mental Health Counseling
* MS Water Society and Policy (NEW Jack Schmidt Award)
* NOLS WEMT
* Nursing Program
* Professional Pilot Training
* Quantitative Analysis of Markets and Organizations

WOW!! 🤯 AMAZING!! 🤩

📸 photos from GTS 2026
Sami Hawkins (Fuji film)
Joel Barnes
Sarah Morton





☀️There once was a guide late in August,Whose patience had nearly been lost.The river ran thin,But they held up their ch...
08/11/2026

☀️There once was a guide late in August,
Whose patience had nearly been lost.
The river ran thin,
But they held up their chin -
And found that asking for help had no cost.

⛈️If ‘Angry August’ has you feeling short, stretched thin, or running on empty, you’re not alone. Sometimes the bravest thing a guide can do is ask for help.

☎️ Call our helpline (877) 449-4253, leave a message, and our case manager will return your call promptly and confidently. Guides receive 10 counseling sessions per year - FREE - with our program.

🌀Since 1996, The Whale Foundation has proudly served the health and wellbeing of the Grand Canyon River guiding community.

🙏🏼Gratitude to the amazing photographers in the guiding community!
📸 by Mandela van Eeden - guide Kelly Williams rows above Black Tail Canyon in late July. From our photo archives.
Mandela Leola van Eeden (Mandy) | 🇿🇦🇺🇸




Address

P. O. Box 855
Flagstaff, AZ
86002

Website

, ,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Whale Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Whale Foundation:

Shortcuts

Share

Category