Empowering Possibility Capital Mid-Campaign Report
Mid-Campaign Report | February 28, 2026
We are pleased to report continued progress toward our campaign goal. To date, we have raised $43 million of our $74 million goal—58% of our target. Following is a summary of our achievements so far, including a detailed look at funds raised and progress across each campaign initiative.
Our campaign will empower possibility and will propel our community forward in the areas of arts, athletics, education, and community supports.
TRANSFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Vilar Performing Arts Center and Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater are two of our Valley’s greatest assets. These iconic venues are powerful economic drivers for our community. The type, caliber, and volume of programming that are now offered at our venues have eclipsed our facilities’ infrastructures. We envision capital
SUSTAINING OUR SKI RACING LEGACY
The Vail Valley has built an international ski racing legacy over more than 50 years of producing world-class events. Since 1981, the VVF has been the steward of these events. We have the opportunity to ensure our ski racing legacy not only lives on but expands to include men’s and women’s FIS World Cup racing under a festival structure
improvements that will ensure a grand future for our iconic venues. These improvements will significantly improve the experience of our guests, allow us to attract the greatest artists in the world, extend our programming seasons, and offer even more diverse programming during our peak and off seasons.
unmatched anywhere in the world. We will ensure ongoing support for our world-class ski racing festival to include men’s and women’s World Cup races, VIP experiences, live entertainment, and more. This investment in our festival will create stronger economic footing and secure our place in the world of international racing for decades to come.
EMPOWERING POSSIBILITIES FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES
The needs of the youth and families of our community are great. While Youth Power programming strives to meet those needs, our Valley does not have reliable and consistent resources to meet the current needs or accommodate growth. Our Valley does not have a family and youth engagement center to provide a permanent place to reach our constituents, nor does it have enough
BUILDING COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
The Eagle River Valley is classified as a childcare desert. The lack of affordable and accessible childcare is at a crisis level. Currently, we can only provide childcare for 50% of the need in our Valley. We desperately need highquality, incremental, affordable, and accessible childcare.
indoor or outdoor year-round athletics facilities to meet the needs of today. We can provide a quantum step forward in facilities, scholarship funding, and program expansion, specifically in the areas of year-round soccer, family engagement, and academic support, and a permanent home for Youth Power located Down Valley to best meet the needs of the youth and families we serve.
The VVF is uniquely positioned to embrace private and public partnerships to bring together local businesses, government, and private partners to build a high-quality childcare facility in Avon.
CAMPAIGN REVENUE SUMMARY
To date, the campaign has raised $43 million of our $74 million goal from a broad base of supporters:
• Individuals: $26.8M (148 donors)
• Foundations & Grantors: $9.1M (14 partners)
• Local Businesses: $5.2M (6 partners)
• Government Partners: $1.9M (5 partners)
We have made significant progress in three of our four campaign pillars. Arts, athletics, and community supports are doing well, but we have not made significant progress with our Youth Power campaign initiative due to not yet having land secured. We have achieved 60% of our $30 million goal to transform arts and entertainment, fueled by generous individual support and a $5 million commitment through our partnership with Bravo! Vail. The Vilar Performing Arts Center capital improvements are now fully funded.
Thanks to a transformational gift from Karen and John Arnold, the Ski Racing Legacy Fund has been funded in full.
In the building community supports pillar, we have reached 92% of our funding goal for the Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center, supported by both individual donors and institutional partners.
Finally, with a $500,000 seed gift from Amy and Steve Coyer, the VVF launched the Youth Power Scholarship Fund and continues to build momentum with additional donor support. We are focusing our efforts on securing land for our Family & Youth Engagement and Community Soccer & Athletics Center. Once land is secured, we feel confident we can raise the funds needed.
FUNDRAISING DETAIL
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Creek Resort Company Bravo! Vail
El Pomar Foundation
Frechette Family Foundation
Hubbard Family Foundation
David & Molly Pyott Foundation
Scrooby Foundation
ACHIEVEMENTS:
• Vilar Performing Arts Center renovations fully funded
• $5M commitment from Bravo! Vail toward the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
• Carol F. Storr Endowment for Classical Ballet $2M of $4M raised
SUSTAINING OUR SKI RACING LEGACY
Goal: $10M
Status: 100% Funded
A transformational $10M gift from Karen and John Arnold fully capitalized the Ski Racing Legacy Fund. This investment secures a permanent calendar position for a men’s and women’s FIS World Cup festival in Beaver Creek, generating an estimated $6M+ annual economic impact and reinforcing the Valley’s global reputation in elite alpine racing.
EMPOWERING POSSIBILITY FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES
Pomar Foundation Frechette Family Foundation
Valley Foundation
Goal: $18M
KEY UPDATES:
• Youth Power Scholarship Fund: $1M of $5M raised
• $500K seed gift from Amy and Steve Coyer
• $815,306 awarded to 23 students since 2021
Raised: $2.2M (12%)
• Family & Youth Engagement and Community Soccer & Athletics Center:
Raised: $12.4M (75%) (does not include In-Kind Donations)
• Remaining Gap: ~$1.1M
• $7M in-kind land contribution from the Town of Avon (50-year, $1 lease)
• Government support from Eagle County Government, State of Colorado, Town of Avon, and Town of Vail
• Announcement of the Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center name, honoring Avon’s agricultural heritage and marking a major milestone for the new early learning facility opening in fall 2026.
• Opening Target: Fall 2026
• Employer-sponsored model launched with Alpine Bank, Vail Health, Sonnenalp Hotel, Eagle County Government, RA Nelson, Town of Avon, Town of Vail, and Vail Health
CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES:
• Foundation complete
• Framing, walls, and steel underway
• On schedule for substantial completion by September 1, 2026
CAMPAIGN SPENDING SUMMARY
TRANSFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Vilar Performing Arts Center Renovations
To date, the VVF has fully expended the 25th anniversary funds totaling $2,398,717 to support capital improvements at the Vilar Performing Arts Center.
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Renovations
To date, the VVF has incurred $1.1 Million in project-related expenditures.
SUSTAINING OUR SKI RACING LEGACY
John & Karen Arnold Ski Racing Legacy Fund
Carol F. Storr Endowment for Classical Ballet
To date, the VVF has incurred $83,850 in project-related expenditures.
Vail Dance Festival Artistic Direction Endowment
To date, this project has not incurred any expenditures.
250,000 spending pending approval from the spending committee.
EMPOWERING POSSIBILITY FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES
Family & Youth Engagement and Community Soccer & Athletics Center
To date, this project has not incurred any expenditures.
Youth Power Scholarship Fund
To date, the VVF has incurred $815,306 in project-related expenditures.
BUILDING COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center
As of January 31, the VVF has incurred $5,516,000 in project-related expenditures.
Youth Power Operational Fund for Education & Sports
To date, this project has not incurred any expenditures.
Patch Early Leanring Center Housing & Tuition Assitance Fund
To date, this project has not incurred any expenditures.
Lettuce
CONCLUSION & NEXT STEPS
The Empowering Possibility Campaign continues to advance with strong momentum across all initiatives. With significant progress made to date, and several major milestones on the horizon, the coming year will be pivotal in bringing these projects to completion and ensuring they deliver lasting impact for our community. As we move into the next phase, our priorities will focus on closing remaining funding gaps, completing active construction projects, and securing the long-term sustainability of our programs through strategic endowment growth. Our immediate next steps follow.
• Complete Fundraising for the Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center
Close the remaining $1.1 Million gap to fully fund the Eagle River Valley Childcare Center construction and support its successful launch.
• Secure Land for the Family & Youth Engagement and Community Soccer & Athletics Center
Continue identifying and evaluating viable land options to initiate this critical project and advance the $18 Million campaign for facilities, operations, and scholarships.
• Complete Phase 1 of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater Renovation
Deliver Phase 1, including new seating, hand railings, and infrastructure improvements, by the scheduled completion date of April 9, 2026.
• Open the Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center in Avon
Prepare for a successful opening by October 2026 ensuring operational readiness, community outreach, and partner alignment.
• Raise $3 Million for Lettuce Patch Early Learning Center Housing & Tuition Assistance Fund
Secure all necessary funding by December 2026 to support the center’s workforce and tuition affordability.
• Complete Funding for Vail Dance Festival Endowments
Reach full endowment capitalization by December 2027, solidifying long-term artistic excellence and program sustainability.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
We are sincerely appreciative of your generosity and you have our commitment that we will responsibly steward your support to maximize the community impact you expect and deserve.
Thank you for joining the Vail Valley Foundation’s transformational, once-in-a-generation campaign. Together we will empower new possibilities and take one giant step toward our vision of an extraordinary mountain community with quality of life for all.
With respect and gratitude,
To learn more about the Vail Valley Foundation’s Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign, please contact Mike Imhof at 970.748.5917 or Peter Barclay at 970.748.5930.
