SAM Magazine—Broomfield, Colo., Dec. 13, 2018—Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, have awarded 30 grants totaling more than $2 million to support emotional wellness programs in nearly every mountain resort community in which Vail Resorts operates. The grants were issued by the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, which the couple has supported with nearly $100 million in donations over the years.  

“It is our hope that these grants will help improve access to much-needed services around mental health and substance abuse and reduce the stigma and misunderstanding around these issues to encourage more people to get the help they need,” said Katz. “It is our privilege to be able to support so many outstanding organizations and meaningful programs already in place across our local communities in Colorado, Utah, Tahoe, British Columbia, Vermont, and New Hampshire.” 

Katz and Amsterdam named Beth Ganz executive director of the foundation in October to facilitate community engagement, sponsor research and collaboration, and to work with non-profit partners to drive toward improved mental health outcomes in mountain resort communities. Ganz joined the Katz Amsterdam Foundation after 11 years as vice president of public affairs and sustainability for Vail Resorts. 

“We are spending time getting to know the issues that each community faces around emotional wellness, and the non-profit organizations that are working to make an impact in this space every single day,” said Ganz.   

"The contributions that Rob and Elana have made to the regions around these mountain communities are a significant boost to the support services that are available to individuals and families in those areas,” said Dan Smith, president and CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, which received $125,423 to be distributed among associated organizations. 

These grants are in addition to the $12.9 million of contributions made by Vail Resorts in 2018 to more than 250 community organizations as a part of the Company’s EpicPromise program.