Vail Resorts CEO Katz to give $3.5 million in grants for social justice reform, COVID-19 efforts, youth access

Vail Resorts put out the following press release on Monday announcing $3.5 million in grants for social justice reform, COVID-19 efforts and youth access:

BROOMFIELD, Colo., June 8, 2020 – Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) today announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz has exercised stock appreciation rights (SARs), that were set to expire in 2021, and will be making a charitable donation of 100 percent of the proceeds received.  Based on the market price on the date of exercise of $194.74 per share, the donation is equal to approximately $11.7 million.  After withholding taxes, Katz received 59,988 shares of Vail Resorts stock from the SARs exercise, all of which will be donated either in the form of a donation of shares or a donation of cash proceeds that were received from the sale of shares.  The donation by Katz, and his wife Elana Amsterdam, will be made to the family’s charitable trust and foundation.

Additionally, today Katz and Amsterdam announced a number of immediate grants to support COVID-19 efforts, racial justice reform and programs for urban youth.

“This is an incredibly challenging time for our country, and while a primary mission of our charitable giving will remain supporting mental and behavioral health and COVID-19 relief efforts in mountain communities, Elana and I feel passionate about supporting efforts that ensure basic human rights, empowerment and health for everyone,” said Katz. “We are proud to lend our voice and resources to these critical initiatives, movements and organizations that are creating positive change for our society every day.”

$1 Million – Tulane University School of Medicine
The grant will significantly expand and improve COVID-19 testing in the region, including for vulnerable populations that are most at risk. Located in New Orleans and one of the nation’s most recognized centers for medical education, Tulane University School of Medicine is a vibrant center for education, research and public service. 

$500,000 – Equal Justice Initiative
The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American Society. 

$500,000 – Know Your Rights Camp
The mission of Know Your Rights Camp is to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders.

$1.5 million – Youth Organizations  
As a part of a youth access initiative announced in December 2019, in partnership with Vail Resorts, these grants from Katz and Amsterdam will support non-profit organizations that work to strengthen communities and support youth of color in urban centers across North America. While initially earmarked to support efforts to expand youth access to winter sports, the couple today announced that given the current challenges presented by COVID-19, this year’s grants would instead fund the top priorities determined by each organization for the kids they serve.  Specific grants to non-profits will be announced this summer.

In March 2020, Katz and Amsterdam announced a donation of more than $2.5 million to provide immediate COVID-19 relief support for both Vail Resorts employees and non-profits that serve the mountain towns where the company operates.