Student Travel Sponsorship
We sponsor students seeking educational travel opportunities.
The Foundation
Carrying his spirit forward
The What Would Ian Do Foundation carries Ian’s grace and his zest for adventure, as well as his warmth, forward. That is the whole of what it is for.
Purpose
What the Foundation is
The What Would Ian Do Foundation is a memorial foundation for Ian Treger, born October 25, 1996.
The What Would Ian Do Foundation is dedicated to opening doors for learning, connection, and community support. We sponsor students seeking educational travel opportunities, provide pathways for international learners to study English, and offer assistance to Search and Rescue organizations working with families of missing loved ones. Our mission is to honor Ian’s spirit by helping people find their way forward—wherever they are in the world.
The Foundation carries Ian’s grace and zest for adventure, as well as his warmth, forward. Gifts given in his memory create lasting tributes in his honor — funding trails, adventures, and moments of connection for others to discover.
Amongst his travels, Ian was an English teacher in various countries and a team leader on overseas adventures for students. Children loved his fun personality and treasured every moment learning and spending time with him.
Programs
What the Foundation supports
English Learning Abroad
We provide pathways for international learners to study English.
Search & Rescue Support
We offer assistance to Search and Rescue organizations working with families of missing loved ones.
His values
Curiosity, Adventure, Warmth
Three values guide the Foundation. Each one is simply something Ian already did.
Ian had a spirit that people were just drawn to. People would innately just give him food, and places to stay, they just wanted to experience his good “ju-ju”!
Curiosity
Ian met the world with humor, curiosity and an open and kind heart. He’d ask the next question, chase the story, and learn everything a new place had to teach.
Adventure
A passionate traveler and hiker as well as an avid reader of adventure, Ian was never happier than when he was exploring new countries and meeting and encountering new people. He’d lace up his boots and climb, finding beauty and meaning on every trail.
Warmth
Ian was warm and generous to everyone he met around the world and made numerous friendships and all adored him. He’d make you feel welcome, with an easy smile and room at the table for all.
Giving
How gifts are used
Gifts are received directly by the family and go toward the Foundation’s work.
They create lasting tributes in Ian’s honor — funding trails, adventures, and moments of connection for others to discover. That is the intent behind every gift, and it is the same intent whether the gift is large or small.
The tributes themselves are still taking shape. As each one is decided, it will be described here plainly, and nothing will be said about it that is not true.
If you have a question about any of this, please get in touch. Ways to give are on the Donate page.
The question
Live like Ian! When you hesitate or doubt, ask — “What Would Ian Do?”
Ask the next question. Take the trail. Leave room at the table for whoever turns up. That is how his spirit keeps going.
Gifts are received directly by the family and go toward the Foundation’s work.