NOLS Founders Day 2026

384
Donors
85% of 450 Donor goal
$278,285
Donated
4Days
Remaining
This campaign ends on June 9 at 01:59AM EDT
Updates
T-4 Days - Live Streaming from NOLS campuses on Monday, Founders Day!

Look forward to TWO social media livestreams from our NOLS Campus directors on Monday, 6/8. 

-Rocky Mountain Campus at 9:45 am MT 

-Alaska Campus at 1:15 pm MT

And a special message from NOLS President Sandy Colhoun.

Today by TJ Hillinger
Founders Day 2026 - The Impact of NOLS Wilderness Medicine

Check out our newest student testimonial focusing on our WEMT course offering! Your donation matters!

1 day ago by TJ Hillinger
About

Elevating the Leader for Over 60 Years.

On June 8, 2026, we celebrate our 61st Founders Day, marking the moment in 1965 when Paul Petzoldt and a team of instructors led the first students into Wyoming’s Wind River Range with a bold vision: leadership is learned through experience.

Over 60 years later, that vision still drives us.

Today, more students are ready for that experience, but not all have access. We’re proud to launch our fourth annual Founders Day Campaign—an ambitious effort to fuel the future of NOLS. Your gift to our 2026 Founders Day Campaign helps a student take that first step. Your support can help equip a student for the field, support critical instruction in wilderness medicine, and can help fund a 30-day course, the core of our curriculum — along with all of our life-changing work. Every gift opens the door to transformative experiences.

Right now, your impact goes even further: a generous partner will match all Founders Day contributions dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact of your gift and the opportunities you make possible.

Join us in honoring #NolsFoundersDay.

Make a gift. Share your NOLS story. Help us write the next chapter.

Decade Challenge
Decades Challenge
DonorsDonorsRaised ($)
1990s Decade (1990 - 1999)27$11,120
2010s Decade (2010 - 2019)11$2,025
1970s Decade (1970 - 1979)15$12,250
Future NOLS Grad!1$50
2000s Decade (2000 - 2009)13$4,580
2020s Decade (2020-2026)11$2,095
1980s Decade (1980 - 1989)14$7,800
1960s Decade (1965 - 1969)1$100
Donor Affiliations
Book icon9%Programs
Gradhat icon22%Course Years
Friends icon13%Campus Locations
Gradhat icon10%First-Time Donors
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