The Chill Foundation
The Chill Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1995 by Burton Snowboards' founders that delivers free snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and SUP programs to youth ages 11-19 across 20 cities in 9 countries, funded through donations and corporate partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersBurlington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Chill Foundation does
The Chill Foundation is a 501c3 public charity founded in 1995 by Jake and Donna Carpenter of Burton Snowboards and headquartered in Burlington, Vermont. The organization delivers free boardsports-based youth development programs — snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding — to young people ages 11-19, with 70%+ of North American participants identifying as BIPOC and 47% as women/girls. Programs are delivered at no cost to participants, with all equipment, instruction, transportation, lift tickets, and venue access covered through donations and corporate partnerships. Chill reports having served more than 30,000 youth globally since founding, with 3,201 youth participating across 709 program days in the most recent reporting year.
The organization's core offering is a trauma-informed, experiential learning methodology grounded in Positive Youth Development best practices and a proprietary Six Core Values curriculum (respect, courage, patience, persistence, responsibility, pride). Each program day centers on a single value with targeted lessons, reflection exercises, and boardsports activities. Chill Evolution is layered on top as an advanced leadership and outdoor-industry career-pathway program for engaged alumni. Programs operate through a hub-and-spoke delivery model with regional Program & Community Coordinators, youth-agency referral partnerships, resort/facility venue partners (Woodward, LAAX, Vail Resorts-affiliated mountains, Burton), and adaptive programming through Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports for participants with disabilities.
The revenue model is fully donation-dependent. There is no fee charged to participants; operating support is sourced from individual donations, corporate partnerships (Burton, KeyBank, Infor, Vail Epic Promise, Taco Bell Foundation, Gore, BOA, Bombas, Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Share Winter Foundation, Kodiak Cakes, Pro-Tec, Brooklyn Clothing, and others), and event-based fundraising (golf tournaments, Burton giving campaigns, Red Bull Slide-In Tour tie-ins). Chill expanded from a private foundation to a public charity in May 2019 and operates across 20 cities in 9 countries — the United States, Canada, Austria, Australia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Switzerland — with Ben Clark serving as Global CEO since September 2021.
The Chill Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Chill Foundation
- Legal name
- Chill Foundation
- Website
- https://chill.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Chill Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit founded in 1995 by Burton Snowboards' founders that delivers free snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and SUP programs to youth ages 11-19 across 20 cities in 9 countries, funded through donations and corporate partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Chill Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Services (Nonprofit Boardsports Programs)
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)
Keywords
Where The Chill Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices20 records
Markets served
The Chill Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Chill relies on generous donations from individuals to fund programs. All costs are covered for youth participants, including equipment, instruction, transportation, lift tickets, and venue access.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial support, event sponsorship, employee donation matching, workplace visits, employee volunteering, and entry-level job or internship opportunities for alumni.
- Event Fundraising: Annual fundraising events including golf tournaments and partnerships with Burton for giving campaigns (e.g., five-day giving campaign with Burton raising funds for expanded programming).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Free youth programs - all costs covered |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
The Chill Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Chill Foundation delivers free, trauma-informed, boardsport-based youth development programs (snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding) for youth ages 11-19 across 20 cities in 9 countries. Each program combines on-snow/on-board instruction with a six-core-values curriculum and experiential learning cycle to build resiliency, leadership, and belonging. All associated costs—equipment, instruction, transportation, lift tickets, venue access, and meals—are covered at no cost to participants through donations and corporate partnerships.
Product overview
The Chill Foundation offers a unified nonprofit youth development program portfolio centered on boardsports. The core offerings consist of four distinct boardsport programs—Snowboard, Skateboard, Surf, and SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard)—each delivering experiential learning paired with a six-value curriculum (respect, courage, patience, persistence, responsibility, pride). All programs serve youth ages 11-19 at no cost and are grounded in Positive Youth Development best practices. Chill Evolution serves as an advanced add-on for alumni, providing leadership skills and career pathway opportunities. The programs operate through a hub-and-spoke model with regional coordinators, local agency partnerships, and boardsport facility collaborations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Snowboard Program Trauma-informed snowboarding instruction for youth ages 11-19, combining experiential learning with boardsport lessons, six-core-value curriculum (respect, courage, patience, persistence, responsibility, pride), and mentorship to build resiliency and personal growth. Delivered free of charge at partner ski resorts across the US, Canada, Switzerland, Austria, and Japan.
- Skateboard Program Year-round skateboarding instruction providing accessibility, community engagement, and personal accomplishment through progressive skill development and mentorship. Includes an adaptive skateboarding track served through a partnership with Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports for youth with disabilities ages 10-18, and the Chicago youth skateboarding program supported through DGK/Virgil Abloh.
- Surf Program Ocean-based surfing instruction combining paddling, wave catching, and standing techniques with the six-core-value youth development curriculum focused on challenge and achievement. Delivered through partner surf schools for youth ages 11-19 at no cost.
- SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Program Stand-up paddleboarding instruction offering balance, strength, and adventure opportunities, enabling youth to explore water environments while building confidence through the Chill curriculum.
- Chill Evolution Advanced programming initiative providing Chill alumni with leadership development, progression opportunities, advanced boardsport coaching, and career exploration pathways in the outdoor industry.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30,000+ youth served globally since 1995
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Chill Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Chill Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Chill Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- WoodwardcoreGlobal action sports experience provider partnering to award 20 Chill participants scholarships to weeklong summer skateboarding camp experiences at Woodward West and Woodward Pennsylvania. Includes new complete skateboard and helmet for each recipient.
- Kikori AppsupportingEd tech startup providing curated team-building activities, icebreakers, energizers, and reflection exercises for youth development. Integration with Chill programs across 18 locations in US, Canada, Italy, and Switzerland.
- DGK (Dirty Ghetto Kids)supportingSkateboarding company partnership with Virgil Abloh for Chicago youth skateboarding program launch, including skateboard donations to Boys & Girls Club Chicago.
- Vermont Adaptive Ski and SportscoreCollaboration to provide adaptive skateboarding programs for people with disabilities. Joint program consists of three sessions with specialized instruction for participants with developmental or cognitive disabilities ages 10-18.
- Burton SnowboardscoreFounding partner and parent organization. Founded by Jake and Donna Carpenter of Burton Snowboards in 1995. Burton provides equipment, clothing, and ongoing strategic support. Donna Carpenter serves as founder and board member.
- KeyBanksupportingCorporate partner providing financial support for Chill programs across North America.
- InforsupportingCorporate partner supporting Chill Foundation programs.
- BOAsupportingCorporate partner supporting Chill Foundation programming.
- GoresupportingCorporate partner supporting Chill Foundation programs.
- Vail Epic PromisesupportingVail Resorts employee foundation and community program partner supporting Chill programs.
- Canadian Tire JumpstartsupportingCanadian charitable organization providing funding for youth sports programs, partnering with Chill Canada.
- SingleThread FarmssupportingCorporate partner supporting Chill Foundation.
- Protect Our Winters (POW)supportingNonprofit environmental organization working to mobilize outdoor sports community on climate issues, partnership to advance shared mission of outdoor equity and accessibility.
- LAAX (Switzerland)coreSwiss resort providing snowboard instructors, material, food, and venue access for Chill Switzerland programs serving youth refugees and local youth.
- Red BullsupportingRed Bull athlete team members participate in diversity and accessibility initiatives with Chill, including Red Bull Slide-In Tour at Copper Mountain.
- Kelly ClarksupportingSnowboarding legend and Chill National Partner providing ambassador support and mentorship to Chill participants.
- Taco Bell FoundationsupportingCorporate partner supporting Chill Foundation youth programs.
- Brooklyn ClothingsupportingCorporate partner supporting Chill Foundation.
- Pro-TecsupportingProtective gear partner providing safety equipment for Chill participants.
- BombassupportingSock company providing product donations for Chill participants.
- Share Winter FoundationsupportingFoundation partner supporting winter sports access and Chill programs.
- Kodiak CakessupportingFood partner supporting Chill Foundation with product donations.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Chill Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The First Tee: Youth development nonprofit using golf instruction to teach life skills and character values to young people. Closely parallels Chill's sports-as-youth-development model, with a similarly structured values-based curriculum and broad geographic programming footprint.
- The Skatepark Project (formerly Tony Hawk Foundation): Nonprofit focused on increasing access to skateboarding through skatepark construction and youth programming. Shares Chill's boardsports-youth-development positioning and Burton-adjacent industry relationships, with similar focus on financial and geographic accessibility for underserved communities.
- YMCA of the USA: Community-based nonprofit providing youth programs, including outdoor and recreational activities. Chill explicitly lists YMCA as a partner agency in its Boston/Manchester region and shares the broad youth-development-via-recreation positioning.
- SOS Outreach: National nonprofit that uses outdoor experiences (snowboarding, skiing, rock climbing, hiking) combined with adult mentorship to support underserved youth. Directly comparable to Chill in mission (positive youth development via action sports), funding model (donor-funded), and participant demographic focus (underserved youth).
- Share Winter Foundation: Nonprofit funding winter sports programs for underserved youth. Directly comparable to Chill as a winter-sports-access nonprofit serving similar demographics, and Chill lists Share Winter as an active foundation partner, making them both collaborators and peers.
- Level Field Fund: Nonprofit providing financial grants to underrepresented athletes in action sports, including snowboarding and skateboarding. Highly comparable to Chill's mission of removing financial barriers to boardsports participation for underserved youth, with similar industry brand partnerships.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Largest youth development nonprofit in the US, providing after-school programming for underserved youth. Chill partners directly with many Boys & Girls Club chapters (e.g., Chicago), making BGCA both a referral pipeline and a comparable youth development nonprofit serving similar demographics.
Others
- Protect Our Winters (POW): Nonprofit mobilizing the outdoor sports community on climate action. Chill explicitly lists POW as a strategic partner and shares the boardsports community as a key stakeholder base, making POW a mission-aligned ecosystem peer rather than a direct service competitor.
Broad incumbents
- National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Nonprofit outdoor education provider offering wilderness expeditions for youth and adults. Comparable to Chill as an outdoor-focused youth development organization, though operating at a more intensive/technical outdoor-expedition scale versus Chill's boardsports instruction model.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: One of the oldest and largest youth-mentoring nonprofits in the US, focused on at-risk youth outcomes through adult volunteer mentorship. Comparable to Chill as a mission-aligned youth development nonprofit serving overlapping demographics through structured adult engagement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Chill Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceThe Chill Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Chill Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Chill Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Chill Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Chill Foundation
What does The Chill Foundation do?
The Chill Foundation delivers free, trauma-informed, boardsport-based youth development programs (snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and stand-up paddleboarding) for youth ages 11-19 across 20 cities in 9 countries. Each program combines on-snow/on-board instruction with a six-core-values curriculum and experiential learning cycle to build resiliency, leadership, and belonging. All associated costs—equipment, instruction, transportation, lift tickets, venue access, and meals—are covered at no cost to participants through donations and corporate partnerships.
Is The Chill Foundation a public or private company?
The Chill Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Chill Foundation founded?
The Chill Foundation was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Chill Foundation based?
The Chill Foundation is headquartered in Burlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Chill Foundation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and event Fundraising.
Who are The Chill Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The First Tee, The Skatepark Project (formerly Tony Hawk Foundation), YMCA of the USA, SOS Outreach, Share Winter Foundation, Level Field Fund and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Protect Our Winters (POW) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Does The Chill Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Chill Foundation.
What industry is The Chill Foundation in?
The Chill Foundation's product category is Youth Development Services (Nonprofit Boardsports Programs). Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAJ, Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 8200.