Eagle Valley Community Foundation Honored with Two 2026 Vail Valley Partnership Success Awards

At Eagle Valley Community Foundation, we often say that community is built when neighbors show up for one another. This year, that spirit of connection, compassion, and collective action was recognized in an extraordinary way.

We are deeply honored to share that Eagle Valley Community Foundation was named both 2026 Nonprofit of the Year and 2026 Community Impact Organization of the Year at the Vail Valley Partnership Success Awards.

These awards belong to our entire community. They reflect the dedication of our staff, board members, volunteers, donors, partners, and the thousands of neighbors who trust us to walk alongside them through both moments of crisis and moments of hope.

We were also incredibly proud to celebrate our MIRA Outreach Lead, Monica Martinez, who was recognized as a finalist for Community Impact Individual of the Year. This recognition reflects the heart, empathy, and relentless commitment our frontline team brings to the community every single day.

Responding to a Year of Urgent Need

This past year challenged many families across Eagle County in new and difficult ways. Changes to federal programs, rising costs of living, and increasing uncertainty around immigration and public benefits created fear and instability for many of our neighbors.

In response, Eagle Valley Community Foundation expanded efforts across all three of our core programs: The Community Market, MIRA, and Elevar.

Even amid these growing challenges, The Community Market continued serving more than 4,500 individuals every single week across Eagle County — representing nearly 7% of our local population. Through storefront markets, mobile distributions, food recovery efforts, and culturally responsive food access programs, families continued to receive fresh produce, meat, dairy, and pantry staples with dignity and choice.

This year, our team also worked tirelessly to help families navigate unprecedented SNAP disruptions and benefit changes. As many households faced impossible decisions between groceries, rent, healthcare, and childcare, our staff and volunteers became trusted navigators and advocates during moments of uncertainty and fear.

At the same time, our organization played a critical role in community safety response efforts. Whether responding to emergency community needs, connecting families to trusted resources, or helping residents navigate systems that often feel overwhelming and inaccessible, our team remained committed to ensuring no one faced hardship alone.

Every day, we witnessed the power of community care in action.

Expanding Mental Health Access Through MIRA Esperanza

One of the most meaningful milestones of the year was the launch of MIRA Esperanza, a bilingual mental health initiative designed to reduce barriers to culturally responsive therapy and emotional support.

MIRA Esperanza provides free, Spanish-language behavioral health services to community members who too often face obstacles to care, including cost, transportation, stigma, and lack of culturally competent providers.

The response from the community has been profound. Families shared that for the first time, they felt seen, heard, and supported in their own language and cultural context.

This work reminds us that health equity must include mental health equity.

Investing in the Next Generation Through Elevar

This year also marked the launch of the second cohort of Elevar, our entrepreneurship and leadership accelerator focused on supporting emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers across our region.

Through mentorship, education, grant funding, and community connection, Elevar continues to help local entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable businesses and community impact initiatives.

The second cohort brought together inspiring leaders whose businesses and visions reflect the resilience, creativity, and diversity of Eagle County. From food businesses and creative enterprises to service-based ventures, these entrepreneurs are building stronger futures not only for themselves, but for their families and neighborhoods as well.

A Recognition Shared by an Entire Community

While we are incredibly grateful for these awards, we know this recognition is not about any one individual or organization. It represents what becomes possible when a community chooses collaboration over competition and belonging over isolation.

To our staff: thank you for carrying this work with compassion, professionalism, and heart. Your care for this community is visible in every interaction, every event, every long day, and every neighbor served.

To our board members: thank you for your leadership, advocacy, and belief in our mission.

To our volunteers: thank you for showing up in every season, often behind the scenes, to serve neighbors with kindness and dignity.

To our donors and funders: thank you for investing in long-term solutions and trusting us to steward resources with care and transparency.

To our community partners: thank you for standing alongside us to build a healthier, more equitable Eagle County.

And most importantly, to the families and individuals we serve: thank you for trusting us with your stories, your hopes, and your resilience. You are the reason this work matters.

As we celebrate Eagle Valley Community Foundation’s 10th anniversary, these awards serve as a reminder that community impact is never accomplished alone. It is built together, one relationship, one act of care, and one shared vision at a time.

Together, we will continue connecting community to community.