↑ parent cluster · ·
research dossier →

Whale Foundation Inc

Flagstaff, AZ · EIN 860941775 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE P20 · Human Services · Small ($100K-$1M) · whalefoundation.org
revenue
$146K
expenses
$160K
net assets
$479K
employees
—
program ratio
61%
filing since
2020
mission · from form 990

see Schedule O

profile · synthesized from sources

The Whale Foundation provides confidential mental health counseling, financial guidance, health insurance assistance, and educational scholarships to professional Grand Canyon river guides and their support staff. Focused on the unique challenges of seasonal guiding work, the organization offers free, accessible services regardless of location or insurance status. Founded over 25 years ago in memory of guide Curtis "Whale" Hansen, it supports the well-being and stability of the river guiding community.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $6K
    Medical/physical health support - see Schedule O
  2. #2 $10K
    Educational support - see Schedule O
named programs · 5 · from sources

what they call their work

Counseling Services
Free, confidential mental health counseling with up to 10 cost-free sessions per year, accessible via a 24/7 helpline and available in-person or via telehealth.
Financial Health Program
Connects guides with financial advisors for no-cost consultations to support financial planning and stability.
Kenton Grua Memorial Scholarship
Offers financial support for educational goals to current or former guides pursuing post-secondary degrees or certifications at accredited institutions.
Whitney Wellness (Health Insurance Assistance Program)
Provides annual stipends of up to $900 to help current or former guides cover the cost of purchasing their own health insurance.
Whitney Wellness Health Fair
Annual free health fair at the Guide Training Seminar in Marble Canyon offering health screenings to the guiding community.
activities · 14

what they do

direct service · 11
  • Administer a Health Insurance Assistance Program
    Operates the "Whitney Wellness" Health Insurance Assistance Program (HIAP) to help Grand Canyon river guides with financial responsibilities related to health insurance by offsetting costs with an annual stipend. The program provides awards of $900 for the first award and $600 for subsequent awards, with application periods typically between September and January or February and May.
  • Annual Health Fair Free Community Health Screenings
    Hosts an annual health fair at the Guide Training Seminar (GTS) in Marble Canyon to provide free health screenings to the river community.
  • Award educational scholarships
    Administers the Kenton Grua Memorial Scholarship, awarding scholarships annually to support educational advancement for eligible individuals, with an application period from December 1st to May 15th.
  • Educational Scholarships
    Awards annual scholarships, including the Kenton Grua Memorial Scholarship, to support educational advancement for eligible individuals within the river guiding community.
  • Educational Scholarships Targeted Educational Scholarships
    Awards scholarships annually, including the Kenton Grua Memorial Scholarship, to support educational advancement for eligible individuals within the river guiding community.
  • Financial Advisory Connections Financial Planner Referral & Certification Support
    Provides connections to financial advisors for individuals seeking financial guidance.
  • Health Insurance Assistance Program (HIAP)
    Operates the "Whitney Wellness" Health Insurance Assistance Program to encourage river guides to have health insurance by offsetting costs with an annual stipend. The program provides awards of $900 for the first award and $600 for subsequent awards, with specific application periods.
  • Host annual health fairs Free Community Health Screenings
    Hosts an annual health fair at the Guide Training Seminar (GTS) in Marble Canyon and the GCRG land-based GTS to provide free health screenings to the river community.
  • Mental Health Counseling Services Domestic & Sexual Violence Crisis Support
    Provides free and confidential counseling services, including up to 10 cost-free sessions per year with a licensed provider, to the Grand Canyon river guiding community. The organization operates a helpline with case managers who connect individuals to suitable counselors within 10 days and covers the cost of services.
  • Provide financial advisory connections Financial Planner Referral & Certification Support
    Connects individuals with financial advisors for guidance.
  • Provide free and confidential counseling services Grief and Bereavement Support Services
    Offers up to 10 cost-free counseling sessions per calendar year with licensed providers to the Grand Canyon river guiding community, responding to helpline messages within 12 hours and aiming to connect individuals with a provider within 10 days. This service supports individuals facing personal and professional challenges, including grief and depression.
capacity building · 3
strategies · 20

how they think

Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.

  • Accessible health and financial support services accessible_financial_advising unique to this org
    The foundation increases access to health and financial wellness by offering no-minimum financial advising, telehealth and in-person counseling, and financial assistance for health insurance, reducing barriers for river guides.
  • Community-driven governance and volunteer engagement community-driven governance unique to this org
    The organization is guided by professionals from the river guiding community through board membership and supported operationally by volunteer committees, ensuring alignment with community needs and values.
  • Community-led governance and board engagement community-driven governance unique to this org
    The organization is governed by professionals from within the river guiding community, ensuring decisions reflect lived experience and local knowledge, with leadership and board membership rooted in community ties.
  • Community-specific mental health support for river guides community-specific mental health support unique to this org
    The organization provides free, confidential counseling services tailored specifically to the emotional and psychological needs of the Grand Canyon river guiding community, recognizing challenges such as post-season adjustment, isolation, and loss of community.
  • Community-wide well-being promotion and celebration community support unique to this org
    Engages in broad efforts to promote, restore, and celebrate the overall health and well-being of the river guiding community through integrated services and public recognition.
  • Comprehensive community well-being support community support unique to this org
    The foundation promotes, restores, and celebrates the health and well-being of the river guiding community through integrated services that address mental, physical, emotional, and financial needs.
  • Entry-point support for personal healing journeys journey-based support unique to this org
    Positions the foundation as an accessible starting point for individuals seeking personal healing and transformation, offering compassionate, confidential, and holistic services that meet people where they are.
  • Financial and health access support for guides accessible_financial_advising unique to this org
    Improves access to health and financial wellness by offering a health insurance stipend to reduce cost barriers and providing financial advising without investment minimums, enabling greater participation and stability for river guides.
  • Financial and health access support for seasonal workers seasonal-worker-support unique to this org
    Addresses the economic instability and healthcare access barriers of seasonal river guides through financial advising without investment minimums, health insurance stipends, and integrated health screenings at professional events.
  • Guide-based storytelling for environmental connection guide-based storytelling unique to this org
    Firsthand experiences of river guides in specific natural locations are used to foster audience connection with river environments, leveraging authentic narratives for engagement and education.
  • Journey-based personal healing and transformation journey-based support unique to this org
    The organization positions itself as an entry point for individuals beginning personal healing and transformation, offering compassionate, holistic, and confidential support services.
  • Journey-centered personal support framework journey-based support unique to this org
    Positions the foundation as a supportive entry point for individuals beginning personal healing and transformation, emphasizing compassion and long-term well-being.
  • Legacy-based education and storytelling programs legacy-based educational support unique to this org
    Uses Kenton Grua’s legacy to inspire scholarships focused on lifelong learning and innovation, while leveraging firsthand guide narratives from specific natural settings to foster environmental connection and community identity.
  • Legacy-based educational and storytelling programming guide-based storytelling unique to this org
    Uses Kenton Grua’s legacy to inspire scholarships focused on lifelong learning and innovation, while leveraging firsthand guide narratives in natural settings to foster environmental connection and community storytelling.
  • Legacy-based educational support through scholarships legacy-based educational support unique to this org
    Scholarships are offered in honor of Kenton Grua’s legacy, promoting lifelong learning, innovation, and teaching within the river guiding community.
  • Seasonal and holistic well-being support model seasonal-worker-support unique to this org
    Addresses the cyclical challenges of seasonal employment through comprehensive support that includes health screenings at key professional events and holistic services covering emotional, financial, and physical well-being.
  • Tailored mental health support for river guides community-specific mental health support unique to this org
    Provides free, confidential, and accessible mental health counseling specifically designed for the Grand Canyon river guiding community, addressing challenges such as post-season adjustment, isolation, trauma, grief, anxiety, and substance abuse through both telehealth and in-person services.
  • Tailored mental health support for river guides community-specific mental health support unique to this org
    Provides free, confidential, and accessible counseling services specifically designed for the Grand Canyon river guiding community, addressing challenges such as post-season adjustment, isolation, trauma, grief, and substance abuse through both telehealth and in-person modalities.
  • Volunteer and committee-based operational model committee-based volunteer model unique to this org
    Relies on volunteer committees to manage and deliver programming and organizational functions, enabling community ownership and scalable support structures.
  • Volunteer committee operational model committee-based volunteer model unique to this org
    Relies on volunteer committees to carry out organizational functions and program delivery, enabling community ownership and scalable operations.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$146K
Contributions & grants$123K85%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$6K4%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$160K
Program expenses61%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising22%
Salaries & benefits$36K
Grants paid out$19K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$488K
Cash$174K
Investments$332K
Liabilities$13K
Net assets$479K
Liquid reserves37.8 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -13.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 12
  • Aimee Backus from 11-1-22 — Director
  • Dan Fredrickson ending 10-31-22 — Director
  • Delaney Cook — Director
  • Heidi Brouelette from 12-1-22 — Director
  • Jason Peak from 11-1-22 — Director
  • Kate Stanley — Director
  • Morgan Louvier from 11-1-22 — Director
  • Rachel Unger — Director
  • Sara Larsen — Director
  • Steve Kenney — Director
  • TJ Gloeckler ending 11-30-22 — Director
  • West Howland — Director
relationships · 4

who they work with

  • Dwyer Financial Partner — Partner firm providing financial advisors connected through Whale Foundation.
  • GCRG Partner — Hosts the Whale Foundation Health Fair at the annual GCRG land-based GTS.
  • Grand Canyon River Guides Partner — Hosts the Guide Training Seminar where the Whale Foundation's health fair is held.
  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Partner — Refers individuals in crisis to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.