Originally named the Vail Associates Foundation, and incorporated in 1981 as a public charity, the Vail Valley Foundation was created for the purpose of “raising and distributing funds for charitable purposes through the organization of educational, cultural, historical, artistic and athletic performances, events and attractions for the education and benefit of the community.”
Over the next two years, the name was shortened to the Vail Foundation. Then, in December of 1983, the name was officially changed to the Vail Valley Foundation in order to “reflect the scope of activities within the Foundation that are directed at the entire Vail Valley area”.
In 1982, the Foundation’s offices moved from the lodge adjacent to the Beaver Creek Information Center toThe Charter at Beaver Creek, before moving to Vail during the summer of 1986. The Foundation then made the move to Avon, in December of 1995, headquartering in the WestStar Bank building before making the move across the street to the current location on the third floor of the White River Center. The Foundation’s organizational leaders have also changed over the years, with original president John Horan-Kates being succeeded by Bob Knous, Peter O’Neil and John Garnsey before current president, Ceil Folz, took over the helm in September of 1999.
Over the years, the Vail Valley Foundation has developed a stellar list of annual programs and projects, while also spearheading the organizational efforts for major international events. Additionally, through an annual grant distribution process and capital projects such as the completion and enhancement of the Ford Amphitheater, the Foundation has totaled more than $9 million in support of local, regional and national nonprofit organizations and projects.
