Matt Whitcomb, Head Coach for the U.S. Ski Team and Board Member for the National Nordic Foundation, shared the following letter with American skiers earlier today. I am reposting it here to broaden its reach.
To the athletes: Read this closely, and note that if there is even a chance that you will be participating in NNF-supported trips this winter, it is in your interest to start fundraising now. To the people supporting the athletes: Give early and give often. You can find this year’s Drive for 25 page here.
By Matt Whitcomb
November 25, 2025
Greetings from the reindeer slalom, which is our annual bus ride from training camp in Muonio to the World Cup season opener in Ruka, Finland. The team is healthy, prepared, and grateful for our U.S. ski family back home. We’re proud to represent you this winter.
I’m the Head Coach of the U.S. Ski Team and a board member for the National Nordic Foundation, and I’m writing because skiing’s largest grassroots fundraiser — the Drive for 25 — is happening now. I invite you to create your own fundraising page or support an existing one at the following link.
Below is a look at who is eligible for NNF funding this winter. Please email me with questions.
U18 Trip, World Junior / U23 Championships, FESA Cup Trip (or 2026 equivalent)
Athletes who qualify for one or more trips are eligible for NNF support. When rosters are announced in January, each athlete may accept or decline NNF funding.
New this winter: To receive funding, athletes must: Participate in the 2025 Drive for 25 and raise 10 or more donations of $25+ (one $250 donation = only one qualifying donation). Athletes who have not yet participated in time for team naming still have until the first day of their trip to create a page and collect the required donations. Athletes qualifying for multiple trips only need to meet the D25 requirement once.
World Cup Grants (2025–26 Season)
Eligible athletes include those who qualify for World Cups but are not on the U.S. Ski Team A or B Teams. Grants are paid in April and cover: 40% of the athlete’s end-of-season ground expenses (R&B, airport taxi, wax fees — not including personal techs). Total World Cup Grant funding is capped at $40,000 across all athletes for 2025–26.
Additional bonuses:
- +10% for an individual World Cup top-30 result (1 qualifying result covers entire season)
- +10% for Olympic qualification
- +10% for raising >$250 in the D25
- +10% for raising >$1,000 in the D25
Behind every Olympic medal is a foundation of grassroots support, and these roots are what the Drive for 25 is about. We are the answer. So, whether we toe the line this winter, coach a club of 72 kids, or cheer among thousands along the trails at Lake Placid World Cup Finals, we do so while representing the United States. We build our culture through our actions. Let’s enter this season with sportsmanship, grit, and compassion for one another. Good luck, everyone. Here we go!
