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Breckenridge Grand Vacations steps up annual giving with $1.6M last year – bringing total BGV Gives support to over $15 million.

In 2023, BGV Gives impacted 192 non-profits supporting health, human services, education, arts, environment, and sports and recreation in Summit and Park Counties. Additionally, BGV’s Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program paid employees for 6,565 hours working at non-profits.

BGV’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Jacob Budnick, said, “for me, BGV’s VTO program is an opportunity to do our part in maintaining and continuously improving this incredible place that we’re so lucky to call home.”

Particularly impactful was BGV Gives’ support of the Summit Community Care Clinic’s hypertension program. The Care Clinic distributes home blood pressure monitors and provides enhanced patient support to decrease cardiovascular risks and mortality for local residents.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kathleen Cowie says about the program, “Much of blood pressure management depends on patients understanding their condition and working with a trusted provider. Hypertension is known as the ‘silent killer,’ as most people feel fine with elevated blood pressure. We found that positive results increased significantly through this program.”

In Park County, BGV Gives provided both funding and volunteer assistance to create an educational, high-alpine community garden at the Sacramento Creek Ranch near Alma through a partnership with Mountain Area Land Trust (MALT).

According to Lynn Caligiuri, Executive Director of MALT, “The Trust is fortunate and grateful to have found such a turnkey partnership with BGV Gives. Upon completion in summer of 2024, the community garden will host a population of 15-20 native plants, along with educational interpretive signage to support students, educators, and community members seeking to learn about biodiversity, botany, and high alpine plant environments. Without BGV Gives, this educational hub would not be a reality!”

Tara Dew, BGV Gives Program Manager, said “Philanthropy is a top priority for Breckenridge Grand Vacations. From the company’s executive leadership to our newest hires, BGV employees give back to those around them.”

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Celebrating an Exciting Year of Recognition

BGV was recognized at local and national levels this year and we could not be more grateful to our employees for embracing the culture of giving back.   

Outstanding Business Philanthropy Award from The Summit Foundation

Each year, The Summit Foundation recognizes outstanding community members through its Annual Philanthropy Awards. These awards celebrate and recognize outstanding individuals, businesses, and nonprofits who embrace a culture of giving back and devote their time, talents, and resources to elevate our Summit County community.  

BGV was awarded the 2023 Outstanding Business Philanthropy Award.  This achievement is a true testament to all the work BGV has done for our community for decades and highlights our late owner, Rob Millisor’s philanthropic, community-first legacy. Recent initiatives to strengthen BGV’s company commitment resulted in the establishment of the Community Impact department, a team who is fully devoted to “Doing Well by Doing Good” and creating an impact on local environmental, social, and philanthropic causes.  

This culture of compassion is a direct result of BGV employees championing community service and engagement. From building trails with Friend of the Dillon Ranger District, packaging and/or delivering Smart Bellies meals to local families, donating blood, participating in the annual Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk, and so much more! This strong commitment to our community is the reason why BGV will continue to positively impact the community for years to come. Congratulations to the entire team at BGV who made this GRAND moment possible! 

Friends of the Dillion Ranger District Partner of the Year

BGV proudly accepted the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) Partner of the Year for 2023. This esteemed recognition acknowledges the outstanding collaboration between BGV Gives and FDRD, particularly in their joint efforts each summer to enhance trail systems through multiple forest stewardship projects.  

BGV’s commitment to community engagement shines brightly through initiatives like this, fostering a culture of volunteerism and environmental stewardship among our employees. As a company, BGV provides “Volunteer Time Off,” through which it pays each full-time and part-time employee to contribute at least 24 hours each year to meaningful local causes, with the forest stewardship projects organized by FDRD being a favorite. 

Each year, several departments and individuals within BGV sign up for trail work, taking a break from the resort or office to dedicate a day to trail maintenance. These projects not only contribute to the well-being of the local trail systems but also enhance the outdoor activities that many employees enjoy, including trail running, hiking, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, and walking their dogs. In 2023 alone, over 50 BGV employees worked at one of 4 trail days with FDRD, contributing over 200 hours to the maintenance and preservation of trails at Spruce Creek, just south of Breckenridge.  

This award stands as a testament to BGV’s unwavering commitment to community partnership, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of its employees. 

Snowmelt Efficiency Project at GL7 Recognized by the EPA

In September, BGV was awarded the Region 8 Pollution Prevention Award by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its snowmelt efficiency project at the Grand Lodge on Peak 7. This recognition honors companies who have made significant strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. BGV is the only hospitality group to achieve this federal and nationally recognized award in 2023!  

Since this project was implemented in November of 2022: 

  • The Grand Lodge on Peak 7 has saved 500-1,000 metric million BTUs of natural gas per month or 2.6-5.3 metric tons of CO2 per month. 
  • This is the same as planting 3.2 acres of forests in one year. 
  • Natural gas usage dropped by 14%. 
  • These savings were seen during a winter with record low temperatures. 

Jeff Edwards (Energy Programs Coordinator) and Ellen Reid (Director of Community Impact) were interviewed by 9News to talk more about BGV, the company’s mission, and the great work happening at the Grand Lodge on Peak In addition, members from the EPA came to tour the project and property in early November to present the award to the team.  

BGV would not have received this prestigious award without all the hard work from the Sustainability team, the Grand Lodge on Peak 7 Engineering team and other property leaders. Thank you all and a big congratulations to everyone that made this amazing achievement possible! 

Check out the EPA’s Facebook and Twitter posts about the announcement. 

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BGV Gives Newest Addition – Callison Strey

It’s with great pleasure that BGV Gives welcomes a new staff member to the team – Callison Strey, Community Impact Programs Coordinator.

What motivated you to join the BGV Gives team, and how does the mission of the organization align with your personal values? 

The strong sense of community in Breckenridge and Summit County aligns with BGV Gives mission to honor Rob Millisor’s Legacy through local philanthropy. Living in Breckenridge for almost 12 years, I believe that strong community connections fuel both personal and professional growth and it’s an honor to be a part of the Community Impact and BGV Gives team that invests in its people just as much as it invests in its community. 

As a new team member, what aspects of BGV Gives’ initiatives or programs have stood out to you the most, and why? 

BGV Gives’ diverse initiatives are impressive, but the ones focused on environmental stewardship and employee volunteerism resonate most with me. Seeing our colleagues dedicate their time and skills to local nonprofits, like the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, is so inspiring. Coming from a sustainability background and being an avid trail user, I am impressed by our initiatives to care for our trails and empower employees to make a positive impact.  

How do you envision contributing to the ongoing success of BGV Gives? Are there specific projects or areas you are particularly excited to work on? 

I look forward to our new grant platform launching in the Fall of 2024. It will streamline and enhance our partnerships with existing nonprofits, while opening doors to new collaborations. I can’t wait to apply my skills to optimize outreach and build relationships that amplify BGV Gives’ impact. Learning from Tara’s local philanthropy expertise will be invaluable in this process, and together, we’ll ensure Rob Millisor’s legacy thrives through strategic growth and sustained impact. 

In your experience so far, how have you seen the impact of BGV Gives on the community, and what role do you believe the organization plays in making a positive difference?  

Being part of the fall grant cycle gave me a deeper understanding of BGV Gives’ transformative impact. Witnessing the diverse needs and inspiring projects presented by grant applicants opened my eyes to the breadth of challenges and aspirations within our community. BGV Gives plays a crucial role in bridging these gaps, fostering growth, and empowering local organizations to make a genuine difference in the lives of countless individuals.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it to make the world a better place?  

If I were to have a superpower, I’d opt for something like Cupid, but instead of love arrows, I’d shoot arrows at those in need of a boost of happiness or positivity, aiming to make the world a brighter place. 

Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV show that you find yourself recommending to others often?  

My favorite movie is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It’s not just a movie; it reflects my own aspirations to break free from routine and embrace the unknown in physical, personal, and professional journeys. And it has an astounding soundtrack! 

A book I often recommended to my colleagues is “Let My People Go Surfing” by Yvon Chouinard, environmentalist and owner of Patagonia Outdoor Clothing & Gear. It’s a captivating story of his unique leadership style and how Patagonia has thrived by prioritizing employee well-being and environmental responsibility, proving that “business unusual” can be the key to long-term growth.  

 

 

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BGV’s Adopt a Family Program Marks 10 Years of Spreading Holiday Cheer

Last month, BGV Gives celebrated the 10th anniversary of the BGV Adopt a Family program. BGV partnered with Summit County’s Youth and Family Services to provide gifts to families in need of extra support during the holiday season. Across the company, BGV employees stepped up to bring smiles to 107 individuals from 28 families this holiday season.  

Staff members from the Community Impact department packed up their office brimming with over 50 boxes and bags of gifts and brought them in several carloads to Summit County’s Youth and Family Services, where their staff shared their immense gratitude on behalf of the families they serve.  

Echoing the results of the University of Chicago’s study that shows that found that giving (rather than receiving) leads to long-lasting happiness, team member Carrie Scheick expressed her deep appreciation for the program. “This yearly initiative is one of my favorites. The generosity of BGV employees shines brightly within this program – everyone cares about bringing joy to local families during the holiday season and it just warms my heart! I always love being part of the team that delivers the gifts, as we transform our own office from being inundated with bags of presents to overwhelming (in a good way!) the YFS office.    

BGV Gives extends its thanks to the employees of BGV, who participated in this remarkable act of generosity and of Summit Youth and Family Services, who identified families and coordinated delivery.

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