Elevating local community members to lead and excel.

The Elevar Program

Elevar, a program of Eagle Valley Community Foundation, is designed to elevate local entrepreneurs and community leaders by helping them grow both personally and professionally. At its core, Elevar focuses on empowering people of color, immigrants, and individuals from low-income backgrounds who are developing business ideas, growing small businesses, launching social enterprises, or leading community-centered projects that benefit Eagle County.

Elevar provides a pathway of support for entrepreneurs at different stages of growth. Through training, mentorship, networking, leadership development, and access to capital, the program helps participants strengthen their business ideas, build confidence, communicate their vision, and grow as leaders in the community.

Startup Elevar: The First Step in the Elevar Journey

New this year, Elevar launched Startup Elevar, a 4-week preparation program designed to help entrepreneurs clarify and strengthen their ideas before the full launch of the ALUNA course and official Elevar cohort selection.

Startup Elevar is ideal for entrepreneurs and small business owners who have a business idea, are just getting started, or want to grow their business but need support organizing and communicating their vision. This introductory program helps participants better understand their business purpose, audience, goals, and community impact while also strengthening their future Elevar application.

The Elevar Cohort

Following Startup Elevar, participants may move into the next steps of the Elevar process, including interviews, evaluation, and potential selection for the official Elevar cohort and ALUNA course.

Each year, Elevar selects a cohort of entrepreneurs for a more intensive experience that includes mentorship, specialized curriculum, leadership development, and capital support to help advance their ventures. The cohort model is designed not only to support business success, but also to cultivate entrepreneurs as community leaders who contribute to a more inclusive and thriving local economy.

Community-Led Leadership

Elevar is guided by a diverse Steering Committee that plays a central role in shaping leadership development, supporting cohort selection, and guiding community investments. This community-led approach ensures that Elevar remains grounded in lived experience, local knowledge, and the real needs of entrepreneurs in Eagle County.

Join the Elevar Steering Committee

Elevar is recruiting new Steering Committee members to help shape opportunities for entrepreneurs and emerging leaders in Eagle County. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, and complementary strengths.

Steering Committee members bring community perspective to Elevar’s strategy, curriculum, mentorship, and outreach. They also support committee projects and events, help build community connections, and may review applications and participate in candidate interviews when authorized.

Commitment and compensation: Members contribute approximately 10 hours per month, including preparation, generally two committee meetings, and relevant activities. Meetings are scheduled by the Elevar Program Manager and may be attended in person or remotely when appropriate. Members receive a flat $400 monthly contractor stipend, subject to the member agreement and EVCF’s payment procedures. This is not an employee position or an hourly rate.

We’re looking for people with collaborative leadership, sound judgment, knowledge of the Eagle County communities Elevar serves, and experience in entrepreneurship, business development, mentorship, or community leadership. Spanish and English skills are valuable, but no specific language background is required.

Interested in joining? Complete the Elevar Steering Committee Candidate Application. The application is available in English and Spanish.

2026 Elevar Steering Committee

Cecilia Galardo

Dayana Garcia

Dayana brings a strong background in finance, with a career focused on expanding access to financial knowledge and opportunity. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs navigate systems that can often feel complex or out of reach. Through her role on the Steering Committee, she looks forward to mentoring cohort members and helping bridge the gap between financial institutions and community-based businesses—ensuring resources are not only available, but approachable and empowering.

Monica Gonzalez

As both a business owner and a graduate of Elevar’s second cohort, Monica brings a powerful full-circle perspective to the Steering Committee. She built her business from the ground up and understands firsthand the resilience required to succeed as an entrepreneur. Her experience in Elevar is what inspired her to give back—she is passionate about mentoring others as they launch and grow their businesses, and believes that resilience, community, and a positive mindset are key to long-term success.

Rocio Martinez

Rocio Martinez is an Ayurveda consultant, local yoga instructor, and owner of Gula Wellness. Rocio holds a Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda Wellness and Integrative Medicine and became a certified Maharishi Ayurveda Happy Healthy Mother Baby Practitioner. As the owner of a health apothecary, she believes in the power of plant-based medicine, harmony with nature, our bodies, and our minds to be the core of healing.

Luz Parra

Cindy Ramos

Ricardo Salazar

As a graduate of Elevar’s second cohort, Ricardo also brings a full-circle perspective to the Steering Committee. Having experienced the program as an entrepreneur, he is passionate about giving back and supporting others on a similar path. As a local business owner, he understands the importance of trust, consistency, and relationship-building, and is excited to mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Deisy Vazquez

Our Partners

Thank you to our partners who are committed to supporting entrepreneurs building sustainable and impactful businesses in the Eagle Valley community.

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See all of our Partners

Our Community Market team can’t wait to see you at MIRA’s Health Fair! 💚

Join us for a free dinner, activities for kids, health and wellness resources, and the chance to connect with local organizations. The event is free, and everyone is welcome.

📍 Eagle River Center
📅 Saturday, October 24 | 3–6 p.m.

Bring the whole family—we hope to see you there!

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🧥 A coat you no longer wear could help a neighbor stay warm this winter. 💙
Thank you to 8z Vail Valley for hosting a Coat Drive benefiting The Community Market! Gather your gently used coats and help spread warmth across our community.

📅 Wednesday, October 21
⏰ 4–5:30 p.m.
📍 137 Main Street, Edwards

Take a look through your closet, invite a friend to donate, and help us share this opportunity. Every coat is a little extra care for a neighbor. 💙

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We have a fun way to show up for our community next week! 💚

The Community Market needs extra hands in Gypsum, especially Tuesday, October 20 and Thursday, October 22. Tuesday is still wide open, and we have just one volunteer signed up for Thursday. Could you be the one who helps fill a shift?

We’re also looking for volunteers at the MIRA Health Fair on Saturday, October 24, between 3 and 7 p.m. Shifts are about two hours—come lend a hand and be part of a great afternoon!

Watch the video for a peek at the opportunities, then grab a shift here:
eaglevalleycf.org/volunteer/

Bring a friend, pick a time, and help make a difference!

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Monthly gifts make a meaningful difference for our neighbors, all year long. 💛

In this video, Alex Kandalaft, EVCF’s Annual Giving Manager, shares a thank-you to the generous people who give monthly to Eagle Valley Community Foundation. Your steady support helps strengthen The Community Market, MIRA, Elevar, and the community connections that help Eagle County thrive.

Thank you for showing up month after month. If you’d like to join our community of monthly donors, visit our website to learn more. Every gift helps build a more connected, caring community.

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We’re so grateful to EVCF Board Member Gretta Kuebert (and her sweet daughter Oakley) for leading the diaper and formula drive for our MIRA Health Fair—and to everyone who has already donated. Your generosity will make a meaningful difference for local families.

Diapers and infant formula are essential everyday needs, but they can also be a significant expense for parents and caregivers. These donations will help families access supplies for their little ones and ease some of the pressure of meeting basic needs.

It’s not too late to join in! Shop our Amazon wish list: https://a.co/0af7XH7e, or drop off diapers and formula at our Avon office:
48 E Beaver Creek Blvd, Suite 308
Avon, CO 81620

Thank you, Gretta and our generous community, for showing up for families and helping make the MIRA Health Fair a welcoming place to find support.

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