Established in 1984 as The Breckenridge Development Foundation by the Breckenridge Ski Corporation, the foundation changed its name to The Summit Foundation in September 1991. With the continuing support of the Breckenridge Ski Area and the added support of Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Keystone and Vail Resorts, this public foundation remains dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents and guests of Summit County and Neighboring Communities.

The cornerstone of the Foundation's fundraising efforts is a transferable season ski pass provided by Breckenridge Ski Resort, Copper Mountain Resort, Winter Park Resort, Keystone Resort and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. For each donation of $3,500, donors are recognized with a Foundation Patron Pass which also includes discounts on group ski lessons at Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Keystone; discounts on food purchased at a variety of restaurants both on and off the mountains; complimentary access to the nordic centers at Breckenridge, Frisco and Keystone; a limited number of complimentary golf rounds at Breckenridge Golf Club, Copper Creek Golf Course and the Keystone Ranch Golf Course; reduced lodging rates at Keystone, discounted ski rentals and more. A seven-mountain transferable season ski pass program is also available. In addition to the benefits described above, this pass is valid at Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts for a $4,500 donation. A new program implemented in 1993, is the Premier Patron Pass Program. This four-year program provides the donor with benefits listed above and supports the annual and endowment funds of the foundation. The current contribution for this four-year program is $13,000.

The Foundation raises funds through a variety of methods. In the Fall of 1986, The Foundation published a cookbook and received proceeds from the sale of The Breckenridge Genuine Colorado Cookbook. (Cookbooks are currently sold out.)

In 1997 and continuing for five years, East West Partners initiated an annual Hoedown event to benefit the Foundation. Organized by the East West Partners Breckenridge office, this event raised additional funds for the Foundation's endowment fund each year. The East West Partners Hoedown will return in 2004.

For more than 10 years, The Summit Foundation Hockey Classic has taken place each April. Presented by Intrawest and Vail Resorts, this “Rivalry of the Resorts” features a spirited hockey match-up between the Intrawest Canucks and Vail Resorts Americans at the Breckenridge Ice Rink. Added in 2000, the annual “Battle of the Badges” is a friendly hockey game featuring the fire fighters and police officers from throughout Summit County. New in 2006 is the addition of a hockey “draft” that will be used to build two teams for another competitive and spirited game.

"A Taste of Breckenridge", an annual event since 1986, originally scheduled for the first Saturday in April, was a special event created by the Foundation. In order to better accommodate the event, "A Taste of Breckenridge" was moved to Memorial Day Weekend. This 3-day fundraiser featured the "chef's specialty" from Breckenridge's finest restaurants at The Grand Tasting culminating on Sunday evening. Attendees were able to sample many varieties of food prepared by the best chefs in Breckenridge along with a wine, beer and coffee tasting. A brew master's dinner, wine maker's dinner, additional wine, beer and champagne tastings and an evening of martinis and entertainment completed the weekend's festivities. The final “A Taste of Breckenridge” was held in 2001.

The Steve Watson Golf Classic, an annual golf tournament established in 1988, was held in mid-June and hosted at the Breckenridge Golf Club. In 1995, this event expanded to also include the Keystone Ranch Golf Course. The 2000 event, hosted by the Breckenridge Golf Club and Copper Mountain Resort, was expanded to include Denver Broncos wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. The 2001and 2002 tournaments were played at the Breckenridge Golf Club and The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks in Silverthorne. Through the organizational efforts of Cope Daley McCrea, later Moonlight Marketing and supported by hundreds of volunteers, a substantial contribution to the Foundation was realized. Proceeds also benefited a Denver area charity, selected by Steve & Ed each year. A welcome cocktail party, 2-day tournament and awards banquet made this event one of the highlights of the early summer season. The final Watson McCaffrey Golf Classic was held in June 2002. In 2003, a golf event in partnership with the NFL Alumni Association began. This event was hosted at the Breckenridge Golf Club and The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks in Silverthorne. Proceeds again benefited The Summit Foundation. 2004 saw the continuation of the golf event by the foundation with new sports celebrities involved. The Great West Peter Forsberg Celebrity Golf Tournament took place June 17 - 20 with two days of tournament play once again at the Breckenridge Golf Club and The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks. Other event festivities include a Welcome Reception, Golf Gala Banquet and an Awards Reception. Continuing this tradition in 2005, The Great West Peter Forsberg Golf Tournament expanded upon its success of the prior year.

Set amid the picturesque Rocky Mountains at River Run in Keystone, the Mountain Art Gathering, established in 1999, is a classic art show and sale showcasing twelve of America's leading fine artists. Activities for children and a Friday night gala add to the weekend's festivities. A portion of the total artist sales from the weekend event is contributed to the foundation. Additional revenues are generated at the gala dinner where donated art items from each artist are auctioned for sale.

Another annual fund raising event is held on Saturday afternoon of Labor Day Weekend. The Summit Foundation's Rubber Duck Race features thousands of yellow rubber ducks launched on the Maggie Pond, floating down the Blue River to the finish line at the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center where adopted duck "owners" with the "fastest" ducks receive valuable prizes. A special prize is awarded to the adoptive owner of the last duck to cross the finish line. Additions to the event in 2001 included the limited-entry Corporate Duck Race and Duck Beauty Contest. A special kid's duck race was added to the duck race line-up in 2005. The races, entertainment, kids' activities and barbeque make this a great event for the entire family.

Working with Public Service Company, now Xcel Energy, the Foundation implemented an employee payroll deduction program in the fall of 1992. Along with a 50 percent corporate match, this program raised nearly $8,000 in its inaugural year. Marking its fourteenth year in 2006, Xcel Energy and its employees will have contributed more than $300,000 to the Foundation since the program's inception. The payroll deduction program has been introduced to a variety of large and small employers throughout Summit County. Employees at Alpine Bank, Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center, Copper Mountain Resort, East West Partners, Eddie Bauer Factory Store, Grand Timber Lodge/Gold Point Lodging, Keystone Symposia, Summit County Government, Summit School District, T.C.D., Inc., Town of Silverthorne, and Vail Summit Orthopaedics are current and past participants in the program. This is a great way for a group of employees to get together to make a significant contribution to the foundation.

The Al Chaffee Memorial Fund was established in the Spring of 1995. A ten-year Foundation board member, Al's commitment to the community and the Foundation is honored and remembered with this fund. What began with proceeds from the sale of a gift of stock in Al's memory continues to grow to meet the ever increasing nonprofit financial needs in Summit County.

The Julie DeForrest Memorial Fund was initiated in the Fall of 1995 to honor the memory of Julie DeForrest, wife of former board member Bill DeForrest. Each of these memorial funds became the basis for the Foundation's Endowment Fund.

Officially established in 1996, The Summit Foundation's Endowment Fund will ensure the future of the foundation for generations to come. Our goal to raise $1 million by the end of the year 2000 was achieved in 1999 with generous donations from a wide variety of donors, and major gifts from a Summit County family and a Breckenridge company. With more than $4 million in gifts, pledges and planned gifts designated to the endowment fund to date, the foundation will continue to build this fund into the future. Income generated from the investments of this fund is used to support the grant-making activities of the foundation. It is the intent of the foundation to protect the corpus of this fund in order to guarantee the grantmaking program of the foundation into the future.

In 1997, the Foundation was named to receive memorial gifts in honor of Jan Desrosier Lenzotti. Jan, a long time Summit County resident, former director of the Breckenridge Festival of Film and a former employee with the Breckenridge Music Institute, saw the important role nonprofit organizations play in our community. Jan will be remembered for her enthusiasm and support of many nonprofit programs and organizations in Summit County. These gifts have also been designated to the Endowment Fund.

Having identified art in public places as part of its mission, the Foundation commissioned Denny Haskew of the National Sculptors' Guild to create a larger-than-life size sculpture for Summit County's River Run Village at Keystone. Made possible by a generous donation from Keystone Real Estate Developments, "Whispers of Oneness" was unveiled at Christmas 1997. Cast in the lost wax method, "Whispers of Oneness" is available in a limited edition maquette to benefit The Summit Foundation's Endowment Fund.

In 1998, the family of Andy Bolt named The Summit Foundation as the recipient of gifts in his memory. Andy's love of Summit County was evident in his enjoyment of the many outdoor activities Summit County had to offer. Andy's memory will live on through the gifts made to the Endowment Fund.

In 1999, Summit County photographer Bob Winsett set in motion the publishing of a book – Summit Pioneers. Written by former Summit County resident, Alison Grabau, Summit Pioneers is a collection of interviews and stories told by many of the last remaining contemporary pioneers of Summit County. Wilson-Lass Image makers handled the production aspect of the book. All proceeds from the sale of Summit Pioneers have been dedicated to the foundation's Endowment Fund. (Currently, all first printing copies of the book have been sold.)

In 2001, the family of Carol Gann Lee designated The Summit Foundation Endowment Fund for gifts in Carol's memory. A long time community member and business owner, with husband Bob, Carol was a committed supporter of many nonprofit organizations in our county. Gifts to this memorial fund have continued each year. In 2003, following the college graduation of Carol and Bob's son Brandon, additional gifts were given to the fund in Brandon's honor. Also, gifts in memory of Carol's father Jo Gann have been designated to this fund. This is truly a living memorial to the Carol's spirit and kindness in our community.

In 2003, the foundation was named as the recipient of gifts in memory of long-time Breckenridge resident Bill Tatro. Bill and his wife Cheryl have been supporters of the foundation for twelve years. Bill's passion for life was extraordinary. He was an avid skier, outdoorsman and traveler. He and Cheryl ran a successful Breckenridge business together; which Cheryl continues to run today. Gifts in Bill's memory have been designated to the Endowment Fund.

In 2004, the foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary. Marked by a gala dinner event hosted at the Silverthorne ranch home of Ernie and Sharon Magness Blake, the evening included a variety of entertainment provided by cultural organizations funded by the foundation over the years. To mark this occasion, the foundation initiated a special 20th Anniversary Endowment Fund campaign and more than $160,000 has been gifted.

Twice each year, the Foundation funds organizations in Summit County and neighboring communities that provide programs or services in the areas of art and culture, health and human service, education and scholarships, environment and sports. Organizations request grants by submitting formal applications for specific projects. The Board of Trustees makes funding decisions based on these requests. Since 1986, more than $9.6 million has been awarded through the foundation's grant and scholarship program.

The Neighboring Communities grant program was established in 1998 and the first grants were awarded in 1999. Since, then 49 nonprofit agencies in Grand, Lake, Chaffee, Eagle and Park Counties have received nearly $350,000 to support their community programs and projects.

1991 saw the establishment of the Summit High School graduating senior scholarship program. Students pursuing further education and career training are eligible to apply to the scholarship program. Additionally, the Foundation recognizes the valedictorian and salutatorian each year with a scholarship. Beginning in 2002, the foundation awards a second round of scholarships to scholarship recipients in their sophomore year of college. To date, more than $1 million has been awarded to 338 students pursuing post-secondary education.

A foreign study scholarship program was also established in 1991. Summit High School students in the foreign language classes participating in school sponsored trips to France, Spain, Mexico and other European and South American countries may apply to the Foundation for a limited amount of financial support. In the spring of 1997, students traveling to Costa Rica with Colorado Outward Bound also received scholarship support. Since 1992, 110 Summit County students have received foreign study and musical scholarships. 

In 1991, the Foundation established the Summit County Philanthropy Day Awards Program. Modeled after national and state celebrations, local residents and organizations are honored for their accomplishments in philanthropy. Each year an Outstanding Philanthropist, Board Member, Volunteer, Citizen, Nonprofit Organization, Small Business and Corporation are recognized. In 1995 a student category was added to the program. In 1996, an Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy category was included. And in 2000, an Outstanding Educator category was added. Since its inception, more than 150 individuals, organizations and businesses have been honored for their community contributions.

In 1993, the Foundation established the Summit County Volunteer Center, designed to be a clearinghouse for volunteer needs throughout the county. Nonprofit volunteer needs are advertised on a weekly basis. Community members interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact the center to become a part of the countywide volunteer network. Referrals of volunteers to individual nonprofits are made, with the center performing a variety of follow-up activities. More than 400 individuals are registered with the volunteer center, with that number increasing weekly. Costs to operate the volunteer center are funded by the Foundation.

A Board of Trustees governs the Foundation with representation from throughout Summit County. Current board members include Larry Beebe, Gini Bradley, Wayne Brunetti, Theresa Campbell, Linda Clem, Jan Coles, Cary Cooper, Bob Craig, Thomas Davidson, Greg Finch, Tim Gagen, Kerry Gibson, Kathy Grotemeyer, Millie Hamner, Kara Heide, Alan Henceroth, Lee Henry, Maggie Hillman, Peter Janes, Kelly Keefer, Meg Lass, Phyllis Martinez, Rob Millisor, Rick Oshlo, Larry Reavis, Gary Rodgers, Steve Smith, Anne Stonington, Matt Walsh, Maureen Westerland and Hans Wurster.

The Executive Committee members include Larry Beebe, President; Cary Cooper, Vice President; Jan Coles, Secretary; Greg Finch, Treasurer; Gini Bradley, Member at Large; Maggie Hillman, Member at Large; and Nancy Follett, Immediate Past President.

Current Foundation staff members include Kasey Geoghegan, Director of Development; Michael Langlois, Special Events and Marketing Director; Amy Priegel, Administrative Assistant and Office Manager; and Lee Zimmerman, Executive Director. The Foundation's office is located at 111A Lincoln Avenue in Breckenridge, Colorado. We can be reached at P.O. Box 4000, Breckenridge, Colorado 80424, (970) 453-5970, FAX: (970) 453-1423, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .