This article was originally posted in VermontBiz and can be viewed in full here: https://vermontbiz.com/news/2023/november/29/burton-chill-foundation-raise-support-expand-mission-build-equity-outdoor
Cole Ogutu, right, and Ben Clark, Chill’s CEO, at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, OR. Courtesy photo.
Vermont Business Magazine Chill Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit youth development organization is partnering with Burton Snowboards on a five-day giving campaign launching on November 29th to raise support for a new era of programming for Chill that focuses on helping young people build careers in the outdoor industry.
After almost 30 years of introducing youth to boardsports at no cost, Chill is expanding its focus to include leadership and professional development opportunities in the outdoor industry for Chill alumni. Chill plans to offer participants career opportunities like informational interviews, introductions to hiring managers, training and certification in mountain operations and avalanche rescue, and much more.
“Both Chill and Burton are focused on increasing diversity in boardsports by opening doors to participation and job opportunities in the industry,” said Donna Carpenter, owner of Burton and co-founder of Chill. “By offering Chill alumni the chance to gain outdoor-industry job skills, make connections and find mentorships, our hope is that more Chill participants will land their future dream jobs.”
The fundraising partnership between Chill and Burton seeks to effect change in the outdoor space and address the lack of representation of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) in the boardsports community by increasing access and connecting Chill participants and alumni to career pathways in the outdoor industry.
A centerpiece of the fundraising campaign is a video capturing a day of snowboarding for Chill alumni, Cole Ogutu, and Ben Clark, Chill’s CEO, at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, OR.
The two trade laps on the mountain and talk about Cole’s path through the juvenile justice system, learning to snowboard in Chill’s Salt Lake City program, and becoming a lift operator at the mountain where he learned to ride. They also discuss what’s ahead for Chill – deepening the organization’s connections with community partners and schools and creating pathways to employment opportunities for participants and alumni.
Chill’s goal is to raise $200,000 this holiday season to support programming around its expanded mission.
“Chill is thrilled to be teaming up with Burton on this important campaign to fuel our work inspiring young people through boardsports and building a more equitable outdoor community,” says Ben Clark, Chill’s CEO. “Meaningfully addressing the systemic barriers that have excluded many BIPOC and other individuals from participating in the outdoors requires an all-hands on deck approach. We are hopeful that many who share our passion for snowboarding, boardsports, and the outdoors, will join our efforts and invest in our work.”
About the Chill Foundation
Chill’s mission is to inspire young people through boardsports and build a more equitable outdoor community. Founded by Jake and Donna Carpenter of Burton Snowboards in 1995, Chill has served more than 30,000 participants in 20 locations across 9 countries. Chill’s programs pair a core value curriculum with the excitement of learning snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and paddleboarding to promote personal growth, connection to the outdoors, and a supportive community to enjoy it with. Chill covers all costs and fosters strong alliances with community organizations, schools, and boardsport partners so youth can have as much fun as possible while learning new skills. www.chill.org
About Burton
In 1977, Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton Snowboards out of his Vermont barn and dedicated the rest of his life to snowboarding. Since its founding, Burton has played a pivotal role in growing snowboarding from a backyard hobby to a world-class sport by creating groundbreaking products, supporting a team of top snowboarders and pushing resorts to allow snowboarding. Today, Burton designs and manufactures industry-leading products for snowboarding and the outdoors. As a sustainability leader within the outdoor and winter sports industries, Burton is the world’s first snowboard company to become a certified B Corporation®. Privately held and owned by Donna Carpenter, Burton’s headquarters are in Burlington, Vermont with offices in Austria, Japan, Australia, Canada and China. For more information on Burton, head to www.burton.com.
Source: (Burlington, Vermont) – November 28, 2023 –Chill Foundation
