Copper Mountain Resort Matching Challenge, raised $155,000 to Secure a Strong, Sustainable Future for Lake County Residents
Leadville, Colorado, March 7—The Lake County Community Fund (LCCF) announced today that for the fifth year, it has exceeded the goal to raise and match dollar-for-dollar the $50,000 Copper Mountain Resort challenge grant. The fundraising effort is part of a larger eight-year grant and endowment campaign for Lake County, with a goal to raise $1.5 million to secure a strong, sustainable future for the residents of the greater Lake County communities.
“It’s a testament to the ongoing generosity and commitment of the Community Fund donors that they have exceeded their fundraising goal for the fifth year in a row,” said Dustin Lyman, president and general manager of Copper Mountain. “With many of our employees calling Lake County home, it’s gratifying to see the grant’s impact in fostering a sustainable future for the vibrant communities of greater Lake County.”
With the Copper Mountain grant, LCCF will award $25,000 in 2024 to Lake County nonprofits engaged in outdoor adventure education, development of lifetime sports skills, and environmental causes. Copper Mountain’s gift is part of the resort’s Play Forever corporate responsibility commitment to protect the environment and support the community. Through Play Forever, Copper Mountain supports local initiatives that enable a stronger community and create welcoming places for all to live the adventure lifestyle.
In the five years of the Copper Mountain Resort challenge grant, 662 matching contributions plus the Copper Mountain contribution have raised $985,774.
“I want to express our appreciation to the 127 individual, corporate, and foundation donors who helped us to exceed the $50,000 goal,” said LCCF Board President Melissa Kendrick. “Copper’s commitment to supporting and promoting its community is a wonderful example of
corporate philanthropy. This commitment during another very challenging year is inspiring others to support the Lake County community.
Through Copper Mountain’s “Play it Forward” focus on supporting grants that will develop a love of outdoor adventure and protect our natural environment, we are very grateful they are raising the bar for what it means to support the communities where their employees live.”
In 2023, the fourth year of the program, six Lake County nonprofit organizations were recipients of the Copper Mountain grant.
Lake County is an integral part of the regional Colorado community. More than 70 percent of the Lake County workforce is employed in Summit and Eagle Counties. Copper Mountain, a POWDR resort located in Summit County, employs more than 400 residents of
Lake County. Through the gift from Copper Mountain, supporters are giving back to Leadville and Lake County in immeasurable ways.
The Lake County Community Fund serves 7,778 community members in Lake County by providing a source of nonprofit funds to support local programs, projects and assets. Individuals who wish to give to a charity that supports the Lake County community can contribute to the fund and know their donation is going to a trusted source. Leadville and Twin Lakes nonprofits can apply for grants through the Fund to further their missions which include the arts, environment, education, youth, health, community development, and more.
The Copper Mountain challenge gift includes $50,000 in annual, one-for-one matching contributions to the Lake County Community Fund over a five-year period beginning in 2019. A portion of the gift will support the Lake County Community Fund endowment, a permanent
fund to support sustainability for the Lake County community. Another portion will be dedicated to supporting Lake County nonprofit organizations focused on outdoor adventure education and the development of lifetime sports skills, in addition to environmental initiatives. Criteria for these grants have been announced, and Leadville and Twin Lakes nonprofits may apply for grants to further their important missions.