Established in 2015, Eagle Valley Community Foundation (EVCF) (originally Our Community Foundation) was created by and for the people of the Eagle River Valley. The original intent continues today – to address critical community issues that can foster more equitable outcomes for residents who live, work, and play in our beautiful mountain environment.
EVCF’s Founder, Mike Rushmore , listened to the concerns of engaged community residents and gathered feedback from indi- viduals about disparities that prevented many households from fully thriving in our community. Interested In making positive change and believing that philanthropy has role to play in ensuring the overall well-being of community residents, Mike set out to work with a group of generous founders. In partnership with Seth Ehrlich and Jason Denhart, Eagle Valley Community Foun- dation was initiated to amplify the voices of those who are most impacted by long-standing disparities.
Hiring their first staff member, Susie Davis, brought this vision into fruition. Through her dedication, inspiration, and commitment to strengthen the ties that connect all of us together, the Foundation focused on the gaps in services that exist for the most under-resourced community members. Susie’s leadership, extensive expertise in the nonprofit sector and her dedication to making the community a better place to live, work and play, quickly accelerated Eagle Valley Community Foundation into a thriving and formidable nonprofit organization.
In 2020, Melina Valsecia took over as the Executive Director of the Eagle Valley Community Foundation. With broad experience in community organizing, advocacy and strengthening leadership of the Latinx community, Melina has a vision to build an inclusive community where the Latinx population in Eagle County is empowered as leaders and where economic opportunity, innovation, and the ability to thrive within Eagle County can be attained by ALL community members, where everyone belongs.
In conjunction with inspirational leadership and the generosity of a group of supportive founding families who stepped up and made an initial investment, Eagle Valley Community Foundation, keeps an ear to the ground to respond to the most emergent needs that arise within the community with dignity, equity, and a creating sense of belonging.
The Vail Valley Partnership, the valley’s chamber of commerce, celebrates the best of the local business community with its success awards. Most of the winners were selected by a committee of former winners, but a couple of winners were honored by the Partnership’s leadership.
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