Grants enable us to help local working families find safe, affordable housing in our community. Habitat for Humanity is grateful to have received the EpicPromise grant from Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts since 2016 and we value their partnership in improving our community through their funding, event support, and employee engagement.
We spoke with Shellie Barrus, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties, about this grant and its impact on Habitat’s work.
How the EpicPromise Grant Supports Habitat
The EpicPromise Community Impact grant program supports nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity, in mountain communities nationwide. As its website states, “Vail Resorts is committed to supporting working families in our communities by forming relationships with local leaders and businesses, donating in-kind resources, and awarding grants to nonprofits to facilitate the expansion of affordable housing, childcare and pre-school education, food security, and more. Last year, we awarded $9.5 million in cash and product grants to nonprofit partners across North America.”
Their primary financial focus with Habitat is our annual Overall Ball gala. As our biggest fundraiser each year, the Overall Ball raises money for our programs while increasing awareness of the growing need for affordable housing. The EpicPromise team donates the event space, provides event planning, and supports us with food and beverages for the gala each year.
How EpicPromise Team Members Support the Community
EpicPromise team members involve themselves in the communities in which they operate and build relationships with community leaders to learn about the specific needs of that area. To do this, they bring together the leadership of local nonprofits a few times a year. Organizations, including Habitat, are invited to give input on what support looks like on a local level and share thoughts on the most pressing community needs.
“We come together and really interconnect and see what other people are doing,” Barrus says. “I think it's a really great connection for nonprofits.”
Getting involved in their communities allows the EpicPromise team members to determine where contributions would make the most meaningful impact, which helps the organization determine which nonprofits are awarded grants.
Barrus hopes to have a team join Habitat on an upcoming build to see how our Homeownership Program works and meet the hardworking people who benefit directly from their grant contributions.
Our plans for this year
Habitat for Humanity was recently awarded the EpicPromise grant for this year at the corporate level and is now talking with team members at the local level to determine the work to be done. Since this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties affiliate, we plan to up our game for the Overall Ball in June. In addition to partnering with Park City Board of REALTORS and their Hats Off to Community Housing event, we look forward to partnering with the EpicPromise grant team to make that happen.
“We really appreciate that one of the largest employers in the community supports the nonprofits,” Barrus says. “And that they support Habitat and partner with us. They're a bigger employer, and they step up and really try to engage and get their employees engaged in what's happening in the community.”
Help Us Celebrate Our 30th Anniversary!
Stay tuned to hear the exciting events we have in store this year to celebrate our 30th anniversary! Support us in our work by making a donation to Habitat. Stay connected with us so you can attend our Overall Ball & Hats Off to Community Housing event!
