Endowments

Endowment funds are designed to ensure long-term financial stability for non-profit organizations.  The Vail Valley Foundation invests its endowment funds, which are commingled with one another, in effort to achieve a high return on investment for its endowment donors. The goal of the Foundation is to secure enough funding so that a significant portion of the programming and operational needs of the programs of the Foundation can be supported in perpetuity. The Foundation is dependent upon the vision and generosity of individuals, organizations, foundations and corporations to ensure its future through support of existing and establishment of new endowment funds.  A list of all current Vail Valley Foundation endowments and desired endowments can be found below.

General Initiative Endowments:
General VVF Endowment Fund - In effort to support in perpetuity the Vail Valley Foundation’s mission to enhance our mountain community through athletics, education and the arts, the General VVF Endowment has been created.  Gifts to this fund will touch all areas of the Foundation, and secure the well-being of the Vail  Valley, by generating unrestricted interest income for lifetimes to come.

Community Initiative Endowment Fund - The Vail Valley Foundation has long been committed to providing annual grant funds to other qualified non-profit organizations. Through its annual grant distribution, the Vail Valley Foundation has provided over $2 million to deserving organizations. Donations to the Community Initiative Endowment Fund are utilized to increase funding to qualified non-profit organizations.

Cultural Art Endowments:
Vilar Performing Arts Center (VPAC)  Endowment Fund - The VPAC  is a year-round facility requiring on-going maintenance in order to remain a state-of-the-art performing arts venue. Moreover, as the VPAC aspires to continually improve the quality of its performances, it must address escalating programming costs.  It is imperative to provide performers with the most technically sound infrastructure, while compensating them for the exceptional cultural experiences that they bring to the Vail  Valley. Contributions to this endowment will ensure long-term performance success in the face of venue wear and performance cost inflation.

Endowment Fund for Cultural Programming -  The Vail Valley Foundation is committed to the enhancement of cultural programming throughout our community. Contributions to the Cultural Programming Endowment Fund will ensure the continued development of the Vail International Dance Festival, as well as the development of cultural programs and free concert series’ that reach into all of the communities that make up the Vail  Valley.

Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Endowments:
Endowment Fund for Capital Improvements and Maintenance - The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater underwent a $9.65 million renovation in 2000-2001. This maintenance fund was created immediately following the project to ensure this beautiful facility is protected and maintained for years to come.

Endowment Fund for Ford Amphitheatre Programming - Since the opening of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater 14 years ago, the diversity and range of entertainers has grown dramatically. It is the goal of the Vail Valley Foundation to ensure excellence in programming for future generations. Performances of the highest caliber will be supported through this endowment fund earmarked for programming excellence.  This endowment fund will also enable the Foundation to lend the amphitheater for use by local performing arts groups.

Education Endowments:
Currently there are no endowments that exist for the benefit of the Foundation’s educational initiatives.  However, it is a priority of the Foundation to establish named scholarship endowments from donors willing to make a $100,000 gift (payable over negotiated period of time).  The Foundation also desires to establish an endowment fund to support in perpetuity both its Gold Star Giving Program and the VPAC STARS (Supporting The Arts Reaching Students) Program.  For information on making a leadership gift to help the Foundation in this way, please contact Director of Development, Matt Spencer, at 970.949.1999.