El Pomar Foundation has been a partner of Vail Health for more than 20 years. Spencer and Julie Penrose established the Foundation in 1937 to enhance, encourage, and promote the well-being of Colorado’s people with a mission that has resulted in more than 25,000 grants totaling over $600 million statewide.
The Foundation’s recent investment in Olivia’s Fund at Vail Health Behavioral Health came through their High Country Regional Council, one of 11 regional councils with more than 70 community leaders across Colorado. These councils are at the heart of El Pomar’s Regional Partnerships program, which launched in 2003 on a simple but powerful idea: the people who live and work in a community know best what that community needs.
In the past 20 years, Regional Partnerships have tripled the number of grants awarded to rural Colorado—a 209% increase in rural grants awarded and an 86% increase in dollars.
“El Pomar Foundation’s High Country Regional Council focused its grant recommendations on improving the well-being of youth in our region,” said Kristi Ferraro, High Country Regional Council Member. “Olivia’s Fund plays a critical role in improving the mental health of Eagle County youth, and the Council wants to help Olivia’s Fund continue this important work through a three-year funding commitment. There are times when we believe forming a long-term relationship with our nonprofit partners can have a much greater impact on an issue.”
A Legacy of Opening Doors
The Penroses understood the power of removing barriers. Julie’s father served as Detroit’s mayor and founded the Detroit Public Library. Spencer’s family contributed to medicine, politics, and geology. As a young man, Spencer wrote, “One great man opens and prepares the way for many others.” That philosophy lives on in programs like Olivia’s Fund, which removes the financial barrier to behavioral health care. Anyone who works or lives in Eagle County and demonstrates financial need can access up to six free therapy sessions annually.
The fund honors 13-year-old Olivia Ortega, who died by suicide in 2018. Since the fund’s inception, the impact has been transformative. Olivia’s Fund has supported more than 1,800 clients through nearly 13,000 sessions. Last year, 744 patients benefited from the fund, including over 225 youth across 975 clinical sessions. Students like “Jorge” found stability after contemplating suicide, and Luis received the behavioral health support he needed to pursue his dream of becoming a physician assistant.
When Local Leaders Lead
El Pomar Foundation has supported Olivia’s Fund since 2020. This new three-year contribution has an even greater impact now, as more Eagle County youth are seeking behavioral health support.
“We are incredibly grateful to El Pomar Foundation for their continued investment in Olivia’s Fund and Vail Health. Their support helps provide the financial assistance that many individuals and families need to get lifesaving behavioral health care. This partnership reflects the best of what’s possible when philanthropic organizations work together with a shared commitment to the well-being of Colorado’s people,” said Dan Pennington, Vail Health Foundation President.
El Pomar was founded to enhance the well-being of the people of Colorado. By supporting Olivia’s Fund, they’re helping ensure financial barriers don’t prevent individuals and families in the mountain communities we serve from accessing care when they need it most.
Those who live and work in a place know best what challenges are facing their community.”– El Pomar Foundation’s Regional Partnerships Philosophy