Vail Resorts CEO donates $3.3M to mountain communities, over $400,000 to Lake Tahoe area

Vail Resorts’ Chief Executive Officer, Rob Katz, and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana’s Pantry, today announced more than $3.3 million in COVID-19 emergency relief and behavioral health grants.

In nine communities where Vail Resorts operates, these separate donations will support local nonprofits’ ongoing efforts to (1) provide critical need services throughout the pandemic and (2) improve access to and affordability of mental and behavioral health services.

“As mountain towns continue to contend with the impacts of COVID-19, there’s been an increase in mental health challenges amplified by limited access to care,” said Katz. “Through these emergency relief grants and our third-annual behavioral health grants, we’re committed to supporting the vitality of the communities where we operate. We appreciate each of our incredible non-profit partners providing local support when it’s needed most and building lasting programs for the health of our communities.”

In South Lake Tahoe, $145,000 will be given to the El Dorado Community Foundation:

$45,000 will support Lake Tahoe Unified School District in the continued expansion of its mental and behavioral health services, particularly its role as the coordinating and referral hub for the South Lake Tahoe Behavioral Health Network. $100,000 will go to their COVID-19 Relief Fund which has been going to provide food for local families and grants for businesses.

"By addressing our community’s emotional and developmental needs through a comprehensive model build on collaboration and communication, we can lower the risk of developing long-term physical and mental health issues. The El Dorado Community Foundation is extremely grateful to Rob Katz and Elana Amsterdam for their commitment to this cause," said Bill Roby, executive director, El Dorado Community Foundation.

For the Tahoe-Truckee area, $295,000 has been give to the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation: $195,000 to support safety-net behavioral health programs in Tahoe Truckee and the continued convening of partners working to create a regional behavioral health system and $100,000 for their COVID-19 Relief Fund.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and the commitment they have made to improving the wellbeing of the Tahoe Truckee community. The grants from Rob and Elana will reinforce emergency response and critical safety net services, and support regional behavioral health partnerships in the areas of youth, substance use disorder, bilingual/bicultural mental health, homelessness and crisis. Our community will greatly benefit from the work that these funds support,” said Alison Schwedner, director of the Community Collaborative, a program of the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation.

Since 2016, Katz and Amsterdam have made contributions of almost $120 million to the Katz Amsterdam Foundation and Charitable Trust, representing 100 percent of the proceeds of any sales by Katz of Vail Resorts common stock. During that same time period they have made grants to non-profits totaling over $24 million.
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