Mt. Bachelor accepting applications for 2024-25 Play Forever partnership, grant opportunities
Mt. Bachelor is thrilled to announce it is now accepting applications for three community partnership programs: Play Forever Thursdays, the ‘Play It Forward’ Pass Sales Campaign, and new this year, a Play Forever Fund $25k Grant.
Play Forever is Mt. Bachelor’s commitment to support the Central Oregon community and protect the environment. Through Play Forever, Mt. Bachelor:
- Engages in sustainability initiatives
- Invests in local cause-driven organizations through grants, sponsorships, and product donations
- Fosters community connections among employees, guests, and locals to help create a more resilient and thriving Central Oregon community
- Provides scholarships for lift tickets, rentals, lessons, meals, gear, and transportation
Throughout the 2023/24 winter season Mt. Bachelorcollaborated with over 70 local organizations to advance a diverse range of causes, investing $259k in Central Oregon through grants, sponsorships, in-kind product donations, and scholarships.
Looking ahead to the 2024/25 winter season, Mt. Bachelor plans to increase investment and invites nonprofits to apply for partnership and funding opportunities through online forms, due no later than September 15, 2024.
“The collaboration and passion among employees, guests, and partners around the Play Forever program is impressive,” said John Merriman, Mt. Bachelor’s President and General Manager. “We are going to keep the momentum going into next year and build on the strong sense of community and engagement we’ve fostered through our Play Forever program.”
2024/25 partnership and funding opportunities include:
Play Forever Thursdays
Every Thursday in January, February, and March, guests can purchase discounted $99 lift tickets with a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit. Each nonprofit beneficiary is invited to activate at West Village Lodge and share information about their programs and services. In 2024, Play Forever Thursdays generated $36k for 13 local nonprofits.
Play It Forward Pass Sales Campaign
This initiative invites guests to contribute $1 or more to the Play Forever Fund when they purchase any Mt. Bachelor ticket or pass online. Through this initiative and a Mt. Bachelor match, the resort has donated over $85k to local nonprofits such as Bethlehem Inn, Shepherd’s House Ministries, The Environmental Center, The Father’s Group, Discover Your Forest, and Oregon Adaptive Sports.
Play Forever Fund $25k Grant
New this year, Mt. Bachelor is accepting applications for a $25k grant. Grant applications will be reviewed by Mt. Bachelor’s philanthropic committee and will be awarded to an organization that provides critical programs or services in Deschutes, Crook, or Jefferson counties.
“As the second largest employer in Bend, and a major source of the area’s economic prosperity, it is important that Mt. Bachelor is at the forefront of investing in the community,” said Merriman. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished through Play Forever and will continue to prioritize this work in the future.”
For more information about Play Forever, visit the website or reference the 2023/24 Play Forever Recap Blog. To apply for grant funding and partnership opportunities, visit theonline hub for applications[PQ1] .
For media inquiries, contact Lauren Burke lburke@mtbachelor.com
About Mt. Bachelor: Mt. Bachelor is the premier ski area in the Pacific Northwest, offering 4,323 acres of lift-accessible terrain with 360-degree descents from its 9,065’ volcanic peak. The mountain resort is served by three carpets and 12 lifts, seven of which feature high-speed quads and one new high-speed 6-pack lift. Mt. Bachelor also features 15 Woodward Mountain Parks, 56 km of groomed cross-country trails, snowshoeing, and sled dog rides. Summer attractions include downhill mountain biking, ZipTour ziplining, and whitewater rafting with Sun Country Tours. Mt. Bachelor is part of POWDR, a family-owned and operated Adventure Lifestyle Company©. For more information visit www.mtbachelor.com.
