January 4, 2011 (970)

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lee Zimmerman January 4, 2011 (970) THE SUMMIT FOUNDATION AWARDS NEARLY $600,000 IN DECEMBER 2010 GRANTS The Summit Foundation/Vail Resorts Echo Grants made to five local non-profits At its December Board of Trustees meeting, The Summit Foundation Board of Trustees allocated $597,495 in grant awards to 45 nonprofit agencies providing services in Summit, Grand, Park, and Lake Counties. The Foundation is pleased to partner with these nonprofit organizations that provide vital services and improve the quality of life in Summit County and our neighboring communities, said Maureen Westerland, Co-Chair of The Summit Foundation Grants Committee. In recognition of the challenges many families are facing in this difficult economy, in this grant cycle, the Committee emphasized support for agencies that provide for the basic needs of individuals and families, noted Phyllis Martinez, Co- Chair of The Summit Foundation Grants Committee. The Summit Foundation is proud to be able to make these grants in this challenging economic environment. This distribution is significantly in thanks to the generous support we receive from all of our donors, noted Gini Bradley, President of Board of Trustees of The Summit Foundation. The Summit Foundation specifically partnered with Vail Resorts Echo on grants totaling $110,000 to five nonprofit organizations including, Advocates for Victims of Assault, Colorado West Regional Mental Health, Early Childhood Options, Keystone Science School and Summit Prevention Alliance. Many of these grant awards are made possible by the generous contributions made by our local ski resorts through their annual donation of transferable ski privileges (packaged as medallions) which result in over $800,000 in contributions to The Foundation each year, said Bradley. Over the past year, The Summit Foundation worked with Vail Resorts to establish a more official program to recognize their commitment to The Summit Foundation and to this community. 1

2 The funding granted in December 2010 was allocated in seven major categories. 48 percent of the funds awarded went to 17 health and human service agencies that received $288,110. Nine organizations offering educational programs and services received $115,760. Seven art and culture organizations received a total of $49,500. Two environmental organizations received a combined total of $10, ,075 was awarded to five nonprofit sports and recreation organizations. In addition, The Foundation presented $17,500 to four nonprofit organizations responsible for programs or projects in Grand, Park and Lake Counties. Special Initiative grants totaling $98,000 went to two programs. Grants were awarded from The Foundation and several donor advised funds including The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund, Summit Association of Realtors Charitable Fund, The Eileen & Paul Finkel Advised Fund, Keltner Family Fund, The Millisor Family Fund, The Jack and Pat Thomas Arts Fund and The Highlands at Breckenridge Advised Fund. (A complete list of grants awarded follows this release.) The Summit County and neighboring community nonprofit agencies also need to be recognized for their tremendous efforts in providing programs and services to all sectors of our community, notes Lee Zimmerman, Executive Director. Established in 1984 by the Breckenridge Ski Area, The Summit Foundation is a community, public foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents and guests of Summit County and neighboring communities. Since it began distributing grants in 1986, The Foundation has awarded over $13 million in grants and scholarships. The cornerstone for The Foundation's fundraising efforts is a transferable ski pass provided by Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Breckenridge Ski Resort, Copper Mountain Resort, Keystone Resort and Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts. Additional funds are raised from a variety of annual special events including The Summit Foundation Golf Tournament, The Summit Foundation Mountain Art Gathering, the Summit County Parade of Homes and the Rubber Duck Race. For additional information about The Foundation s grant program, or about contributing to or volunteering with The Foundation, please call (970) or visit 2

3 THE SUMMIT FOUNDATION DECEMBER 2010 GRANT AWARDS $597,495 TOTAL GRANTED ART & CULTURE: $49,500 GRANTED, 8.3% OF TOTAL Backstage Theatre - funding for royalty expenses. Breckenridge Festival of Film - funding for educational children s programs associated with the Festival of Film. Breckenridge Music Festival - funding for the 2010 Music-in-the-Schools program to benefit Summit County and neighboring community students. Funding for these programs is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund. Lake Dillon Foundation for the Performing Arts - a grant to support the Young People s Theatre Workshop, two free Sunset at the Summit concerts during the summer of 2010 and a bilingual theatre program. Funding for these programs is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund. National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) - support for the community engagement program and other NRO programs. Summit Choral Society - funding to purchase a keyboard. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and the Jack and Pat Thomas Art Fund. Summit Concert Band - funding to purchase music for the music library. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Jack and Pat Thomas Art Fund. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICE: $288,110 GRANTED, 48.2% OF TOTAL Advocates for Victims of Assault a partnership grant with Vail Resorts Echo to support the Peace Maker Campaign, the Clinical Services Coordinator and a facilitator for the free domestic violence and sexual assault survivors support group. Funding for these programs is provided by The Summit Foundation, The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund and The Eileen and Paul Finkel Advised Fund. CASA of the Continental Divide a grant for funding of program and staff support to provide advocacy services for children in the court system in cases of dependency and neglect. Funding for these programs is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund. Colorado West Mental Health Summit County - a partnership grant with Vail Resorts Echo and The Summit Foundation to support the detox and mental health triage unit (Safe Haven) and the Community Connections program. Family and Intercultural Resource Center - support for the General Assistance program which provides resource and referral services and emergency financial assistance for low-income families in crisis; and the Families United program which provides home visitations for all parents with children from birth to 5 years old providing information about parenting and child development. Funding for these programs is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Millisor Family Fund. Family Wellness Center scholarships to provide mental health services to families. 1

4 Girl Scouts of Colorado support of Summit County programs. Mountain HOPE Foundation support of a HIPPO therapy horse program for special needs children. Funding for this program is provided by The Summit Foundation, The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund and Summit Association of Realtors Charitable Fund. Summit Community Care Clinic - a grant to provide support for general clinic operations for patients without insurance. Funding for this program is provided by The Summit Foundation, The Millisor Family Fund and Summit Association of Realtors Charitable Fund. Summit County Dept. of Social Services - funding for emergency assistance for food, utilities, shelter and transportation for needy clients. Summit County Public Health - funding for the Centering on Pregnancy Program. Summit County Rotary - support of the Tuesday night community dinner. Funding for this program is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Eileen and Paul Finkel Advised Fund. Summit County Government Division of Youth and Family Services - funding support for Mountain Mentors and the Infant/Child program. St. Anthony Summit Medical Center Foundation - funding for the Think First child safety program. Summit Prevention Alliance - a partnership grant with Vail Resorts Echo to support general operating funds for core programs. Timberline Adult Day Services - a grant to support the services provided at the center for patients needing adult day care and supervision, including exercise, activities and socialization as well as respite for the patient s family members. Town of Silverthorne - funding for the Safe Summer Kids Kickoff program. Western Colorado AIDS Project support for assistance to Summit County HIV/AIDS patients. Funding for this program is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund. EDUCATION: $115,760 GRANTED, 19.3% OF TOTAL Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) - a grant to fund scholarships for Summit County residents using programs at BOEC and to purchase equipment for the Wilderness program. Funding for the scholarships is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund. Colorado Avalanche Information Center - funding for a snow and avalanche workshop in Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund. Early Childhood Options - support for the Childcare Resource and Referral program; funding for teacher development; and a partnership grant with Vail Resorts Echo, The Eileen and Paul Finkel Advised Fund and The Summit Foundation for the Move to Improve program. Girl Scouts of Summit County - a grant for program scholarships. 2

5 Keystone Science School a partnership grant with Vail Resorts Echo and The Summit Foundation to support a Summit Middle School student understanding and communication program (Transitions program) and a new Education in Action program. Lake Dillon Preschool and Early Learning Center - support for facility improvements. Little Red Schoolhouse - funding for program and staff enhancement efforts. SOS Outreach - funding to continue the SOS University program in Summit and Lake Counties. The program is designed to not only teach snowboarding but to encourage five core values that include courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom and compassion. Town of Silverthorne - support for a coordinator for Silvana s Community Garden. Summit County Preschool - support for scholarships, professional development and enrichment programs. ENVIRONMENT: $10,000 GRANTED, 1.7% OF TOTAL Friends of the Dillon Ranger District - funding for the Forest Stewards and Adopt-a-Trail programs. High Country Conservation Center - a grant to support and expand the Zero Waste program. SPORTS & RECREATION: $19,075 GRANTED, 3.2% OF TOTAL Dillon Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program - funding for program scholarships for SOS and youth mentor participants. High Country Soccer Association - scholarship support for the Latino Outreach Project. Summit High Blue Line Club - funding to purchase off-season ice time for the Summit High School Hockey Team. Summit Tigers American Legion Baseball - funding for a concrete floor for the batting cage at the Frisco Field. Funding is provided by The Highlands at Breckenridge Advised Fund. Summit Huts Association - support to complete a NEPA analysis for a new backcountry hut. Funding is provided by The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund. NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES: $17,500 GRANTED, 2.9% OF TOTAL Colorado West Regional Mental Health - support for mental health services in the Kremmling area. Heart of the Mountain Hospice - support for hospice care for uninsured and underinsured clients. Mountain Valley Developmental Services - a matching grant for children s mental health services in Lake County. South Park Parents as Teachers / Park County School District - funding for staff and program expenses. 3

6 SPECIAL INITIATIVES: $98,000 GRANTED, 16.4% OF TOTAL Family and Intercultural Resource Center - a designated gift from Keltner Family Fund toward the Families United program which provides home visitations for all parents with children from birth to 5 years old providing information about parenting and child development. Summit School District Pre-Collegiate Program a grant from The Summit Foundation and a designated gift from Keltner Family Fund toward the Summit County Pre-Collegiate Program to motivate, support and encourage first generation college students to scomplete high school and to pursue post secondary education. 4