WINTER FOR
EVERYONE
The Share Winter Foundation funds
non-profit learn to ski and snowboard
programs that are changing lives
across the United States
By Eva Wasney
COVER FEATURE
Snow sports can be transformative.
That simple belief is the driving force behind the
Share Winter Foundation – an American grantmaking
organization focused on getting young people involved
in alpine skiing, snowboarding and Nordic skiing.
On paper, the foundation provides roughly $1 million in
grants each year to non-profit ski and snowboard programs in
21 states with the overarching goal of increasing physical activity
and fostering a lifelong love of snow sports. In reality, the
impact runs much deeper.
“We don’t just write checks,” Share Winter’s Chief Executive
Officer Constance Beverley said.
In return for three to five years of funding, each of Share
Winter’s grantees agree to meet specific national standards,
engage in serious data collection and build connections with
other local youth programs.
These requirements help the grantees attract other funders
and makes their programming more sustainable, says Beverley.
This season, Share Winter is funding 16 non-profit organizations
that serve 32,000 youth across roughly 60 ski areas. For
many kids these programs provide a “gateway experience” to
the slopes and an improved sense of self.
snowopsmag.com | SnowOps 15
/snowopsmag.com
