About Us

We are a community foundation dedicated to positive change.

Since 1980, Aspen Community Foundation has been investing in a future where everyone from Aspen to Parachute has equitable opportunities to thrive. To ensure these opportunities are accessible to all, we:

Actively listen and learn about the region’s challenges

Connect nonprofit, philanthropic and community leaders advancing solutions

Partner with donors and funders to catalyze community-led change

| What is a Community Foundation?

Sitting at the intersection of community, nonprofit, and philanthropy, a community foundation is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization that works with the community to understand and address the challenges and opportunities facing a region. At ACF, we use this knowledge to support philanthropists and nonprofits in their efforts to affect positive change on the issues that align with our mission. Watch this YouTube video to learn more about community foundations.

Our leadership team has the philanthropic expertise and passion for positive change necessary to make an impact.

Philanthropy is an active process. We remain in conversation with our partners to increase transparency and hold ourselves accountable.

| Our History

1980

ACF is Born

The Aspen Foundation was created by the Aspen Skiing Company in 1980 to generate charitable contributions in the Aspen community.

1980

The First Fundraiser

The earliest fundraising occurred through the sale of special ski passes, which brought in $32,475 in 1980.

1980

1982

The First Grant

The Aspen Foundation, as it was then called, steadily built its organization and its Board, issuing its first grants to the community in 1982, when they received their official nonprofit status. Events were crafted to raise the profile of the organization, such as Winternational and Le Grande Affaire, a black-tie fundraiser which raised $250,000 annually.

1982

1986

Mission Affirmed

By 1986, the Aspen Foundation reported annual revenues in excess of $1,000,000, and affirmed its mission as “providing philanthropic leadership to meet immediate and long-term human needs in Aspen, Snowmass and throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.” The local press declared “Foundation Aims to Better Quality of Life in the Aspen Region.” Much of what grounds the current Aspen Community Foundation and guides it are the achievements and philosophies from these early founding years.

1986

1990

Areas of Giving Grow

In 1990, the year of its tenth anniversary, Aspen Community Foundation had distributed more than $6 million to nonprofits in the greater Roaring Fork Valley. Areas of giving had grown beyond the first recipients—the arts and sporting events—into the areas of education, health and human services. During the 1990’s, the Board of the Aspen Community Foundation realized that to truly fulfill its mission, it would address the needs of working families throughout the Roaring Fork Valley who provided critical services to Aspen and were an important part of the larger community.

1990

1998

Making Real Change

By 1998, over $1,000,000 was distributed through grantmaking and donor-advised funds, effecting real change in the lives of the region’s families and individuals in need.

1998

2000

The Silver Medallion Pass

In 2000, the Aspen Community Foundation sought to ensure its sustainability and longevity far into the future by endowing its operations. A special ski pass program—the Silver Medallion Pass—was issued by the Aspen Skiing Company to raise $5 million for the Foundation’s endowment over a four-year period. This effort was very successful in securing an endowment that is now $14 million.

2000

2010

Celebrate 30 years

As ACF neared its 30th Anniversary in 2010, it began strategizing ways to engage the community on issues that are important to the region. With a 30-year history of funding organizations and projects focused on children, families and the underserved, a concept began to take shape that would expand and create a system of linked opportunities for early education, afterschool programs and academic mentoring that would support children at every stage from cradle to career.

2010

2012

Programming Updates

The Cradle to Career Initiative soon followed in 2012. Learn more about our new vision for community impact.

2012

Through individual donations and donor-advised funds, a culture of philanthropy and caring has been forged, reflecting the generosity and humanity of the Aspen Community.

About Us

We are a community foundation dedicated to positive change.

| What is a Community Foundation?

| Our History

ACF is Born

The First Fundraiser

The First Grant

Mission Affirmed

Areas of Giving Grow

Making Real Change

The Silver Medallion Pass

Celebrate 30 years

Programming Updates

Inspiring Philanthropy

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