EpicPromise delivers $500,000 for Park City students in 10-year PCEF partnership

Fueled by community spirit and Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise, young participants race ahead during Running with Ed, a celebration of Park City Mountain’s decade-long partnership with PCEF. Photo: Park City Education Foundation

PARK CITY, Utah — As the Park City Education Foundation marks two major milestones this year, it also recognizes a decade of impact from one of its most steadfast supporters. Park City Mountain, through Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise, has contributed nearly $500,000 to Park City public schools over the past 10 years, with donations supporting everything from early childhood education to school-based grants.

“Park City Mountain, through Vail Resorts’ EpicPromise, is incredibly proud to celebrate a decade of partnership and collaboration with the Park City Education Foundation,” said Deirdra Walsh, vice president and COO of Park City Mountain. “Together, we have been able to support the impactful education programs in our community, including early childhood education, and build a brighter future for our local students and strengthen the foundation of our community and its future.”

According to Jennifer Billow, vice president of advancement for PCEF, long-term support has had a transformational effect on the community’s youngest learners. “Long term, the biggest impact on public education Vail has had is elevating the conversation around preschool and early childhood education,” Billow said. “There hadn’t been a lot of talk around preschool in 2014, and many donors were unfamiliar with the growing need for young families.”

That changed when Park City Mountain and EpicPromise made one of their first significant investments in PCEF’s preschool initiative. Research shows that preschool attendees enter kindergarten with stronger language, math, and pre-literacy skills and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.

“Preschool helps children develop self-regulation, emotional control, and cooperation skills while reducing behavioral issues,” Billow said. “The effects of preschool continue through adulthood. Those who attended high-quality preschool programs tend to earn more as adults, rely less on public assistance, and contribute to an economic return on investment — from $4 to $10 for every dollar invested.”

That early focus laid the foundation for a landmark commitment in 2023: a $250,000 donation over five years to support Park City School District’s preschool program. The investment came as the COVID-19 pandemic brought increased attention to the area’s childcare challenges.

“Parents can’t work if they don’t have childcare,” Billow said. “Vail’s $250,000 commitment really modeled the public-private partnership needed to solve a complex challenge — and now both Park City Municipal and Summit County provide major funding for families in need for ages 0 to 5 childcare. Vail helped get that conversation started.”

PCEF President and CEO Ingrid Whitley said the support has directly expanded access to early learning for local families. “Because of this partnership, along with school board and community support, PCSD will be able to provide high-quality preschool for more than 288 three- and four-year-olds,” Whitley said. “There are still openings for 2025–26 preschool enrollment now that space will be available for more than 100 additional students.”

In addition to early education, Park City Mountain plays a key role in Running with Ed, PCEF’s largest annual fundraiser. Now in its 16th year, the event raises money to fund classroom grants for Park City School District educators. “Park City Mountain became our presenting sponsor in 2017 after Ragnar’s Wasatch Back relay pulled out of Park City,” Billow said. “They really stepped up at a turning point in the race when we needed help, and they didn’t hesitate.”

That support, she said, helped stabilize the event and build credibility with additional sponsors. “The stability of their long-term sponsorship means we can focus on other areas of the race, like growing other sponsors and fundraising from participants,” she said. “Their sponsorship also provides direct grants to school PTOs.”

Each year, Park City Mountain contributes $25,000 to Running with Ed, with $10,000 earmarked for the Park City Mountain Grant, which goes directly into local schools.

Reflecting on the 10-year partnership, Billow identified three defining moments: the initial preschool grant in 2014, stepping into the lead sponsorship role for Running with Ed, and their unwavering commitment during the pandemic. “In spring 2020, when we had to cancel the race, they still provided the sponsorship dollars,” Billow said. “They knew PCEF was still committed to providing programs to PCSD, whether the school was virtual or in person. I’ll never forget that.”

As PCEF prepares to celebrate 16 years of Running with Ed and a decade of partnership with Park City Mountain, both organizations say their shared commitment to Park City students is just getting started.

“We are thrilled to celebrate 10 years of collaboration for such critical and meaningful programs,” Whitley said. “It is rare to have such a steadfast partner supporting public education.”