PC Community Foundation receives $500k grant for mental health services

Vail Resorts acquired Park City Mountain and The Canyons Village under Rob Katz's tenure. Photo: Vail Resorts

PARK CITY, Utah — The Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, led by Vail Resorts executive chairperson Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam, New York Times bestselling author and founder of Elana’s Pantry, announced a donation exceeding $2.66 million. This contribution is part of a broader initiative to enhance mental health resources across 12 mountain communities, including Park City, where Vail Resorts operates.

Since its inception in 2016, the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust has contributed over $56 million towards mental health initiatives. The latest round of 13 grants aims to foster collaboration and innovation in addressing mental and behavioral health challenges across North America, including communities in Colorado, Utah, California, Nevada, Wyoming, Vermont, Washington and British Columbia.

Rob Katz, co-founder and board president of the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, emphasized the importance of advancing mental health conversations and reducing stigma in mountain communities. “We feel incredibly lucky to be able to help these organizations and support their collective missions to improve access to much-needed health services,” Katz said in a press release, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to driving positive change.

Among the beneficiaries, the Park City Community Foundation received a $500,000 grant. This funding is earmarked for the recruitment of bilingual mental health professionals and the expansion of prevention, psychiatric, job training and sober living services for both youth and adults within the community.

The Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust’s efforts complement the annual EpicPromise grants from Vail Resorts, which support over 400 nonprofits in regions where the company operates. In the 2022/23 season alone, Vail Resorts contributed $28.1 million toward critical needs like affordable childcare, housing and food security.

Vail Resorts also extends mental health support to its employees, offering six free counseling sessions per year, access to a wellness app, personal coaching and both virtual and in-person therapy.