Our Story

The Denali Foundation's mission is to support young artists by providing free art supplies to underserved communities. We collaborate with teachers, organizers, and emerging artists to fulfill specific supply requests, ensuring that creativity is accessible to all. Additionally, in partnership with the Saraf Foundation, we are a founding member of the Sagarmatha Next Facility & Sustainable Park in Nepal, fostering international artistic exchange through an artist-in-residence program while promoting ecological sustainability through upcycling and education. In 2025, the Denali Foundation became the fiscal sponsor of Sequoia Children’s Center, a small arts-based preschool in the heart of Twin Falls, Idaho. The town of Twin Falls has limited resources for high-quality, arts-based education. To help address this gap, Sequoia Children’s Center opened its doors in 2025 to 35 local families, including low-income and foster children.

The Denali Foundation was founded in 2015 to honor the memory of Denali Schmidt. Born in Australia in 1988, Denali grew up primarily in New Zealand with his parents, Marty and Joanne, and his sister, Sequoia.

From a young age, Denali had a passion for drawing and painting - it was rare to find him without his sketchbook. In addition to his love for art, he was a bold adventurer, much like his father, the renowned mountaineer Marty Schmidt. Winters were spent skiing off large cliffs, while summers were devoted to rock climbing, body surfing and anything outdoors.

Denali’s adventurous spirit took him to the United States, where he served on the Ski Patrol in Bear Valley, California, after high school. His artistic passion later led him to the prestigious California College of the Arts, where he studied in the Painting Department and graduated at the top of his class.

Tragically, just two months after graduation, Denali and his father lost their lives in an avalanche while climbing K2 in Pakistan. This heartbreaking loss inspired his sister Sequoia to create the Denali Foundation, dedicated to preserving his legacy and inspiring future generations of artists.

Denali Foundation is a nonprofit corporation and shall be operated exclusively for artistic, educational, and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the corresponding section of any future Federal tax code.

Denali Foundation's purpose includes the preservation of the artwork of Denali Schmidt and the ongoing support for the expansion of the minds of young artists. Current and past programs for the Denali Foundation include, but are not limited to; exhibitions of the artwork of Denali Schmidt and artistic preservation of the name and lifestyle of freedom led by the young artist Denali Schmidt (the Peak Inspirations traveling art exhibit). Sponsorship and creation of artistic + educational facilities around the world (Sagarmatha Next in Nepal, Sequoia Children’s center is Idaho, USA). Scholarship programs set up in the name of Denali Schmidt so that young artists may experience life adventures and are encouraged to creatively express those adventures through their art (CCA Denali Scholarship Fund). Art supplies provided free of charge to underserved communities (Refugee camps in Haiti, Greece, orphanages in Mexico).

Our future programs will include sending out ambassadors to provide art supplies and instructional programs related to artistic creation on a local and global level, and to hold fundraising events in order to provide supplies and assistance to those schools and communities unable to afford the funding for their young generation to express themselves through art, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or religion. 

To maximize our impact on current efforts, we may seek to collaborate with other nonprofit organizations which fall under the 501(c)(3) section of the internal revenue code and are operated exclusively for educational and charitable purposes. At times, per the discretion of the board of directors, we may provide internships or volunteer opportunities which shall provide opportunities for involvement in said activities and programs in order to have a greater impact for change.