High Fives Nonprofit Foundation

On April 29, 2006, competitive freeskier and coach Roy Tuscany was training on Mammoth Mountain in California when he launched 130 feet off a 100-foot cliff, burst fracturing his T12 vertebrae and rendering him paralyzed from the waist down upon impact. After having high hopes of becoming a world-class professional skier, the 24-year-old athlete had to relearn everything from the ground up.

The incredible encouragement Roy received from the community during his recovery inspired the creation of High Fives Nonprofit Foundation in 2009. The foundation prevents accidents by educating athletes of all ages on mountain safety and awareness, provides financial support and healing resources to life-changing injury survivors, and enables these individuals to reintegrate into outdoor recreation.

High Fives' mission is to focus on preventing life-changing injuries and provide resources and hope if they happen. Since 2009, the Truckee-based foundation has helped 715 athletes and veterans from 46 states and Canada, providing more than $8.3 million in board-approved grants toward their rehabilitation and recovery from life-changing injuries. It is a dream come true to help these individuals and continue to grow at the rate we have been. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about what we do and who we serve. High five to you!

Roy Tuscany 

Founder & CEO
High Fives Foundation