FLYIN RYAN HAWKS FOUNDATION INC

What FLYIN RYAN HAWKS FOUNDATION INC does

Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 and headquartered in Burlington, Vermont, established in memory of freeskier Ryan Hawks to advance his "Core Values Matter" philosophy. The organization operates three core programs: an online Core Values Challenge for self-discovery, the Decisions Program delivering a values-based curriculum to schools and athletic teams, and the Adventure Scholarship Program providing financial grants to adventurers pursuing goals aligned with the foundation's principles.

The foundation's business model is donation-driven, accepting contributions online, by check, and in the form of securities, supplemented by merchandise revenue routed through a retail partnership with Ski The East. Its beneficiary base spans K-12 students, school athletic teams, competitive freeskiers, and adventure-scholarship recipients, with curriculum deployment historically anchored at South Burlington High School and aligned with Vermont Act 77's flexible pathways framework. Programmatic reach is extended through partnerships with the International Freeskiers Association (IFSA), Smugglers' Notch, and Sugarbush, and through an Ambassador Program that distributes delivery beyond paid staff. The foundation is small, operating with approximately five employees and having awarded over 220 Adventure Scholarships since 2012.

Name

FLYIN RYAN HAWKS FOUNDATION INC

Legal name

FLYIN RYAN HAWKS FOUNDATION INC

Website

https://flyinryanhawks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation is a Burlington, Vermont-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers values-based education through an online Core Values Challenge, a school and athletic-team Decisions curriculum, and Adventure Scholarships for adventurers and freeskiers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Character Education and Adventure Scholarships

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAKAK

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Management & Promotion Services

SECONDARYEDALAIAN

Athletics Fundraising, Sponsorships & NIL Support

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Athletics, Recreation & Fitness

Keywords

• Nonprofit foundation
• Core values education
• Adventure scholarships
• Youth character development
• Values-based curriculum

Headquarters

HQ city

BURLINGTON, Vermont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations - Online: The foundation relies solely on donations to fund Adventure Scholarships and Core Values outreach programs. Donations are accepted online via PayPal and credit/debit cards.
2. Donations - Check/Mail: Tax-deductible donations by check sent directly to the foundation's Burlington, VT address with no fees or service charges applied.
3. Securities Donations: Donors can contribute appreciated stocks to the foundation's Schwab account. Donating appreciated shares held over one year is generally more beneficial than selling and donating cash, providing a win-win for donors and the foundation.
4. Gear/Merchandise Sales: The foundation sells Flyin Ryan branded merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, and beanies through its online store hosted by Ski The East.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates three interconnected programs centered on the Core Values Matter philosophy: the Core Values Challenge (an online self-discovery tool), the Decisions Program (a curriculum for schools and athletic teams), and the Adventure Scholarship Program (financial awards for individuals pursuing passion-driven goals). The foundation is funded primarily by donations and supplemented by branded merchandise sales.

Product overview

The Flyin Ryan Hawks Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization offering three interconnected programs centered on the Core Values Matter philosophy. The Core Values Challenge serves as the entry-point offering, providing an online self-discovery tool for individuals to identify and record their personal Core Values. The Decisions Program extends this philosophy through structured curricula for educational institutions (Decisions for Education) and athletic organizations (Decisions for Athletes and Teams). The Adventure Scholarship Program provides financial awards to individuals pursuing passionate goals aligned with Core Values. Additionally, the Core Values Ambassador Program enables trained individuals to expand community reach. The organization also operates a Gear Shop for branded merchandise. These offerings work together as a unified mission to extend Ryan Hawks' legacy by inspiring self-exploration, personal growth, and adventure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Core Values Challenge A call-to-action program that encourages individuals to discover, write down, and act upon their personal set of Core Values through an online form submission process, delivered via email. Free to participants.
• Decisions Program A deep-dive curriculum delivered in two tracks: Decisions for Education (for schools and students) and Decisions for Athletes and Teams (for athletic organizations), guiding participants through identifying and applying personal Core Values. Aligned with Vermont Act 77 Flexible Pathways initiative.
• Adventure Scholarship Program A financial award program providing monetary grants to individuals age 12+ who demonstrate financial need, embrace the Core Values Matter philosophy, and have passionate goals related to adventure and personal growth.
• Core Values Ambassador Program A community engagement program that trains individuals who have completed the Core Values Challenge to share the Core Values Matter message with others and collect Core Values from their peers, friends, and team members.
• Gear Shop An online merchandise store selling branded apparel and accessories including hoodies, t-shirts, and beanies, hosted by Ski The East, with proceeds supporting foundation programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 220+ scholarships awarded since 2012
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, gold and minor.

• Sugarbush ResortplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Vermont ski resort partner supporting the Core Values Challenge and foundation programs. Listed as a Platinum Core Values Challenge Partner with significant aggregate contributions.
• Smugglers' Notch ResortplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of the Smugglers' Notch Freeride Ski Team where the Decisions for Athletes program was piloted. Major supporter of foundation initiatives with significant contributions.
• Jersey Mike's SubsplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerRegular Flyin Ryan Days events at Jersey Mike's locations in Williston and South Burlington, VT where a portion of proceeds benefit the foundation. Sponsors Adventure Scholars including Summer Hargrave and Murphy Branche.
• International Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA)platinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IFSA has given backing to the Flyin Ryan Decisions Program for Athletes and Coaches. Many Adventure Scholars are IFSA athletes. Core Values Challenge has an affiliation option for IFSA athletes and coaches.
• Blizzard-TecnicagoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerSki equipment manufacturer partner with aggregate contributions exceeding $10,000. Listed as a Gold Partner supporting foundation mission.
• Mascoma BankplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont-based financial institution supporting the foundation as a Platinum Core Values Challenge Partner with significant contributions.
• Dragonfli Media TechnologiesgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia technology company led by Adam Comey, foundation board member. Has provided significant aggregate contributions exceeding $10,000. Eagle's Nest donor.
• Vermont Community FoundationgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional foundation supporting Vermont nonprofits with aggregate contributions exceeding $10,000. Listed as a Gold Partner.
• High Fives FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit supporting disabled athletes. Listed as a Friend of the foundation providing tangible support to the mission.
• Kelly Brush FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit supporting ski racers and adaptive athletes. Listed as a Friend of the foundation.
• Ski The EastplatinumChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts the foundation's online gear shop. Eagle's Nest donor with contributions of $10,000 or more. Key partner for merchandise sales.
• The Ski RackplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont ski and snowboard retail partner. Eagle's Nest donor with contributions of $10,000 or more.
• Outdoor Gear ExchangeplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont outdoor retailer. Hawk's Nest donor with contributions exceeding $1,000. Sponsor of Adventure Scholars including Erick Crockenberg.
• Vermont Agency FoundationplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosting Core Values Challenge events in partnership with Innovative Wellness. Hosting events both in-person and online with Peter Hawks speaking about Ryan's legacy.
• Long Trail BrewinggoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont brewery and Gold Partner with contributions exceeding $10,000. Also sponsors Adventure Scholars.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• National Ability Center: Park City, UT-based nonprofit providing adaptive sports and outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities. Comparable as an outdoor/sports-based nonprofit serving youth development through athletic programming in mountain resort communities.
• SOS Outreach: Colorado-based nonprofit using outdoor mentorship and snowboarding to build character and self-confidence in underserved youth. Comparable as a youth development foundation combining outdoor/adventure sports with values-based curriculum.
• Challenged Athletes Foundation: San Diego-based nonprofit providing grants for adaptive sports equipment, training, and competition. Comparable as an athletic-focused foundation providing financial grants to individuals pursuing sports goals, though at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Kelly Brush Foundation: Vermont-based nonprofit dedicated to ski racing safety and supporting athletes with spinal cord injuries. Direct peer: same Vermont alpine sports foundation ecosystem, named as a 'Friend' partner, and shares the injured-athlete / adaptive skiing mission overlap.
• The Chill Foundation: Burlington, VT-based nonprofit using snowboarding to reduce youth risk behavior and build self-esteem. Direct peer: same Vermont outdoor-sports-based youth development mission, similar target demographic (at-risk youth), and geographic overlap.
• High Fives Foundation: Truckee, CA-based nonprofit supporting injured action sports athletes with financial grants and resources. Direct peer: both operate as athletic-focused foundations providing financial support and community programming to extreme/adventure sports participants.

Others

• Adventure Sports Center (protect our winters PoW): Climate advocacy nonprofit mobilizing the outdoor sports community. Comparable as a nonprofit leveraging the outdoor/adventure sports community for social impact, though focused on climate advocacy rather than character development.

Broad incumbents

• Make-A-Wish Foundation: National nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Comparable as a nonprofit foundation providing grants/funding to young people pursuing personal dreams, though at vastly larger scale and with different beneficiary criteria.
• U.S. Ski and Snowboard Foundation: National governing body foundation supporting U.S. Ski Team athletes with funding and development resources. Comparable as a foundation supporting competitive skiing athlete development, though at a much larger organizational scale.

Regional players

• Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports: Vermont-based nonprofit providing adaptive sports programming for people with disabilities. Comparable as a Vermont-based outdoor sports nonprofit serving youth and adults through sport, though focused on adaptive rather than character-education programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/flyinryanhawks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FlyinRyanHawks
• Facebookfacebook.com/flyinryanhawks
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyinryanhawks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flyin-ryan-hawks-foundation-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FLYIN RYAN HAWKS FOUNDATION INC