$8,544 raised by 29 donors
57% complete
$15,000 Goal
"The week I spent with TKEF was such an amazing experience! It is great to know I have a community of strong, like-minded women who have worn the uniform whom I can call friends! I have to admit, I did have some anxiety the night before the clinic, mainly because I knew that I would be stepping out of my comfort zone for an extended amount of time. However, the ladies and I bonded as soon as we met one another in the airport, so I knew everything was going to be okay. I returned home inspired, hauling awesome equipment, with a heart full of gratitude and a bunch of new friends - what more can I ask for?"- Antoinette 2025 Women Veteran Snowboarding Clinic
"This was one of the best experiences of my life. It was the first time getting to rock climb and I got to hang out with people like me. This has opened my eyes to a whole new world and I am so grateful for the experience. One of the biggest takeaways from the clinic is that I am not alone in the challenges I have faced being an amputee." Christopher 2024 Amputee Rock Climbing
"I thought going into the WVSC that I might meet a few other women like me and learn a cool new sport. I was right, but I was also so very wrong. I now have an incredible support system, a sport I can continue for a lifetime, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. There are simply no words to describe how much I didn't know I needed this week on this mountain with these people. Healing happens here."-Alley 2024 Women Veteran Snowboarding Clinic
"The Kirstie Ennis Foundation offered me some of the most generous and heartfelt support that I've received as an amputee. I was really moved by their authenticity and the healing that comes from being part of a group in the outdoors trying something new."-Rachel 2022 Amputee Rock Climbing Clinic
"TKEF went above and beyond to create an all inclusive mountain biking experience. It provided a safe and secure environment to allow me to be myself. I felt heard and challenged throughout the duration of the clinic. I struggle daily with my own self worth, but Kirstie and her team assured me that I deserve to be here. The mountain bike clinic brought out the joyous inner child of me and I truly did not stop smiling until we had to pack up and leave." -Justin 2022 Veteran MTB Clinic
"The clinic allowed us a safe place and a worry free environment. The talks that we shared helped me feel parts of my missing piece. It was a release for me because I hadn’t been able to share some of those things ever before, and having women support me without questions or judgement was cleansing. TKEFs WVSC brought me Peace. The coordination efforts and all of the accommodations truly made the experience relaxing and rewarding. Every detail was planned out and executed with care. One thing that stands out for me, post clinic, is community. For me I feel as though I can see my community all around me a lot clearer. Keeping my focus on what I do have, rather than what I don’t. I am thankful for everyone and every moment of this trip. Thank you all so much, you are changing lives!"-Sam 2022 Women Veteran Snowboarding Clinic
"TKEF is such a great organization. They help and give what a lot of times people with disabilities, like myself are often shunned from and that is opportunities. The opportunity to experience recreational sports and the outdoors. They are truly dedicated and devoted, making those unique opportunities possible along with the support of donors. I was very fortunate to be a part of one of the clinics, thanks to those who made it possible. I am very grateful for this. From this opportunity I have gained confidence in myself. Learning about my potential and capabilities. Thank you TKEF for being so welcoming. your support, encouraging me, your kindness, caring and so much more. It means so much to me. My time there will forever be memorable, unforgettable and special to me."-Kevin 2021 Individual Outdoor Recreation Clinic
"It is difficult to put into words how much this clinic meant to me. The ability to take five days from my busy life and go hang out with fellow female vets and not have a care in the world was amazing. I love snowboarding and had gone a couple of times before the clinic, but the gear is expensive, so the sport was out of reach for me. This clinic changed all that. I can now pick up and go boarding any time I want, which is such a dream. Aside from getting out in the snow and having a blast, it was the relationships I made during the clinic that had a lasting impact. I can't thank Kirstie Ennis, TKEF, all the various sponsors and supporters, and the other females in the clinic enough. I have made forever friendships, have access to a whole new sport, and am boldly pursuing the life I want and deserve. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so excited to be on this new path and can't wait to see where it takes me."-Andi 2021 Women Veteran Snowboarding Clinic
The Kirstie Ennis Foundation’s mission is to inspire individuals to stubbornly climb the mountain in front of them. We aim to show the world that we control our circumstances, they don’t control us.
At The Kirstie Ennis Foundation, we:
– Provide education, opportunity, and healing in the outdoors through our recreational therapy clinics and expeditions
– Introduce new and recycled medical device technology to underserved communities around the world
– Partner with organizations with similar missions of improving the quality of life of individuals through mobility
TKEF is a small, but mighty nonprofit who puts our whole heart into providing recreational therapy to improve the lives of veterans and amputees. Your donation makes a big impact as 93 cents of every dollar donated goes directly into programming, because we are an all-volunteer organization.
We believe true healing happens outside the four walls of a hospital and aim to get more people upright, mobile, and outdoors. We do this by sponsoring adaptive athletes and veterans to climb some of the highest mountains, offering unique adaptive opportunities like Sit-Ski and Off-Road adventures, and hold seasonal group clinics throughout the year, including Women Veteran Snowboarding and Amputee and Veteran Rock Climbing.
With each clinic, we provide an all expense paid trip to the beautiful Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado and several days of instruction in a specific outdoor recreation. Every TKEF clinic participant is gifted new gear to continue their healing journey in the outdoors.
TKEF is unique, because we are building a family within the foundation and connect all of our past and present participants to build a network of support across the country.
Your support helps us remind those who need it most, to keep climbing.
We are a 501(c)3 that was built to inspire perseverance and encourage potential in every body regardless of adversity.
Kirstie Ennis is an incredible example of that, after joining the Marine Corps to serve others, she was injured when her helicopter crashed on her second deployment to Afghanistan and she was forced into medical retirement. After struggling through over 40 surgeries, including an amputation, she was in search of a way to be of service again.
In the early stages of her recovery, Kirstie relied heavily on outdoor therapy to get her life back. Thanks to the outdoors Kirstie does more now on one leg, than she ever dreamed of doing on two. She developed the goal to share outdoor recreational therapy with underserved communities and started holding group and individual clinics. Kirstie wants to provide opportunity in the outdoors, and ultimately opportunity for the rest of peoples lives. The possibilities in the outdoors are endless.
To date, we have served 220 individuals by providing outdoor recreation opportunities through sponsorship, group and individual clinics.
Organization name
The Kirstie Ennis Foundation
2018
Tax id (EIN)
83-1189260
Category
Recreation & Sports
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
5032 CR-154Mailing
PO Box 2182Headquarters
5032 CR-154Garfield County, CO, US