“…we know that Community Foundation Boulder County has a deep understanding of the local nonprofit sector – and the communities it serves.”
Photo (L to R): Les Marsh, HR director; John Perry, IT director; Steve Rowntree, business operations director; Hunter Wright, executive assistant and sustainability manager; Paul Fillion, mountain operations director; Brent Tregaskis, president and general manager; and Sam Bass, marketing director.
A new Donor-Advised Fund established at your Community Foundation is already having a profound impact among local nonprofit organizations.
According to recent coverage in the Daily Camera, “Eldora Mountain Resort is supporting Nederland and Boulder nonprofits that are facing funding shortfalls because of the coronavirus pandemic through Play It Forward, a new philanthropic project.”
Specifically, Play It Forward is an outgrowth of POWDR, the Nederland ski resort’s parent company. POWDR is working with eight of its ski resorts across the country to partner with local foundations to distribute COVID-19 relief funding to local nonprofit groups. Play It Forward is part of Eldora and POWDR’s Play Forever corporate responsibility commitment.
“We decided that partnering with community foundations is the most efficient and effective way to distribute funds, and we know that Community Foundation Boulder County has a deep understanding of the local nonprofit sector – and the communities it serves,” says Eldora Marketing Director Sam Bass.
The Play It Forward Fund was established with a $250K donation from the Cumming Foundation, POWDR founder John Cumming, and his brother, David – along with resort team members. The family’s and foundation’s gifts total $2.25M.
According to Sam, while the immediate goal is to provide COVID-19 relief to area nonprofis, Eldora and POWDR will continue their philanthropic work in response to help address future community needs.
“We often use the term ‘hyper-local,’” continues Sam, describing how Eldora – more than other Colorado ski areas – predominately serves greater Boulder and Gilpin counties. “Fundamentally, our goal is to improve the lives of residents in these counties, and to make a difference among those who support our business.
“Beyond lip service, we’re interested in making a truly meaningful contribution, and we know the Community Foundation has in-depth knowledge in helping us direct our philanthropy countywide … wherever it’s best utilized.”
Donations to the Play It Forward Fund are directed to local nonprofits that are serving the community now. Initial grantees of the fund include:
- Canyon Cares
- Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA)
- Nederland Food Pantry
- Nederland Middle/Senior High School Parent-Teacher Association
- Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures + Eldora Mountain Ski and Snowboard Club [Singletrack Mountain Bike Adventures and Eldora Mountain Ski and Snowboard Club are both part of the LERT (Lake Eldora Racing Team) family of youth athletic programs.]
- TEENS, Inc.
- Wild Bear Nature Center
Eldora further supports our COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County with a $10K gift from Play It Forward Fund. Learn more about your Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County, and consider making a donation.
