Ten Years of Community, One Year of Momentum: Looking Back and Moving Forward

As Eagle Valley Community Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are taking time to reflect not only on where we began, but on how much this community has built together.

Over the past decade, EVCF has grown from an idea rooted in neighbors helping neighbors into a community-centered organization connecting thousands of local families to food, health resources, economic opportunity, and meaningful support. This milestone year has reminded us that our mission has never belonged to one program, one team, or one moment. It belongs to the people who show up every day, including volunteers, donors, partners, staff, entrepreneurs, families, and community members who believe Eagle County is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

This past year has been a powerful reflection of that shared commitment.

EVCF was honored with two Vail Valley Partnership Success Awards, including Nonprofit of the Year and Community Impact Organization. These recognitions were not simply awards for one organization. They were a celebration of what becomes possible when a community comes together around dignity, access, and belonging. They recognized the collective effort behind The Community Market, MIRA, and Elevar, and the many partners and supporters who help make this work possible.

Our 10th anniversary also created space to honor the people who helped shape EVCF from the beginning. Through gatherings like Founders Table, we are celebrating the visionaries, donors, board members, volunteers, and community leaders who helped lay the foundation for this work. Their belief in a more connected Eagle County continues to guide us as we enter this next chapter.

At the same time, our programs continue to evolve in response to community needs. Elevar celebrated the graduation of another cohort of local entrepreneurs and is preparing to welcome a new group of business leaders ready to grow their ideas, strengthen their skills, and contribute to the local economy. These entrepreneurs represent the creativity, resilience, and leadership already present in our community. Through mentorship, bilingual education, and startup support, Elevar continues to invest in people whose businesses will create lasting impact far beyond graduation day.

The Community Market has also continued to respond to the realities families are facing, including rising food costs and changes to public benefits. As conversations around SNAP access and food insecurity continue across Colorado, EVCF remains committed to ensuring that families have access to fresh, nutritious food with no barriers and no stigma. Nearly half of Coloradans experiencing food insecurity do not qualify for SNAP, making community-based food access more important than ever. The Community Market stands in that gap, offering choice, dignity, and relief for households navigating the high cost of living.

MIRA’s work has also grown significantly over the past year, reflecting the increasing demand for bilingual, culturally responsive health and resource navigation. Looking ahead, the addition of a second MIRA bus represents an exciting step forward in expanding access across Eagle County. This growth means more neighborhoods reached, more families connected to care, and more opportunities to bring trusted support directly to the communities that need it most.

Together, these moments tell a larger story. EVCF’s 10th anniversary is not only a celebration of the past. It is a reminder of the responsibility and opportunity ahead.

The needs facing our community are complex. Families are balancing rising costs, limited access to healthcare, food insecurity, housing pressures, and economic uncertainty. But this past year has shown us something equally powerful: Eagle County is filled with people who are ready to respond. People who volunteer. People who give. People who partner. People who lead. People who believe that local solutions can create lasting change.

As we look toward the future, EVCF remains grounded in the same spirit that started this work ten years ago: community taking care of community.

We are proud of what we have built together. We are grateful for everyone who has been part of the journey. And we are ready for what comes next.