Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest mountain resort in Eastern North America, is partnering with Vermont Community Foundation and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont to launch the Play It Forward Business Relief Fund, which will award a total of $130,000 in grants up to $2,500 each to eligible businesses in the Town of Killington.
As part of Killington Resort’s Play Forever corporate responsibility commitment to protecting the environment and enabling participation, Play It Forward engages charitable giving through partnerships with local community foundations. The Killington Play It Forward Business Relief Fund at the Vermont Community Foundation will help businesses that are in distress due to the coronavirus pandemic. The grant awards will be based on the relative size of the business, the level of the business’s coronavirus-related financial distress, the importance of the business to their town’s vibrancy, the number of applicants, and available funding.
“The vibrant Killington community creates a truly unique experience for our guests; it’s what makes our resort so special,” says Mike Solimano, president and general manager of Killington Resort and Pico Mountain. “We’re proud to be in a position to give so generously in support of friends and neighbors and know our partnership with the Vermont Community Foundation and NeighborWorks of Western Vermont will help our community navigate this challenging time.”
Businesses the Killington Play It Forward Business Relief Fund Supports
- Food (i.e. restaurants, coffee shops, bars, farms, and food production)
- Lodging and rentals (i.e. inns, hotels, rentals)
- Retail shops
- Personal care, outdoor recreation, fitness, and wellness (i.e. hair salons, yoga, massage and physical therapists, outdoor guides)
- Real estate offices
- Construction and renovation
- Pet care
- Landscaping and home care
- Local publications
Businesses the Killington Play It Forward Business Relief Fund Does Not Support
- Financial, legal, and professional services
- Business-to-business consulting and marketing
- Manufacturing, except food and farm
- Condominium associations
- Fuel and utility
- Medical (i.e. hospitals, medical practices)
- Franchises, chains, or statewide corporations
Killington Resort’s Play It Forward Fund was established at the Vermont Community Foundation with a $350,000 gift from the Cumming Foundation, and John and David Cumming. POWDR, an adventure lifestyle company founded by John Cumming, owns Killington and Pico and established Play It Forward funds at community foundations at each of its mountain resorts across North America. The family and foundation’s gifts, totaling $2.25M across the funds, are in support of POWDR businesses helping their local communities in this tremendous time of need and beyond.
To apply for a grant and questions about the grant process, please visit the Killington Play It Forward Business Relief Fund application page at the Vermont Community Foundation website: https://www.vermontcf.org/NonprofitsGrants/AvailableGrants/KillingtonPlayItForward.aspx. Applications must be submitted electronically by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020.
About Killington Resort
Killington Resort is a four-season destination sitting on 3,000 acres in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountains. The Beast of the East boasts 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread across six peaks including Pico Mountain, served by the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in Eastern North America. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course, the family-friendly Snowshed Adventure Center, 15 miles of scenic hiking trails, and the largest Bike Park in the East with 35 miles of mountain biking trails designed by Gravity Logic. The seemingly infinite après, dining, and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast adventure enthusiasts for over 55 years. Killington is part of the POWDR Adventure Lifestyle Co. portfolio. Visit www.killington.com for more information and be social with #beast365.
About Vermont Community Foundation
The Vermont Community Foundation inspires giving and brings people and resources together to make a difference in Vermont. This includes helping to coordinate philanthropic response in times of crisis and challenge. The Foundation is committed to helping Vermont communities that are impacted by COVID-19 by responding to immediate needs and long-term recovery efforts. Visit VTCOVID19Response.org to learn more.
About NeighborWorks of Western Vermont
NeighborWorks of Western Vermont is a nonprofit lending organization working to strengthen a thriving regional economy by promoting safe, efficient and affordable housing and community development through education, technical assistance and financial services. https://www.nwwvt.org/
Source: KILLINGTON, VT (July 14, 2020) – Killington Resort