The Dominiq Ponder 7/22 Foundation is turning a family’s loss into a mission built around support, education and remembrance.
Created by his parents, Catrina Hughes and Wendell Ponder, the nonprofit was formed shortly after Dominiq Ponder died in a single-car crash on March 1. Its purpose is straightforward: help rising students with scholarships and financial assistance, while also pushing education around responsible decision-making.
For Hughes and Wendell Ponder, the work has been painful, but it has also given them a way to move forward.
"With Dom's foundation, there's a lot of people that need help," Wendell Ponder said. "He had such a good heart and a big heart…Whoever we can help, we're going to help a lot of people. That's the way we see it."
The foundation is also meant to preserve the memory of the Colorado walk-on quarterback in a way that reflects how he lived. Before his death, Dominiq Ponder made time to visit children in hospitals and help care for his siblings, Carl and Monroe.
"It's as if he's doing something, continuing to do something, so that the night that he passed, that's not what everybody remembers," Hughes said. "It's that he's continuing to live through all the positive impact that we can do."
A major part of the foundation’s message centers on the dangers of impaired driving. Hughes said Dominiq was driving under the influence of alcohol when the crash happened, and she wants that to become a warning for other families.
"If I can save one parent from having to feel like we feel, or one sibling, because you always have somebody waiting for you to come home," Hughes said. "These kids, they think they're invincible.
I just think back to when Dominiq was home, and he was just so big and strong. They think they're invincible and that nothing can touch them.
If kids would just stop and think about that decision, think about who it's going to affect. Because it's like a ripple.
So many people are affected by your decisions."
That message is already reaching beyond Colorado. Waymo, the self-driving ride-hailing service, contacted Hughes through her work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The conversation is still in the early stages, but Hughes and Waymo hope to build a campaign when the service expands to Boulder.
Hughes also said the Denver Broncos are sharing her son’s story with rookies as part of an effort to help players make smart choices behind the wheel.
Colorado, meanwhile, has kept Dominiq Ponder close to the program as well. The team honored him with a "DP 7" jersey patch, and head coach Deion Sanders’ program has stayed in touch with the family over the past six months. Coach Prime, offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, punter Damon Greaves and former Buffs Shedeur Sanders and Dallan Hayden are among those who have remained connected.
"Coach Prime is awesome. He says we're family," Wendell Ponder said.
"Shedeur's calling Catrina every day - still, to this day. They haven't stopped.
It's like we're related now."
Colorado has dedicated its 2026 season to Dominiq, and last week’s opener in Atlanta gave the season a memorable start. Trailing 13-7 in the fourth quarter, Colorado came back for a go-ahead touchdown and then blocked a potential game-winning field goal to beat Georgia Tech 14-13.
Dom Ponder I miss you that was for you.
- Coach Marion (@BrennanMarion4) September 4, 2026
"It definitely seemed like a higher power was involved in those last couple of minutes," Hughes said.
With Hughes and Wendell Ponder traveling from Florida to Folsom Field, Colorado will open its home slate against Weber State on Saturday.
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