The Summit Foundation is pleased to announce $1,065,000 in grants to 57 local nonprofits through its end-of-year grants cycle. The Summit Foundation grants are awarded to organizations that are making a difference in one of The Summit Foundation’s four impact areas: Healthy & Safe Communities, Bright Futures, Arts & Culture, and Environmental Stewardship.

The Summit Foundation is proud to award over half a million dollars this fall to provide Summit County youth with a “Bright Future.” The fall grant cycle focuses on improving the quality, diversity, and access to educational opportunities and sports for children of all ages. The Foundation is excited to be a part of two new programs, careers in construction and Ski and Snowboard manufacturing offered through the Summit High School, that recognize not all pathways forward require a four-year degree. The Foundation solidified its commitment to our youngest community members through sustained support of the Early Childhood education centers. We strengthened our new initiative to improve access and affordability of our afterschool and summer camp programs through grants for local nonprofits to expand their services. Finally, we support youth sports organizations so they can lower the barriers to entry so that everyone can play.

Grants Committee Co-Chair Susan Propper explains how it all works: “Each year, The Summit Foundation’s staff and trustees spend weeks reviewing the details of each request, including meeting one-on-one with each applicant. Through the Grants Committee’s in-depth review process, we are also able to identify other ways we can support our local nonprofits through The Summit Foundation’s Nonprofit Resources for Grantees program.”

Of course, The Summit Foundation couldn’t provide this funding without help from the community. Fall grants were made possible by over 3,000 generous businesses and individuals that donated this year to The Summit Foundation, including our ski area partners: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Copper Mountain Resorts.

Eight donor-advised funds managed by The Summit Foundation also contributed to the grantees, which provided supplemental funding to nonprofits in need. These managed funds help the Summit Foundation navigate market fluctuation and provide consistent funding.

The Summit Foundation’s fall cycle is just one way we are supporting the organizations that enrich our lives in Summit County. Last year, the Foundation gave back $4 million dollars in grants, scholarships and special initiatives and is forecasting an increase in that contribution for 2023. In challenging times, the Summit Foundation and our donors recognize that the need is great and rise to the challenge to make a positive impact.

“We are so grateful for the generous support that allows The Summit Foundation to distribute over a million dollars directly back into the community each fall. Grants are a key program of The Summit Foundation and are fundamental in uplifting the work of our local nonprofit community,” remarked Jeanne Bistranin, Executive Director of The Summit Foundation.

The full list of grantees is provided below, including the five grants that were awarded in partnership with Vail Resorts EpicPromise: Breckenridge Montessori, High Country Conservation Center, Lake Dillon Preschool, Summit County Preschool and Timberline Learning Center.

The Summit Foundation’s 2022 Fall Grantees