The Eagle River Fund has grown from an idea to a powerful mechanism for change, thanks to the collaborative work and support of multiple stakeholders and organizations.
The Nature Conservancy and Yampa River Fund are organizations that have provided valuable guidance and support in the Eagle River Fund development process and continue to be a sounding board.
The Eagle River Fund is overseen by a board of directors, with technical support by the Technical Advisory Committee and staff at the Eagle River Coalition, and fiscally managed by Western Colorado Community Foundation. Earnings from this fund are granted to eligible entities for projects that meet the goals of the Fund.
Eagle River Fund Manager
Melanie Smith
Melanie is the Development Director at the Eagle River Coalition. She was named as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) in October 2023. After graduating from Luther College in Decorah, IA, with a BS degree in political science and environmental studies, she moved from Minnesota to the Eagle River Valley. Melanie loves to ski, garden, read, and explore local trails.
Affiliated with Eagle River Coalition
Fund Stakeholder and Advisor
Margie Gart
Margie Gart is the former Director of Philanthropy at Rose Community Foundation, where she worked with individuals, families and groups to structure their philanthropy. She is a current board member of the Vail Valley Foundation, Tattered Cover and Theater Mitu, and has served on the boards of The Kent Denver School, Rose Community Foundation, Women’s Foundation of Colorado (chair, 2014), and Colorado Women’s College (chair, 2020). She received an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Margie and her husband Tom live in Denver and Vail and have three grown children and four grandchildren.
Community member
Eagle River Coalition
Vicki Flynn
Vicki is Executive Director for Eagle River Coalition and she has 20 years of nonprofit experience in fundraising and nonprofit management. She has worked at the Vail Valley Foundation, Can Do MS and most recently at The Cycle Effect. Vicki loves to spend time with her family outside enjoying all that Colorado has to offer. In the summer you will find her hiking and biking on the trails or floating on the river with her family. She also is an avid yogi, and recently became a certified yoga teacher.
Affiliated with Eagle River Coalition