A Moment for Connection

~ For the Wild Ones ~

Cloud taught us that wildness is more than a landscape — it’s a way of being. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with UK educator and horse advocate Maria Wolfkin, whose work helps people transform their relationship and connect more deeply with horses (and themselves) through what she calls Wild Well-Being.

Maria’s “Being Horse” approach invites us to listen differently, breathe differently, and understand horses from the inside out.

Join us for this free Giving Tuesday webinar on Dec. 2, where Maria will share her story and lead a live conversation about this powerful work.

ABOUT MARIA

 Maria Wolfkin is a transformative facilitator, educator, and advocate for human and animal well-being. With a lifelong passion for bridging the worlds of people and animals, her work centers on fostering radical mental well-being and deepening the connection between humans and their animal kin. She is the founder of Sentience Revolution, a movement dedicated to restoring harmony and balance among all living beings through psychological healing and interspecies understanding.

Through her trademark Virtuous Circle of Education and Impact, Maria empowers individuals to listen to the voices of animals while reclaiming their own sense of wild well-being. Her teachings offer a rare window into the tranquil, interconnected lives of other animals, leaving a lasting impression on all who take part.

Maria’s sessions are often described as both fascinating and transformative, opening participants to new ways of learning and communication—even for those who arrive sceptical of spiritual or intuitive approaches. She is especially impactful in helping people understand the peaceful, relational world of horses and other animals, fostering a deep sense of tranquility, respect, and mutual awareness.

Her mission is simple and profound: to help humans hear the voices of animals — and to rediscover the wild well-being that belongs to us all.

ABOUT “Being Horse: Hearing the Voices of Animals”
& Rediscovering Your Wild Well-Being

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

• 12:00 pm MST

• Live on Zoom

• Free to attend

This special hour is our gift to you — a way to gather, reflect, and reconnect through Cloud’s legacy as we enter the season of giving. Please feel free to share this webinar with your friends and family who may be interested.

Can’t attend? Register, and we will send you the recording of this event.

Click the BUTTON below to register for this Wild Wellbeing webinar!

Giving Tuesday -- the biggest SINGLE day for giving to charities -- is today!

But Giving Tuesday is not just about donations.  

It's a global movement and a reminder to GIVE - not just money but time, a voice, compassion, empathy... And this year - we have something for YOU! 

On Tuesday, December 2, we invite you to join The Cloud Foundation for a very special Giving Tuesday experience — a free, interactive session with Maria Wolfkin, whose life’s work has been inspired by Cloud himself.

Giving Tuesday is a day of generosity, connection, and community. What better way to honor it than by learning together, reconnecting with the wild within, and supporting Cloud’s living legacy?

Of course, any gift made helps us: 

• Protect Cloud’s herd and America’s wild horses

• Defend against harmful management policies

• Promote science-based, humane solutions

• Educate and inspire through powerful programs

We operate on a lean budget, but your support keeps us strong, determined, and effective. Thank you for standing with us — today, tomorrow, and every day. We hope to see you on our Wild Well-Being Webinar!

 ~The Cloud Foundation team

Join us Tuesday - Dec. 2 - 12:00 PM MST via Zoom

SAVE THE DATE! Tickets on Sale August 1st.
Celebrate 20+ Years of TCF and 30 Years of Cloud at our Born to Be Wild Celebration and Fundraising Gala!

Mustangs, Burros, Family, Friends, Food & Fun for a Cause!

Join us for The Cloud Foundation’s annual celebration and fundraising gala!

Join us at the world-famous Flying W Ranch for TCF’s BORN TO BE WILD Gala, celebrating 20 years of dedicated work to keep wild horses and burros wild and free on public lands. This annual fundraising event supports our mission through public awareness, education, media, direct advocacy, and legal action.

During this event, you will meet our celebrity mustangs— Cloud’s Family will be there - along with other formerly wild ones from HMAs across the American West. You will also meet celebrity humans, like actor Adam Bartley (honorary TCF Board Member), who portrayed “the Ferg” on the hit TV series, “Longmire” and was also on “This Is Us.”

After spending time with our mustang and burro friends, we invite you to come and enjoy a delicious chuckwagon dinner with fellow Cloud Foundation advocates — including TCF founder & Emmy award-winning filmmaker, Ginger Kathrens. After dinner, we will enjoy brief presentations from Ginger and TCF Executive Director, Kerry Ferguson, and Adam Bartley. Then, we’ll kick up our heels and dance to a high-energy performance from The Flying W Wranglers!

Every dollar raised at this event helps us keep wild horse families in the wild, where they belong. Join us for a night you’ll never forget at the beautiful and historic Flying W Ranch.

Put this event in your calendar, get your tickets, and/or become an event sponsor in The Cloud Foundation Store today!

4:30 - Meet & Greet Formerly Wild Mustangs & Burros - Meet, greet, and have photos taken with some beautiful mustang ambassadors! Don’t forget to visit the Mustang Kissing Booth!

4:30 Silent Auction Bidding Opens - Bid on a wide variety of items and experiences in our silent auction!

4:30 - Youth Activities - Take part in Arts & Crafts, Games (Hobby Horse Obstacle Course)!

4:45 -5:45 Opening Ceremony and Parade of Mustangs & Burros!
Join us in the Flying W Arena, where the Kit Carson Riding Club Drill Team will kick off our Wild Celebration with a precision drill performance on horseback, followed by a Parade of Mustangs and Burros! Meet and learn about formerly wild horses and burros from a variety of Herd Management Areas across the West, and see what-all the American Mustang (& Burro!) can do!

6:00 - Supper Time - Enjoy a delicious chuckwagon dinner prepared and served by the Flying W Team! 
          * Vegetarian options available!

6:45 - Presentations: Key Notes, Golden Phoenix Award, Live Auction

8:00 - Silent, Table, and Live Auctions End - Please give our team some time to gather your auction items so we can assist you with checkout. 

8:15: Entertainment: The Flying W Wranglers Power Show and DANCING

9:45 - Happy Trails!

🏨 HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS

Joining us from out of town? Why not stay a while! There are many wonderful hotels available to make your visit to Colorado Springs comfy!

We are delighted to partner once more with our friends at TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Colorado Springs, who will serve as our host hotel.

Our rate is 109.00 USD per night -
Last Day to Book: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Book your group rate for Cloud Foundation

TownePlace Suites
4760 Centennial Blvd
Colorado Springs, Colorado
80919

Strong, steady, and endlessly charming, mules are the unsung heroes of the equine world. Bred for their intelligence, surefootedness, and endurance, these remarkable animals have carried supplies across rugged mountain passes, worked fields and farms, and even served our country in times of war.

While you won’t find herds of wild mules, these surefooted hybrids have a long history on America’s public lands, often working alongside their wild burro relatives. They remind us of the resilience and adaptability that come when two worlds meet.

💛 Ways to Celebrate National Mule Day:

• 📸 Share your favorite mule photo or story with us—we’d love to feature it!

• 🐴 Learn more about the history of mules and their connection to wild burros.

• 🌎 Support efforts to keep wild burros (and the occasional wild mule) free on our public lands.

Let’s give a big bray of thanks to these loyal, hardworking, and lovable long-ears!

🧑‍🏫 “Mule Wisdom”

• “When the trail gets rocky, slow and steady wins.”

• “Sometimes being stubborn just means knowing your worth.”

• “A little long-ears humor goes a long way.” 😆

🔍 Fun Fact

Even though most mules are sterile, there are extremely rare documented cases of female mules (mollies) giving birth. But it’s so uncommon that it’s not a meaningful factor for wild populations.

NATIONAL HELP A HORSE DAY

On April 26th each year, National Help a Horse Day encourages horse lovers and advocates to join forces and protect abused and neglected horses. The day raises awareness of the need for horse sanctuaries and rescues. 

#NationalHelpAHorseDay

In the United States, the horse holds legendary status. Despite that, many go unwanted, abused, or neglected. This day strives to address those issues by drawing attention to organizations that support horse rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption. TCF is not a sanctuary, but on a limited basis does step in to offer shelter and veterinary care for formerly wild horses that are in need of a new home or rescue from slaughter.

Currently, TCF has two, almost 2-year-old, Wind River Reservation fillies ready for their forever families! Formerly wild, Dove and Juniper were rounded up and removed from the reservation—along with 6500+ other wild horses. They ended up in a Colorado kill pen where they were separated from their mothers (who were sent to slaughter) and then purchased by TCF. We took 6 foals and one mare (Grace, who didn’t fit on the slaughter-bound truck). The other foals are in their forever homes. <3

It’s World Wildlife Day!

Join Kristen Kolenda (and the TCF team!) for a gentle online yoga class aimed at horse lovers and equestrians with all class fees benefiting The Cloud Foundation!

When: March 3, 2024 @ 12 pm Eastern

Where: Virtually in your own home! (Thank you Zoom!)

How: Visit Kristen Kolenda Yoga to purchase your Class Card.

Cost: Show your support with the suggested class donation of $20 or Pay-What-You-Wish.

Who: You don't have to be an equestrian, experienced with yoga (this will be "an easy like Sunday morning" kinda class), tech-savvy, or wealthy to join.  You just need compassion for our wild horses and burros. 

ABOUT KRISTEN:
Kristen is an animal, yoga, pierogi lover and Yoga Therapist with over 13 years of experience teaching yoga as therapy. She has spent her career acquiring knowledge to bring you the most up-to-date and informed techniques for your health and well-being through group and 1:1 classes. 

Outside of her private practice she is a mental health and yoga researcher and teaches yoga in clinical settings.
 

Giving Tuesday began in 2012 to unleash the power of generosity, change the world, and inspire people to do good. It is the most important SINGLE day for non-profits to fundraise in support of support their missions.

As part of The Cloud Foundation community, we know you "do good" all the time. When we call upon you to stand up for our wild ones, you stand. We want you to know just how much we appreciate and are thankful for you.

The Cloud Foundation will continue our advocacy to DOCUMENT, EDUCATE, LEGISLATE, and bring LEGAL ACTION to restore the original intent of the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. Dwindling wild horse population numbers underscore the urgency of protection of the herds -- NOW. Using the vision of a perfect world described above, Ginger's and TCF's efforts will continue until helicopter roundups are no longer on the agenda and where few removals -- of any kind -- will be necessary.

Your contribution this GIVING TUESDAY enables us to continue our fight to protect and preserve wild horses and burros on public lands, keeping them WILD and FREE where they belong.

Tickets Now On Sale!

https://bit.ly/TCFborntobewild2023

Join us for a WILD night of fun, food, and music at the ‘Flying W Ranch in Colorado Springs, CO. Meet celebrity mustangs and humans, too. Actor Adam Bartley ("the Ferg" on the hit series “Longmire) joins us once again, along with The World-Famous Flying W Wranglers!

Come bid on unique artwork, photography, collectibles, fun experiences, and more in our silent auction. Have your picture taken with formerly wild mustangs. Enjoy a delicious chuckwagon-style dinner prepared just for you by our wonderful Flying W hosts. After dinner, we’ll hear from Adam Bartley and Ginger Kathrens - and see who will receive this year’s Golden Phoenix Award! Then it’s time for some music and dancing as the World Famous Flying W Wranglers take the stage for a high-energy performance!

BORN TO BE WILD is our annual fundraising event to support our work fighting to keep wild mustangs and burros wild and free through public awareness, education, media, direct advocacy, and legal action.

Adult Ticket $100
Children 3-12 $50
Children 2 and under FREE

Every dollar raised at this event helps us keep wild horse families in the wild, where they belong. Support a wonderful cause and join us for a night to remember!

Become a BTBW Sponsor!

Great forWe have several Sponsorship levels available — Contact Executive Director, Kerry Ferguson, for further information.

HERD HERO Sponsor — $5000

Pre-Event Promotion:
• Logo on the BTBW event registration webpage
• Recognition in all pre-event emails sent to 26,000+ subscribers worldwide
• Logo prominently featured on event materials sent to donors worldwide & shared with 450,000 social media followers
• Recognition in all press releases and media events leading up to the event

Event Day Presence:
• VIP table in front of the room - (12 seats) reserved for you & your guests
• Name/Logo featured prominently on Audio/Visual displays
• Name/Logo on signage within the event space
• Name/Logo on Step and Repeat, featured in guest photos
• VIP placement of your logo in the event program (September 15th print deadline)
• Option to provide one branded item for guest swag bags
• Special recognition & thank you from Ginger Kathrens at the event

Post-Event Promotion:
• Recognition in all post-event e-blast(s) sent to 15,000+ constituents
• Promotion in TCF post-event Social Media posts (a reach of over 500,000 followers)

BAND STALLION Sponsor — $2500

Pre-Event Promotion:
• Logo on the BTBW event registration webpage
• Recognition in pre-event e-blast(s) sent to 26,000+ subscribers
• Name/Logo on event materials sent to donors nationwide & shared with 400,000 social media
followers
• Recognition in all press releases and media events leading up to the event

Event Day Presence:
• Preferred table (8 seats) near the front of the room reserved for you & your guests
• Name/Logo in event program (September 15th print deadline)
• Name/Logo on Step and Repeat, featured in guest photos
• Name/Logo on signage within the event space
• Special recognition by emcee during the event
• Option to provide one branded item for guest swag bags

Post-Event Promotion:
• Recognition in 1 post-event e-blast sent to 15,000+ constituents
• Promotion in 1 post-event TCF Social Media post on all platforms (reach of over 500,000 followers)

Lead Mare Sponsorship — $1000

Pre-Event Promotion:
• Name/Logo on the event registration webpage
• Recognition in pre-event e-blast(s) sent to 26,000+ constituents
• Name/Logo on event materials, sent to donors nationwide & shared with 400,000+ social media followers

Event Day Presence:
• 6 event tickets guaranteeing a whole table with your guests.
• Name/Logo in event program (September xx print deadline)
• Name and logo on signage within the event space

Post-Event Promotion
• Recognition in 1 post-event e-blast sent to 15,000+ constituents

ADVOCATE Sponsorship — $500

Pre-event Promotion:
• Name/Logo on the BTBW event registration webpage
• Recognition in 1 pre-event e-blast sent to 26,000+ subscribers

Event Day Presence:
• 2 tickets to the event with seating near the front of the room
• Name/Logo in event program (September 15th print deadline)
• Name/Logo on signage within the event space

Post-Event Promotion:
• Recognition in 1 post-event e-blast sent to 26,000+ constituents

BY THE NUMBERS — Sponsorship Benefits

Attendees
• Born to be Wild events are attended by over 200 guests
• On average, guests spend approx. $400 at the event, with high items selling for over $3,000.

Online Advantages
• www.thecloudfoundation.org receives: • 4,000+ unique visitors per month • 12,000 page views per month
• 133,000 page views per year • 26,000+ unique email subscribers
• 400,000+ Facebook followers • 10,000+ Instagram followers

Extended Reach — Celebrity Guest Adam Bartley
• 719,000 Facebook audience
• 92,000 Instagram audience
• 1.7 million Longmire fans worldwide

Extended Reach – Flying W Wranglers
• 33,000 Facebook audience
• 1,000+ Instagram audience

AREA HOTELS

Coming from out of town? Welcome to beautiful Colorado Springs! There are may options for your overnight stay. Here are a few from which to choose!

*Quality Inns and Suites, GOG
555 Garden Of Gods Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 · (719) 355-1214

*Hyatt Place Colorado Springs/GOG 
503 Garden Of The Gods Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 · (719) 265-9385

*Colorado Springs Marriott 
5580 Tech Center Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 · (719) 260-1800

*Town Place Suites by Marriott Garden of the Gods
4760 Centennial Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 · (719) 594-4447

* Comfort Inn North - Air Force Academy Area
6450 Corporate Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 · (719) 262-9000