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Hey, Spike! covers an evening of Summit Foundation socializing

Summit Foundation soiree included, left to right, Steve and Sandee Smith, Kasey Provorse, Jeanne Bistranin, Kevin McDonald, and Renee and Norm Stoller.
Miles F. Porter IV / Special to the Daily |

Colorado native Jeanne Bistranin is finding herself right at home in Summit County.

In her new position as executive director of The Summit Foundation she’s continuing a lengthy career in philanthropy — raising money for good causes.

Jeanne assumed the leadership role at the 31-year-old foundation in February, succeeding the now-retired Lee Zimmerman.



The Summit Foundation board, headed by Kevin McDonald of NewPath Capital Advisors, was impressed with Jeanne’s work at US West and the Coors Foundation, where she distributed funds for many years.

She was introduced during a soiree at the lovely creekside home of Dr. Norm and Renee Stoller, overlooking Frisco’s Tenmile Creek on Thursday night.



Making the introduction were board member and co-host Steve Smith of Rightpath Investments and Kevin.

Directing the socializing were foundation staffers Kasey Provorse, the development director; Elisabeth Lawrence, events and marketing coordinator; and Megan Nuttelman, program officer.

Kevin noted the foundation raised $4.5 million so far this year, highlighting the estate gift from local engineer Norm Ringhand, which topped nearly $2 million; $2.2 million was distributed to nonprofits and students.

“In a community of only 30,000 residents, that’s outstanding,” Kevin told the group.

He also made note of the $1 million gift by Breckenridge Grand Vacations developers Mike Dudick, Mike Millisor and Rob Millisor to The Summit Foundation, which is the largest nonprofit organization in Summit County.

After saying she’s finding a welcoming community here, Jeanne’s lively info-chat explained the overall mission and how the foundation serves as an umbrella organization, “filling in the gaps” between smaller nonprofits.

The community foundation raises funds to support nonprofit organizations and students in Summit, Lake, Park and Grand counties.

She noted the foundation funded 100 scholarships to the tune of about $220,000 this year for Summit High School and neighboring high school graduates.

The process of applying for these monies by the students had to be “done by hand,” a process now going online, directed by Megan, the program officer.

“I am so impressed with the generosity of the people of Summit County. It’s apparent that this community really cares, and I am excited to be a part of that,” Bistranin said, who has joined Summit Rotary.

“The Summit Foundation has done an incredible job of making a difference in the community, and we will continue to build on that history of excellence in working with the nonprofit, youth, community leaders and donors,” she added.

On Friday morning, Jeanne explained more about those two large donations this year:

“The Ringhand bequest and Breckenridge Grand Vacations donation are legacy gifts, which are intended to insure that the long-term needs of the community will be met for generations to come,” Jeanne explained. “The foundation continues to raise and distribute over $2 million annually for local nonprofits and scholarships.”

Attending the party Thursday were Bob and Lin Bode, Gini Bradley, Art and Marilynn Burger, Cary and Marsha Cooper, Jack Cowger and Elaine Fogle, Gail Culp, Betsy Cuthbertson, Paul Finkel, Bruce Fitch, Don and Diane Hunt, Glen and Georgia Kraatz, Ann McCrerey, Cindi McDonald, Heidi Pace, Mark Sabatini, Allan and Marcia Schutt, Sandee Smith, Mary Staby, Barb Strauss, Butch Elich, Lou Wagner, and Barry and Maureen Westerland.

Catering was handled by Sara O’brien of Dave and Patti Welch’s Food Hedz.

Miles F. Porter IV, nicknamed “Spike,” a Coloradan since 1949, is an Army veteran, former hardrock miner, graduate of Adams State College, and a local since 1982. An award-winning investigative reporter, he and wife Mary E. Staby owned newspapers here for 20 years. Email your social info to milesfporteriv@aol.com


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