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Summit Foundation announces $500,000 in grants

At its December Board of Trustees meeting, The Summit Foundation Board of Trustees allocated $500,138 in grant awards to 42 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 Jan Coles, 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.”

The Summit Foundation awards grants in June and December. With these recent distributions, a total of $831,367 was awarded to 85 nonprofit agencies by The Foundation in 2009. In addition, $144,378 in college scholarships was awarded this year to graduating high school seniors and college freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors.

“The Summit Foundation is proud to be able to make these grants in this challenging economic environment,” noted Cary Cooper, President of Board of Trustees of The Summit Foundation. “This distribution is significant in thanks to the generous support we receive from all of our donors.”

New to the grant program this fall, The Summit Foundation specifically partnered with Vail Resorts on grants totaling $117,510 to four nonprofit organizations, the Family and Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC), Summit Community Care Clinic, Early Childhood Options 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 passes (medallions) which result in over $700,000 in contributions to The Foundation each year,” said Cooper. “This Fall, 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.”

The funding was allocated in six major categories. 53 percent of the funds awarded went to 14 health and human service agencies that received $263,000. Nine organizations offering educational programs and services received $73,968. Eight art and culture organizations received a total of $69,350. Three environmental organizations received a combined total of $12,000. $21,500 was awarded to four nonprofit sports and recreation organizations. In addition, The Foundation presented $15,320 to three nonprofit organizations responsible for programs or projects in Grand, Park and Lake Counties. 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 Oshlo Family Fund, The Jack and Pat Thomas Arts Fund and The Howard and Sue Carver Healthcare Fund.

“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.

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 making grants in 1986, The Foundation has awarded $11.6 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, Winter Park and Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts. Additional funds are raised from a variety of annual special events including The Summit Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament, The Summit Foundation Mountain Art Gathering, the Summit County Parade of Homes and the Rubber Duck Race. Additionally, funds were raised for The Foundation this past year through events sponsored by NRC Broadcasting, Grand Lodge on Peak 7 and other local businesses.

ART & CULTURE: $69,350 GRANTED, 14% OF TOTAL
Backstage Theatre - funding for royalty expenses.

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.

Breckenridge Festival of Film - funding for educational children's programs associated with the Festival of Film.

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, Summer Theater and the Lake Dillon Theatre Company. Funding for these programs is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund.

National Repertory Orchestra - support for the community engagement program and other NRO programs.

Summit Choral Society - funding to purchase performance music for the permanent music library.

Summit Concert Orchestra - funding to purchase sheet music for the music library.

Summit Public Radio - a grant to assist in acquisition of surface rights for infrastructure and equipment for their tower on Baldy Mountain.

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICE: $263,000 GRANTED, 53% OF TOTAL
Advocates for Victims of Assault - support for 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 and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund.

Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) - a grant to fund scholarships for Summit County residents using programs at the BOEC, a volunteer coordination program and to purchase equipment. Funding for the scholarships is provided by The Summit Foundation, Summit Association of Realtors Charitable Fund and the; funding for equipment is provided by The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund and The Oshlo Family Fund.

CASA of the Continental Divide - funding for program and staff support to provide advocacy services for children in the court system in cases of dependency and neglect. Funding for this program is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund.

Colorado West Mental Health – Summit County - a grant to support the detox and mental health triage unit.

Family and Intercultural Resource Center - a partnership grant with Vail Resorts, The Summit Foundation and the Eileen & Paul Finkel Advised Fund to support 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.

Summit Community Care Clinic - a partnership grant with Vail Resorts and the donor advised funds listed below 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.

Summit County Government Division of Youth and Family Services - funding support for a Healthy Start program coordinator and the Infant/Child program.

St. Anthony Summit Medical Center Foundation - funding for the 10 bed expansion and for the Think First child safety program. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Howard and Sue Carver Healthcare Fund.

Summit Prevention Alliance - a partnership grant with Vail Resorts for program enhancement and capacity building.

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. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Eileen & Paul Finkel Advised Fund.

Town of Silverthorne - funding for the Safe Summer Kids Kickoff program.

EDUCATION: $73,968 GRANTED, 15% OF TOTAL
Colorado Avalanche Information Center - funding for an avalanche workshop in 2010. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund.

Colorado Mountain College - a grant to support the community lecture series. Funding is provided by The Eileen & Paul Finkel Advised Fund.

Early Childhood Options - support for the Childcare Resource and Referral program; funding for teacher development; and a partnership grant with Vail Resorts for a new “Move to Improve” program.

Girl Scouts of Summit County - a grant for program scholarships.

Keystone Science School - support for Summit Middle School student understanding and communication program.

Lake Dillon Preschool and Early Learning Center - support for facility improvements.

Little Red Schoolhouse - funding for program and staff enhancement efforts.

Summit High School Instrumental Music Department - Scholarships for special lessons. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Jack and Pat Thomas Arts Fund.

Timberline Learning Center - funding for scholarship tuition assistance.

Town of Silverthorne - support for Silvana's Community Garden.

ENVIRONMENT: $12,000 GRANTED, 2% OF TOTAL
Friends of the Dillon Ranger District - funding for the Forest Stewards and Adopt-a-Trail programs.

Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness - funding for trail signage. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Lenzmeier/Williams Advised Fund.

High Country Conservation Center - a grant to assist in funding home energy audits.

SPORTS & RECREATION: $21,500 GRANTED, 4% OF TOTAL
Dillon Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program - funding for instruction and insurance costs for SOS and youth mentor participants.

High Country Soccer Association - scholarship support for the Latino Outreach Project.

Snowsport Outreach Society (SOS) - funding to continue the SOS University program in Summit School District. The program is designed to not only teach snowboarding but to encourage five core values that include courage, discipline, integrity, wisdom and compassion.

Summit High Blue Line Club - funding to purchase off-season ice time for the Summit High School Hockey Team.

NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES: $15,320 GRANTED, 3% OF TOTAL
Troublesome Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation (Kremmling) - general operating support.

Small Steps of Lake County - general operating assistance and salary for a part-time program coordinator.

South Park Parents as Teachers / Park County School District - funding for staff and program expenses. Funding is provided by The Summit Foundation and The Eileen & Paul Finkel Advised Fund.

SPECIAL INITIATIVES: $45,000 GRANTED, 9% 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 - a designated gift from Keltner Family Fund toward the Summit County Pre-Collegiate Program to motivate, support and encourage first generation college students to stay in school and to pursue po

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