How the Summit Foundation Invests in the Place We Live, Work, and Play

More than 4.5 million people visit Summit County each year, while full time residents make up less than one percent of that number. Visitors come to ski, ride, hike, and enjoy the mountains, but every visit depends on the local community that keeps this place running. Nonprofits support the workforce, provide essential services, protect the environment, and maintain the quality of life that makes Summit County a destination.

For more than 40 years, the Summit Foundation has worked to sustain that community. The Foundation invites everyone who spends time here, whether full time or only for a few days, to take part in keeping Summit County strong. Even one dollar a day can help support the programs that make this possible.

Grants

In the Fall 2025 Grants Cycle, the Summit Foundation awarded 1.1 million dollars to 68 nonprofits across Summit County. These organizations address needs in basic services, youth programs, arts and culture, health, recreation, and environmental stewardship. Demand continues to grow, and the Foundation focuses on directing resources where they can make the most meaningful impact.

“We are seeing rising needs across nearly every sector of our nonprofit community,” said Ellen Reid, executive director. “Our role is to listen, evaluate, and direct resources where they will make the greatest difference. When our community comes together, we make possibilities real.”

Scholarships and Special Initiatives

The Foundation provides scholarships that support local students pursuing college, trade programs, and certification pathways. It also leads community efforts related to Career Pathways, Afterschool Options, Mental Health Services, and research on rising health care costs. These initiatives respond to challenges shaping daily life in Summit County.

As Colorado Gives Day approaches, the Foundation encourages both residents and visitors to support the community that makes Summit County what it is. Whether you live here, work here, or visit to play, your participation helps keep Summit County thriving.