SETTING THE STAGE FOR TOMORROW
Major enhancements coming to the Vilar Performing Arts Center following unveiling of new strategic plan >> page 3
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
Ultra running, speed climbing and more added to the 2025 GoPro Mountain Games >> page 5
THE PERKS OF GIVING
Exclusive donor benefits and legacy planning opportunities await this summer >> page 10
Photo by John-Ryan Lockman.
A NEW ACT BEGINS
Strategic enhancements will position the Vilar Performing Arts Center for an encore-worthy future
Fresh off its most successful season to date, the Vilar Performing Arts Center is preparing to take its guest experience to the next level. This spring, construction begins on several key facility enhancements that will elevate the venue for artists and audiences alike.
The improvements are part of a bold three-year strategic plan built on four transformative pillars: elevating programming to new heights, deepening community inspiration through expanded arts access, championing the performing arts through enhanced experiences, and ensuring long-term organizational sustainability.
“As we implement our strategic plan, we’re setting the stage for the Vilar to continue its legacy as a world-class entertainment venue while expanding the impact we have in our community,” said Cameron Morgan, Executive Director of the Vilar. “These meaningful improvements will enhance every aspect of the performing arts experience, from arrival to encore.”
Photos by John-Ryan Lockman and Chris Kendig.
Construction will begin in April on a completely reimagined Upper Lobby Bar, creating an even more welcoming pre-show and intermission space for guests. A new coat check room will provide added convenience, while behind-the-scenes transformations of the green room and dressing rooms will create more comfortable spaces for artists.
These enhancements are part of a larger plan to invest $5.5 million in the facility through capital improvements over the next five years, all designed to elevate the Vilar’s position as one of the country’s premier performing arts venues.
“What started as a vision to bring world-class performing arts to the Vail Valley more than a quarter-century ago has blossomed into a true cultural jewel,” said Mike Imhof, President of the Vail Valley Foundation. “These strategic investments will catapult the Vilar into another caliber of excellence, ensuring it continues to inspire and delight audiences for years to come.”
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Here is a preview of the Vilar’s summer season. To see the complete lineup of summer shows, visit vilarpac.org/events.
JUNE 28 | Elvis Costello & The Imposters
JULY 14 | Jake Shimabukuro
JULY 30 | Rhiannon Giddens & The Old-Time Revue
AUGUST 15 | Bachman-Turner Overdrive
AUGUST 28 | Keb’ Mo’ | Shawn Colvin
But first, still to come this spring! Don’t miss:
APRIL 1 | CIRCA: Humans 2.0
APRIL 2 | Bill Frisell Trio—LiveintheMayGallery
APRIL 6 & 7 | Champions of Magic
APRIL 10 | AJ Lee & Blue Summit + The Fretliners
Learn more about the Vilar’s strategic plan by visiting vilarpac.org/vilar-strategic-plan.
Ready to be part of the Vilar’s future through annual giving, underwriting, or naming opportunities? Contact Miah Wheeler at mwheeler@vvf.org.
Photo by John-Ryan Lockman.
SPRINGING INTO A NEW SEASON
with Après at The Amp
Spring is just around the corner, and that means the return of Après at The Amp at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater April 4–5. Now in its third year, this signature festival has quickly become the unofficial kickoff to spring in the Valley, combining world-class skiing with unforgettable live music at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, plus pop-up DJ sets on Vail Mountain and throughout Vail Village.
This year features an impressive international lineup of electronic, dance, and indie artists. Headliners include French nu-disco sensation L’Impératrice, British electronic trio Jungle (DJ Set), indie rock phenomenon Goth Babe, and UK house DJ Sammy Virji.
By extending programming into the spring months, The Amp has established itself as a true three-season venue, creating new opportunities for locals and visitors alike to
SOUNDS OF SUMMER
This summer promises to be filled with music. The Vail Valley Foundation is gearing up for another legendary Amp Summer Concert season, alongside an incredible array of free live music across the Valley to bring the community together.
From the Bulleit Hot Summer Nights series at The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater to the Town of Eagle’s ShowDown Town in Eagle Town Park, music lovers can enjoy FREE performances Valley-wide all summer long.
Add to that The Amp’s stellar roster featuring O.A.R., Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, and many other incredible acts, and this summer is sure to be an unforgettable celebration of live music under the stars.
experience world-renowned entertainment in our mountain paradise.
When the music begins to play and concert-goers fill The Amp, it’s a clear signal that a new season is here.
Learn about how you can support the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater through donations or corporate sponsorships. Contact Stephen Licciardi at slicciardi@vvf.org to get involved.
Making their AMP DEBUTS this summer
MAY 25
Leon Bridges
JUNE 1
Louis C.K.
JUNE 20
Blind Melon
AUGUST 8 & 9
The String Cheese Incident
AUGUST 12
Melissa Etheridge
AUGUST 17
Wilco
AUGUST 26
Ray LaMontagne
SEPTEMBER 13
The Black Crowes
Explore The Amp’s full summer schedule at grfavail.com/events. Watch for the complete Hot Summer Nights and ShowDown Town lineups in April, plus more performance announcements coming soon.
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GAME ON
Elevating outdoor adventure at the GoPro Mountain Games
Following a record-breaking year, the GoPro Mountain Games returns June 5–8, with several exciting additions that will push the boundaries of mountain sport competition.
New this year is the addition of the YETI Speed Climbing competition and the inaugural Vail Ultra, a challenging 50-mile course benefitting 50 for the Fallen. These events join more than 35 competitions across 11 disciplines.
2025 also marks the debut of the Mountain Games Athlete Team, featuring nine exceptional athletes across multiple disciplines who will serve as ambassadors for the event.
Beyond the competitions, Mountains of Music will fill Vail with incredible performances, from Vail Village to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and beyond. And the CoLab Stage is back for its third year, bringing together creators, musicians, athletes, and outdoor personalities for a unique celebration of mountain lifestyle.
The all-new Mountain Games app will launch in May, allowing attendees to curate their own festival experience. Download the app from the Apple and Google Play stores before the event and get ready for four days of unforgettable fun.
Photos by Jon Resnick and Dan Davis.
Tickets for the 2025 Vail Dance Festival are on sale now! To purchase tickets and view the full schedule, visit vaildance.org.
ART IN MOTION Vail
Dance Festival prepares for an ambitious 37th season
The Vail Dance Festival will bring two weeks of world-class artistry and innovation to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater July 25–August 5 with a record-setting 14 performances.
The expanded season reflects the Festival’s continued growth and its role as one of the world’s premier dance events. The 2025 program will include a 20th anniversary performance from BalletX, the return of a community-driven piece with award-winning choreographer Larry Keigwin, and much more.
The Festival will continue to make dance accessible with educational and community programs, including master classes, free public events, and opportunities to engage directly with artists.
For underwriting opportunities or to learn more about supporting the Vail Dance Festival, contact Martha Brassel at mbrassel@vvf.org.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP GETS A MAKEOVER
YouthPower365 is reimagining middle school summer camp with a three-part program running from June 16–July 3 designed specifically for kids entering sixth, seventh, and eighth grades
For week one, YouthPower365 is partnering with One Soccer for a revamped Soccer Camp, giving campers the opportunity to train with elite soccer coaches from across the globe.
Week two will take campers’ skills from the field to the kitchen with a Future Chefs & Career Camp. The hands-on summer adventure will allow kids to explore the culinary arts while discovering a wide range of career opportunities.
The final week will feature the Ultimate Exploration Camp, inviting campers to step outside their comfort zones and dive into new experiences. From navigating the great outdoors to solving exciting challenges or discovering hidden gems in the community, every day will bring a new adventure.
For more information on YouthPower365’s summer camp programs, including how to apply, selection criteria, fees, and more, visit youthpower365.org.
Photo by Christopher Duggan.
Photo by Chris Kendig.
BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Construction on a new early childhood education and development center in Avon is currently planned to break ground this summer, thanks to the incredible spirit of collaboration that makes this Valley special. With trusted local builder RA Nelson at the helm of construction, a high-quality childcare operator secured, and land generously donated by the Town of Avon, we are creating something truly transformative for local families. This milestone project represents a direct response to one of the community’s most pressing needs and is made possible through the steadfast support of partners and donors who understand that investing in early childhood education means investing in the Eagle River Valley’s future.
To learn more about this exciting project, contact VVF President Mike Imhof at mimhof@vvf.org.
IMPACT IN ACTION
Stories from Our Community
We are highlighting supporters on our blog, to celebrate our amazing donors who make our work possible.
The inaugural profile spotlights Harry and Susan Frampton, whose four decades of visionary leadership helped establish the VVF as a mainstay organization in the community. Their sustained commitment has fostered long-term growth and stability, proving that when people come together with shared purpose, extraordinary things are possible.
Visit vvf.org/blog to read the Framptons’ compelling story of community impact and stay tuned for more donor highlights in the coming months.
by
Rendering courtesy of Zehren and Associates, Inc .
Photo
Chris Kendig.
“They are a lightning rod for positive change.”
—Chris Jarnot, VVF Board of Directors Chair
SUE & MIKE RUSHMORE
NAMED 2025 VAIL VALLEY CITIZENS OF THE YEAR
Can an entrepreneurial approach be applied to help build a better community? The answer is yes, and no one embodies this idea better than Eagle County residents Sue and Mike Rushmore.
Their vision and energy have impacted the Eagle River Valley’s nonprofit world in many ways. They have looked for areas of need, filled those needs, built new
programs and organizations, and bolstered existing ones. The end result is an impressive list of remarkable, positive outcomes for our community. For their many contributions, we are proud to recognize Sue and Mike Rushmore as the 2025 Vail Valley Citizens of the Year
The Vail Valley Citizen of the Year Award is one of the highest honors in
the community, awarded since 1981 to citizens who have provided broad support, vision, and leadership to the betterment of the Valley. Although we manage this prestigious award, it is not exclusively awarded to an individual or individuals involved with the VVF. Recipients must show many years of dedication, leadership, and contributions to multiple nonprofits spanning a myriad of causes, and
Photo by Chris Kendig.
their efforts and impact must stand the test of time.
“Our community is incredibly fortunate that Sue and Mike decided to establish roots, and to work tirelessly to make a positive difference here,” said Mike Imhof, President of the Vail Valley Foundation. “They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our nonprofit landscape, and they know how to take something from vision to successful reality.”
The Rushmores have longstanding ties to the Valley. Sue’s family started skiing here in 1965, and Sue and Mike continued the tradition with their children, eventually buying their first place in 2002. In 2011, Sue and Mike made Vail their primary residence.
“The Rushmores have had an incredible and outsized, positive, impact on our community,” said Chris Jarnot,
“Imagine if we all just took one page out of their philanthropy handbook—the impact would be immense!”
—Diana Scherr, Colorado Mountain College
ail Valley Foundation Board of Directors Chair. “They inspire those around them, they are hands-on, and because they are such goodhearted people, everyone is always eager and excited to work with them.”
In 2015, Mike founded the Eagle Valley Community Foundation to address the most pressing needs in the Valley. The first area of focus was food insecurity which was addressed through
IN MEMORIAM JAY PRECOURT
Jay Precourt was a generous donor across every area of the Vail Valley Foundation’s mission for nearly 35 years, with a special place in his heart for YouthPower365’s educational programs. In addition to Jay’s philanthropic support of the VVF, he was exceedingly generous to many other nonprofits in the community and across Colorado.
In his final years, Jay showed incredible support for mental and behavioral health efforts in Eagle County though Vail Health and Eagle Valley Behavioral Health. In 2017, Jay was awarded the Vail Valley Citizen of the Year Award—one of the community’s highest honors.
Jay passed away in September 2024. He will be missed by all.
The Community Market, providing healthy food for those in need.
Education has always been a priority for the Rushmores. Sue serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Guardian Scholars, mentoring students and helping them build networks and connections.
The Rushmores have brought their enthusiasm and leadership to a wide range of organizations, including the Vail Valley Foundation’s YouthPower365, Colorado Mountain College’s early childhood teacher education program, Roundup River Ranch, and the Vail Veterans Program, among others.
Congratulations, Sue and Mike!
Read Sue and Mike’s full story at vvf.org/blog.
Photo courtesy of the Precourt Family.
JULY 15, 2025
Star Dancing Gala at Signature Aviation in Gypsum
Tickets on sale soon! Learn more at stardancinggala.com.
SECURE YOUR FUTURE, SUPPORT OUR MISSION
The Power of Charitable Gift Annuities
As temperatures warm and summer draws closer, VVF donors will soon be able to enjoy exclusive benefits such as premium reserved seating, dedicated parking, and more—all while securing their financial future and supporting the Valley’s vibrant cultural offerings and community programs. Through a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) with the VVF, you can have the best of both worlds: supporting our mission while providing you with guaranteed income for life and an array of donor benefits.
When you establish a CGA, you’ll receive:
• Guaranteed fixed income for life, regardless of market conditions
• Immediate charitable tax deduction
• Potential tax-free annuity payments
• Capital gains tax savings when using appreciated assets
Learn more about donor benefits at vvf.org/giving-levels
Your CGA contribution goes toward our General Fund, which powers our vision for creating an extraordinary mountain community with quality of life for all.
As a thank you, you’ll be able to take advantage of some exclusive donor perks.
• Exclusive access to purchase premium reserved seats for concerts at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
• Access to the VVF Donor Concierge for ticketing requests and benefit fulfillment
• Summer parking pass at the Ford Parking Lot for performances at The Amp
• Tickets to Bravo! Vail and the Vail Dance Festival
Ready to learn more? Contact Director of Philanthropy Stephen Licciardi at slicciardi@vvf.org to explore how a CGA can work for you or visit vvf.planmylegacy.org.
Photos
2024: A YEAR TO REMEMBER
Celebrating our milestones and community impact
The Vail Valley Foundation reached unprecedented heights in 2024. With an astounding $70M in economic impact and more than 300,000 participants in our events, performances, and programs, we touched more lives than ever before.
The Vilar Performing Arts Center and Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater both experienced their most successful seasons to date. The Hot Summer Nights free concert series earned national recognition when it was crowned the #1 Outdoor Concert Series by USA Today’s 10Best
The Vail Dance Festival continues to push artistic boundaries, doubling its livestream audience in 2024 while
adding 12 new works to its repertoire. The GoPro Mountain Games also set new records, drawing more than 95,000 spectator visits.
History was made at the Stifel Birds of Prey, with the men’s and women’s Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races taking place on back-to-back weekends – a first for the legendary course. The electric 10-day festival featured worldclass racing, nonstop entertainment, and the return of Olympic legend Lindsey Vonn as a forerunner.
4,200 youth participated in YouthPower365’s educational programs in 2024. The Magic Bus mobile preschool achieved a prestigious level four Colorado Shines rating,
positioning it among the Valley’s top early childhood education providers.
Plans for a new early childhood education center in Avon are taking shape. In the fall of 2024, we entered a preconstruction agreement with RA Nelson to build the facility. This March, we selected a facility operator, marking a significant milestone in addressing the community’s critical childcare needs.
Read more about our 2024 successes at annual-report-2024.vvf.org.
Enclosed is your copy of IMPACT—the newsletter for supporters of the Vail Valley Foundation.
CONTACT US
Please reach out to a member of the VVF philanthropy team if you have questions or would like to learn more about the various ways you can support the VVF.
Peter Barclay Senior Director of Development Strategy and Operations pbarclay@vvf.org
Bailey Nelson Philanthropy Manager bnelson@vvf.org
Martha Brassel Senior Director of Philanthropy mbrassel@vvf.org
Kendra Powell Director of Donor Engagement kpowell@vvf.org
Vail Valley Foundation P.O. Box 6550, Avon, CO 81620 90 Benchmark Road, Suite 300, Avon, CO 81620
Whitney Smith Director of Philanthropy wsmith@vvf.org
Stephen Licciardi Director of Philanthropy slicciardi@vvf.org
Miah Wheeler Director of Philanthropy mwheeler@vvf.org