Guides, like everyone, face challenges in their personal lives and may not know where to turn. What sets them apart, is the unique lifestyle that may affect their access to supportive services. This is where The Whale Foundation steps in. If you are in need of assistance, know someone who is, or are wanting to lend support, you are in the right place.
Our Mission
To provide support services that promote, restore, and celebrate the health and well-being of the Grand Canyon river guiding community
Our Vision
We envision a Grand Canyon guiding community where:
Guides have a stable mental, physical, and financial foundation
Both present and past guides have a functional, fulfilling, and successful life
Career advancement and transition is supported
Guides have a social safety net of services to assist them as issues arise
Support, inclusion, and respect are common practice
All people, indigenous and non-native, are passionately active and welcomed as a part of the community
Whale Foundation services are widely known and accessed
Core Values
We are deeply connected to Grand Canyon.
We are accountable to our community and work.
We recognize guiding as a legitimate and valuable profession.
We support river guiding as a way of life and promote longevity in guiding careers.
We guarantee confidentiality for the services we provide.
We exercise impartiality, consistency, and transparency in all that we do.
We respect individuality and conduct our work with integrity and tolerance.
We are committed to de-stigmatizing mental healthcare.
We honor our historical roots and the original purpose of our founding.
We adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of our community.
Banner Image: Joe Bennion | Navigation Images: John Dillon, John Blaustein, Bronze Black