Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley raises $1M at annual fundraiser
For its 30th year, nonprofit plans to deliver 30 homes to house locals in 2025
Chris Kendig/Courtesy photo
Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley has a lot to celebrate. Not only did the local chapter of the worldwide nonprofit of Habitat for Humanity turn 30, it also raised $1 million dollars at its annual Carpenters’ Ball fundraiser on March 8 at The Hythe Vail.
“Saturday night was an amazing celebration of partnerships, community and collaboration,” said Elyse Howard, vice president of community affairs and philanthropy for Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley. “The energy I felt in that room makes me excited for our future. I’m so grateful to the longtime supporters who believe in what we’re doing.”
With lack of housing making headlines in the Vail Valley, the work that Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley does is as critical as ever. There were 170 applications submitted for the 24 homes built in 2024. For the 30 homes in 2025, 248 applications were submitted.
Habitat for Humanity is focused on growing the capacity to deliver affordable home ownership opportunities for the community. There have been some creative ways to do this, such as traditional site-built construction, modular construction and public-private partnerships, such as the one at Timber Ridge Village in Vail where Habitat for Humanity is the lender. Thirty homes will be delivered in 2025, with 20 of them at the new Timber Ridge Village in Vail and 10 in Gypsum.
“By building 30 home ownership opportunities this year, we’re retaining our vital workforce community,” Howard said.
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The fundraising portion of the evening was boosted by a $300,000 matching amount in honor of the organization’s 30th anniversary. In addition to that amount, an additional $100,000 match escalated the amount to $700,000 within minutes after the fundraising portion of the program started.
Over 500 people attended the gala including sponsors ANB Bank, Slifer, Smith & Frampton, Vail and Beaver Creek Resorts, Laureen Hopkins Interior Design & Carrie Fell Home. Hopkins was honored for her ardent supporter of Habitat for Humanity as a board member and as part of the Carpenters’ Ball planning committee.
The evening celebrated the past with sights on big goals for the future. Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley built 100 homes in its first 26 years and the next 100 homes will be built over seven years. With community support and partnerships, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is not only building community, but retaining community.
