Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

What Whistler Blackcomb Foundation does

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is a registered Canadian non-profit organization founded in 1992 by Blackcomb Skiing Enterprises and headquartered in Whistler, British Columbia. It is the largest fundraising organization in the Sea to Sky Corridor, operating as a centralized vehicle that aggregates corporate sponsorships, individual donations, event revenues, and VIP pass sales, then redistributes the proceeds as dollar grants twice yearly to registered charities working in health, human services, education, recreation, arts and culture, and the environment, with emphasis on children, youth, and family programs.

The Foundation's core products are two flagship annual events — the TELUS Winter Classic (a March ski/snowboard weekend drawing ~1,200 participants) and the TELUS Golf Classic (a September Texas Scramble at Fairmont Chateau Whistler with ~200 participants) — supplemented by the Founders Pass Program (100 VIP Whistler Blackcomb season passes sold annually at $12,500 CAD each, raising $1.25M/year) and the Envirofund (an employee-matched environmental grant initiative). Additional revenue comes from online auctions (wbfauction.com, two per year), direct donations via the website, and merchandise sales including the Heli Ball Drop contest. Since 1992, the Foundation has raised and disbursed over $25 million to hundreds of Sea to Sky charities, with close to $2 million donated annually in recent years.

The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors under President David Krasny and Executive Director Mei Madden, with operational support from Senior Manager Jaime Kerrigan. While it operates independently, it is closely tied to Whistler Blackcomb (a Vail Resorts property) through naming rights, Founders Pass allocation, and EpicPromise corporate support, and to TELUS through exclusive event naming sponsorship. A network of additional corporate sponsors (Samsung, Pepsi, Accenture, Fortinet, Salesforce, Corona, RE/MAX, Monster Energy, Fairmont Chateau Whistler) underwrites specific event components. The Foundation's geographic mandate is strictly limited to the Sea to Sky Corridor (Whistler, Pemberton, Squamish, Líl̓wat Nation, and Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Nation territories).

Name

Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

Legal name

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation

Website

https://whistlerblackcombfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is a registered Canadian non-profit founded in 1992 that raises and distributes close to $2 million annually to hundreds of registered charities in the Sea to Sky Corridor, funded via two flagship events (TELUS Winter Classic and TELUS Golf Classic), the $1.25M Founders Pass program, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation / Community Grant Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Community grant funding
• Charitable fundraising events
• Non-profit foundation
• Corporate social responsibility
• Donor philanthropy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Whistler

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Grant Disbursements to Registered Sea to Sky Charities: The Foundation's core purpose is to raise and distribute financial grants to qualified non-profit organizations in the Sea to Sky Corridor. Funds are raised through corporate sponsorships, Founders Pass sales, individual donations, event revenues, and auction proceeds, then disbursed as dollar grants twice per year to registered charities in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts & culture, and the environment, with emphasis on children, youth, and family programs.
2. Founders Pass Program: The primary fundraising vehicle since 1998. The Foundation sells 100 VIP Whistler Blackcomb season passes annually (the Founders Pass), raising $1.25 million dollars annually for Sea to Sky community charities. Annual cost is $12,500 CAD per pass, of which $7,500 is tax-deductible.
3. TELUS Winter Classic & TELUS Golf Classic Events: Two annual fundraising events serve as the primary revenue generation mechanism. The Winter Classic (March, ~1,200 participants, weekend ski event with Winetastic and Mountain Top Gala evening events) and the Golf Classic (September, ~200 participants, Texas Scramble at Fairmont Chateau Whistler) generate close to $2 million annually for local charities through ticket sales, team packages, sponsorships, and live/silent auctions.
4. Direct Donations & Sponsorships: Individual monetary donations are accepted year-round through the website, with tax receipts automatically generated. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available across both annual events, offering companies exposure, networking connections, and recognition.
5. Online Auctions: Two online auctions are held annually (March and September), featuring donated items from local businesses. Proceeds support the Foundation's grant disbursements to Sea to Sky Corridor charities.
6. Merchandise Sales: The Foundation's online store sells merchandise including event items such as the Heli Ball Drop (closest-to-the-pin contest at the Golf Classic, $20 per ball or $100 for 7 balls) and race results documents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation is a registered non-profit foundation that raises funds through two annual flagship events (TELUS Winter Classic ski weekend and TELUS Golf Classic tournament), the Founders Pass VIP season pass program, direct donations, corporate sponsorships, online auctions, and merchandise sales. It then disburses those funds as cash grants twice per year (April and October cycles) to registered non-profit organizations serving the Sea to Sky Corridor in the areas of health, human services, education, recreation, arts and culture, and the environment, with emphasis on children, youth, and family programs.

Product overview

The Whistler Blackcomb Foundation operates as a non-profit fundraising organization rather than a technology company. Its product portfolio consists of charitable fundraising events and programs: two flagship annual events (TELUS Winter Classic ski weekend and TELUS Golf Classic), a Founders Pass VIP membership program generating $1.25M annually, the Envirofund environmental grant initiative, and a general Community Grants Program distributing funds twice yearly to Sea to Sky Corridor non-profits. The Foundation has raised over $25 million since 1992, making it the largest fundraising organization in the area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TELUS Winter Classic Annual weekend-long ski and snowboard fundraising event held in early March featuring Ski With a Pro Adventure Day, Race Classic, Whistler Winetastic wine/beer/spirits/cheese tasting evening, Mountain Top Gala dinner-dance-auction, online auction, and approximately 1,200 participants.
• TELUS Golf Classic Annual golf tournament held in September featuring Texas Scramble format at Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club, with on-course activations, lunch and refreshments, après-dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment; approximately 200 participants.
• Founders Pass Program VIP season pass program selling 100 fully transferable Whistler Blackcomb season passes annually as the Foundation's primary fundraising vehicle; includes lift line priority for passholder and up to 3 paid guests, 10 First Tracks vouchers and 4 Summer Sightsee vouchers, mountain biking and sightseeing access, VIP rates for TELUS Winter Classic evening events, donor wall recognition, and is priced at $12,500 CAD per year ($7,500 tax-deductible).
• Envirofund Environmental grant program supporting Qualified Donees whose actions benefit the natural environment in the Sea to Sky Corridor; funded by Whistler Blackcomb employee donations matched 100% by the Foundation, with over $890,000 donated to environmental causes since 2001.
• Community Grants Program Twice-yearly grant program accepting applications in April and October, providing cash grants to registered non-profit organizations in the Sea to Sky Corridor; focus areas include health, human services, education, recreation, arts & culture, and the environment, with emphasis on children, youth, and family programs.
• Heli Ball Drop Closest-to-the-pin contest held during the TELUS Golf Classic, in which participants purchase golf balls for $20 each (or $100 for 7 balls) that are dropped from a helicopter onto the 18th green at Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club for a chance to win prizes including an Epic Pass and a helicopter experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $25 million raised and disbursed to registered Sea to Sky charities since 1992
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• TELUSflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTELUS is the exclusive naming sponsor of both of the Foundation's flagship annual fundraising events — the TELUS Winter Classic (ski/snowboard weekend held in March) and the TELUS Golf Classic (golf tournament held in September). TELUS branding is featured prominently across all event materials, tickets, signage, and promotional content. This is a multi-year sustained partnership providing major event funding and marketing exposure for TELUS within the Sea to Sky Corridor.
• Vail Resorts EpicPromisecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVail Resorts EpicPromise is the corporate giving program of Vail Resorts, parent company of Whistler Blackcomb. It provides corporate support to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation alongside Whistler Blackcomb itself. The generosity of Vail Resorts EpicPromise has enabled the Founders Pass Program to double in size in recent years, and EpicPromise made a significant donation to the Founders Pass Program.
• Whistler BlackcombcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWhistler Blackcomb is the founding and leading corporate sponsor of the Foundation. The Foundation was originally formed by Blackcomb Skiing Enterprises in 1992 and rebranded to the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation in 1997 following the merger of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Whistler Blackcomb provides ongoing corporate support and is the source of the Founders Pass season pass product.
• Fairmont Chateau WhistlercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Fairmont Chateau Whistler is the venue partner for both flagship events. It hosts the breakfasts, Winetastic evening, Mountain Top Gala, and Golf Classic dinner/after-party. It is recognized as a generous and sustained supporter of the Foundation's mission across multiple years.
• Blackcomb HelicoptersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBlackcomb Helicopters sponsors the annual Heli Ball Drop contest at the TELUS Golf Classic, dropping numbered golf balls from a helicopter onto the 18th green. Contest participants purchase balls ($20 each or $100 for 7) for a chance to win prizes including an Epic Pass and helicopter experience.
• SamsungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSamsung is a presenting sponsor of the Mountain Top Gala evening event at the TELUS Winter Classic and the after-party at the TELUS Golf Classic. Samsung branding appears on event materials for these specific evening functions.
• AccentureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAccenture sponsors the Ski With a Pro Adventure Day component of the TELUS Winter Classic, providing professional ski/snowboard guiding experiences on Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains for event participants.
• PepsiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPepsi is the presenting sponsor of the online auctions for both the TELUS Winter Classic and TELUS Golf Classic. The online auctions (hosted at wbfauction.com) feature over 200 items per event.
• RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate is the presenting sponsor of the Whistler Winetastic evening event at the TELUS Winter Classic.
• Monster EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonster Energy sponsors the DJ booth at the Mountain Top Gala evening event of the TELUS Winter Classic.
• CoronaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorona is the presenting sponsor of the Après-Ski event following the Ski With a Pro Adventure Day at the TELUS Winter Classic.
• FortinetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFortinet is the sponsor of the Start-Gate Breakfast at the TELUS Winter Classic, held before the Race Classic on Saturday morning.
• SalesforceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSalesforce is listed as a sponsor of the TELUS Winter Classic, providing marketing/technology support for the Foundation's donor and event management.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Whistler Community Foundation: A community foundation serving the same Sea to Sky Corridor region, distributing grants to local non-profits and charities. Operates the closest comparable community grantmaking model in the same geographic market.
• Park City Community Foundation: Community foundation serving Park City, Utah — another mountain-resort town with comparable tourism-dependent economy and similar grantmaking mandate to local non-profits. Closely parallel business model.
• Aspen Community Foundation: Long-established community foundation serving Aspen, Colorado, a similar high-end mountain-resort market. Comparable grantmaking model, donor base, and focus on arts, environment, health, and human services.
• Jackson Hole Community Foundation: Community foundation serving Jackson Hole, Wyoming — a tourism-driven mountain resort community with comparable grantmaking structure and seasonal economy dynamics.
• Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation: Community foundation serving the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee region — directly comparable resort-area foundation serving a geographically dispersed mountain community with similar tourism economic base.

Broad incumbents

• Vail Resorts EpicPromise: The corporate social responsibility and giving arm of Vail Resorts, the parent of Whistler Blackcomb. Directly funds the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation's programs and operates parallel community grantmaking across Vail Resorts' broader mountain resort portfolio.
• Vancouver Foundation: One of Canada's largest community foundations, serving British Columbia broadly. Larger-scale regional peer operating a similar grantmaking model with much greater assets under management.
• Calgary Foundation: Major Canadian community foundation serving Calgary and surrounding areas. Operates a parallel grantmaking model at materially larger scale, with similar focus areas (arts, environment, health, recreation).

Emerging players

• Tides Canada Foundation: Canadian charitable foundation focused on environmental and social grantmaking. Comparable to WBF's Envirofund arm in mission focus on environmental causes, though operating nationally rather than regionally.

Others

• CanadaHelps: Canada's largest online donation platform connecting donors to Canadian charities. Ecosystem enabler rather than direct grantmaking peer — uses similar donation infrastructure (Keela/Shopify integration) to WBF's online giving.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user9059139
• Facebookfacebook.com/whistlerblackcombfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/wbfoundation/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/whistler-blackcomb-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Whistler Blackcomb Foundation