Impact Newsletter | Fall 2021

Makin� a�

IMPACT

News on how YOU make an IMPACT in our community FALL 2021

Our Ski Racing Legacy Continues

» page 2

Photos by Agence Zoom and Tom Boyd.

3 questions with Owen Hutchinson » pg 4

Visionary Circle: The Anne & Don Graubart Challenge » pg 5

AmeriCorps gives boost to YouthPower365 » pg 6

Speed

RACERS The path to Olympic glory runs through Beaver Creek Dec. 3–5 Celebrate over 50 years of World Cup ski racing in our valley.

Contact Kendra Powell at kpowell@vvf.org for event details and VIP experiences.

Photo by Agence Zoom.

2

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION | VVF.ORG

Since 1981, the Vail Valley Foundation has acted as the embodiment of our valley’s deep-rooted love of international ski racing, the incredible drama it brings, and the spotlight it shines on our community (including more than 430 million marketing impressions in a typical year).

The VVF led the way to bring the 1989, 1999, and 2015 Alpine World Championships to our community, hosted several international races throughout the ’80s and ’90s, and established the now world-famous Birds of Prey races in Beaver Creek beginning in 1997.

This year more than 100 million television viewers, globally, will tune in this December 3-5 to see the world’s greatest men’s ski racers barrel down the legendary Xfinity Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup Downhill and Super-G courses.

Here at home, thousands of race fans and more than 550 volunteers will come together with a unified vision to welcome the world to what is known by coaches, athletes, and fans, as the number one overall stop on the World Cup ski racing tour.

Baked into the Birds of Prey’s recipe for success is hardwon knowledge and experience that only comes from hosting international ski racing for more than 50 years. In fact, the Vail Valley is one of only five current stops on the World Cup Tour that also hosted a race in the World Cup’s inaugural year: 1967.

In 2021, the World Cup races will signal an emotional return to ski racing after races were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

It is a seminal OUR IMPACT date on the World $2.9M economic impact Cup calendar for racers as well.

100M television views in For the U.S. men, more than 32 nations their results will count toward 15 nations competing qualifications 128 World Cup athletes for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Ski *Based on 2019 event metrics Team.

The exquisite VIP experience is already being planned for and built. Also on tap: the highly-popular Beers of Prey tasting, concerts, “Bloody’s and Bluegrass,” sponsor activations and more in Beaver Creek Village.

This year, the Vail Valley Foundation and our partners will also celebrate 2021 Citizen of the Year Sheika Gramshammer, our soon-to-be-announced Volunteers of the Year, and pay tribute U.S. Ski Team legend Ted Ligety.

Taken together, the event and its ancillary activities are expected to provide a $3m boost to the local economy.

Detailed event plans are under way, with VIP and community sponsorships available. Learn more at bcworldcup. com or contact Kendra Powell at kpowell@vvf.org.

More than 550 volunteers unite at Xfinity Birds of Prey, creating a lifetime of memories and sparking new friendships.

Photo by Rick Lohre.

FALL 2021 | VVF.ORG

3

THREE QUESTIONS wit� Owe� Hutchin�o�

The VPAC’s Executive Director gives a sneak peek at the season ahead

What can we expect in the upcoming season?

This winter will be jam-packed in the best of ways and features a robust schedule – from the return of Broadway and family programming to legendary musicians, holiday shows and more. It feels wonderful to say that we have all of our beloved genres back in full swing: concerts, classical, dance, Broadway, comedy, family, STARS, and holiday programming. We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time now.

What are the biggest challenges the VPAC has faced during the pandemic?

How do the performing arts make an impact on our community?

The performing arts are essential to reestablishing the bonds that tie us together. People are feeling especially fortunate to be able to enjoy entertainment in these times.

We are looking forward to showing we can continue to thrive as presenters in this new era.

4

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION | VVF.ORG

“It feels wonderful to say that we have all of our beloved genres back in full swing.”

—Owen Hutchinson, VPAC Executive Director

OUR IMPACT VPAC 2021 SUMMER SEASON 5,880 tickets issued 28 events hosted 62 awards, 150 nominations Collective number of Grammy Awards represented onstage

Photos by Chris Kendig and Jon Resnick.

Well, where do I begin?

Every department of the theater has had to reimagine how we do things. Having the support from our donors and underwriters this past year, and looking forward to the future, is what has allowed us to stay positive and ahead of the curve. Without their funding, patronage and encouragement to keep our stage active we could be in a very different place.

FUTURE Anne and Don Graubart invite you to join them in supporting our community through planned giving Skiing is how many people make their first connection to our community, and the same holds true for Anne and Don Graubart.

Well, perhaps that holds true more for Don than Anne. Don grew up skiing in Vermont, and then reconnected with skiing in the late 80s, when he and Anne began visiting the Vail Valley and purchased their first home here.

Anne, on the other hand, doesn’t have quite the passion for skiing that Don has. However, Vail Valley Foundation programming is one way that Anne found a deep connection to our community. She and Don now share time between Houston and their home in Arrowhead.

“There is so much more to this community than what people may see if they visit only for a few days, on a ski vacation or a summer trip,” Anne says.

Anne and Don are both long-time supporters of the programming at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater and the Vilar Performing Arts Center. Anne, in particular, has been a valued contributor to the Vail Valley Foundation’s YouthPower365 programming.

“It’s incredibly important that all our young people have the opportunities that come with a quality education, and

Photo by Andrew Taylor.

A gi�t �o� ou�

ANNE & DON GRAUBART CHALLENGE: If YouthPower365 the opportunity to make supporters pledge the most of their lives, no $2 million in planned matter their background,” gift commitments Anne says. by next spring, Recently, the Graubarts the Graubarts have been planning for the will compliment future. the effort with a That’s why, together, significant additional they have made gift from their estate.

YouthPower365 a part of their estate planning.

Through a significant estate gift they are ensuring that their legacy of philanthropic giving continues and helps create a bright future in our community for generations to come.

“It’s hard to explain to people, who may be from a major metro area, just how enjoyable it is to be part of this small community, where you can see the impact that your giving can have, and meet the people and the families who you are supporting,” Don says.

The Graubarts have given the Vail Valley Foundation community a challenge: If YouthPower365 supporters pledge $2 million in planned gift commitments by next spring, the Graubarts will compliment the effort with a significant additional gift from their estate.

Help us meet this challenge by providing for the Vail Valley Foundation and YouthPower365 in your estate planning.

Contact Sarah Johnson at sjohnson@vvf.org to learn more about how you can leave a lasting legacy in our community through Planned Giving. Learn more about the Graubart’s challenge at vvf.org/planned-giving.

FALL 2021 | VVF.ORG

5

National �e�ou�ce�,

LOCAL IMPACT A long-sought program is under way thanks to the Vail Valley Foundation’s YouthPower365

local impact is making national news, as demonstrated by a recent column by Albert Hunt in The Hill (see: “Good ideas often originate outside D.C. – What I learned in Colorado”).

Part of YouthPower365’s notoriety stems from its ability to tap national-scale resources, then couple that with our community’s generous local philanthropic support.

The end result? Exceptional programming for Eagle County’s young people during critical non-school hours.

For a top example, look no farther than Peak Pathfinders, a new YouthPower365 and AmeriCorps program now under way. This long sought-after program took years to initiate.

Now, thanks to the continued partnership with Eagle County School District, 10 AmeriCorps service members are providing mentorship, academic support, and family engagement for Eagle County’s most at-risk students.

In Eagle County today, the effects of the pandemic mean that more students than ever are in critical need of oneon-one engagement, extended learning opportunities, and

AmeriCorps IMPACT a broad scope of support.

10 AmeriCorps Service Members are Members youthful and 17,000 contact hours energetic. They of AmeriCorps Members fill that critical helping kids trusted-adult relationship 8 schools participating that kids need to thrive. They are that person who can connect with a student when no one else can.

It’s one more example of how a small, local, nonprofit can benefit from national-level programs. It’s also one more reason why YouthPower365 is gaining local, regional, and even national attention for its outstanding work.

Learn more about how you can support YouthPower365 by contacting Euginnia Seyferth at eseyferth@vvf.org, or visit YouthPower365.org/support.

YouthPower365’s AmeriCorps Peak Pathfinders are: Bria Gayles-Greene, Tiffany Meekey, Sharon Rogers, Daniel Kinney, Nic Montuffar, Beyonce Beasley, Clara Kinnett, Olivia Ross, and Ryan English. Not pictured: Jonathan Pimentel.

6

VAIL VALLEY FOUNDATION | VVF.ORG

Photo by Ross Leonhart.

YouthPower365’s powerful, positive,

It’s time to FALL for dance!

Vail Dance Festival takes the stage at New York City Center this October during Fall for Dance Festival. The event will feature two pieces commissioned for the Vail Dance Festival, and one piece co-commissioned with New York City Center.

Roman Mejia in FANDANGO, Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky World Premiere: August 6, 2010, Vail Dance Festival The original production of FANDANGO was made possible through the support of Lucy & Steve Cookson. The 2019 restaging of FANDANGO was made possible by Judy and Howard Berkowitz.

Tiler Peck & Herman Cornejo in BLOOM, Choreography by

Justin Peck World Premiere: August 9, 2021, Vail Dance Festival BLOOM is a co-commission between Vail Dance Festival and New York City Center. BLOOM is made possible through the support of Paul Repetto & Janet Pyle, and through the Vail Dance Festival’s Artistic Reserve Fund.

Lil Buck in 38109, Choreography by Lil Buck World Premiere: August 4, 2018, Vail Dance Festival

Herman Cornejo and Tiler Peck in Justin Peck’s new work, BLOOM at the 2021 Vail Dance Festival, by Christopher Duggan.

Welcome t� � b�ighte�,

Set in the Ford Park Lower Bench, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheaterhe 2021 Magic of Lights Vail will feature many upgrades and additions.

• I nteractive elements •M ore lights and displays

•A dditional kids’ entertainment •W arm fires

•M usic

• S’Mores pits

•B everages

•“ Chill out” zones

Magic of Lights Vail will take place November 19, 2021–January 2, 2022 and tickets will go on sale in late October.

To find out more, visit magicoflightsvail.com.

Vail Valle� Foundatio�

UPCOMING EVENTS Nov. 19–Jan. 2, 2022 Magic of Lights Vail

Nov. 25, 2021 15th Annual EagleVail Turkey Trot Nov. 26, 2021 VPAC Winter Season begins Dec. 3–5, 2021 Xfinity Birds of Prey Dec. 7, 2021 Colorado Gives Day Dec. 19, 2021–Mar. 12, 2022 First Light First Tracks Feb. 18, 2022 Black Diamond Ball Learn more about ALL our upcoming VVF events at vvf.org/events.

10.15 // $25

11.4 // $32

10.21 // $30

W I TH SPECIAL GUEST

TAYLOR SCOTT BAND SAMMY MILLER AND THE CONGREGATION

10.29 // $45

SIERRA HULL

DEAD HORSES

11.11 // $25

SETH WALKER

GOLDEN DAWN ARKESTRA Disco

Cosm ic !

Hallowe en Show

970.845.TIXS

VILARPAC.ORG UNDER THE ICE RINK IN BEAVER CREEK | FREE Parking Available

Vail Valley Foundation

Phone 970.777.2015

Fax 970.949.9265

Avon, CO 81620

Email info@vvf.org

Join us on:

Volunteer. Donate. Connect. vvf.org

P.O. Box 6550 90 Benchmark Road, Suite 300