From placing the Vail Valley on a world stage through international-scale and televised athletic events to transforming the community’s arts and cultural landscape to championing education initiatives with the Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) and beyond, Harry and Susan Frampton’s philanthropic efforts exemplify how visionary leadership and a generosity of spirit, time, and financial support can shape a community for generations. Through their work with the VVF, they've helped create an extraordinary mountain town that rivals any resort destination in the world. What sets the Framptons apart is not just their vision, but their sustained, consecutive-year commitment to the VVF over decades that has allowed these transformative initiatives to take root and flourish.
A Foundation for Excellence
When Harry Frampton helped found the Vail Valley Foundation in the early 1980s, he saw both tremendous potential and significant gaps in the community. "We really hadn't done any ski racing in many, many years. There had also been a lot of focus on Aspen and all of its cultural events, and we saw a void in that here as well. And then the third void was a great education system for our kids," Harry recalls. These observations became the Foundation's three pillars: athletics, arts, and education. Since then, the VVF has expanded to include a fourth pillar of community supports.
As VVF Board Chairman for 35 years, Harry worked alongside community leaders, including President Gerald R. Ford and Mrs. Ford, to turn vision, concepts, and ideas into concrete action. Susan, with her background in education and event planning, became equally instrumental in the VVF’s success, particularly in bringing the community together through social events.
Creating Cultural Landmarks 
One of the Framptons' proudest achievements was spearheading the revival and construction completion of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. "When we took that over in the ‘80s, construction had stopped on it," Harry remembers. “There were a huge number of people who said we should never build anything that far out of town. But we thought, ‘if you build it, they will come.’ And they did.”
Harry’s vision to create a world-class entertainment venue proved hugely successful beyond what even he could have predicted. The Amphitheater has since undergone five renovations, becoming what Harry calls "almost a downtown square for Vail," hosting a wide variety of events including high school graduations, celebrations of life, the Vail Dance Festival, to community gatherings, Hot Summer Nights, and some of the greatest rock, pop, and comedy artists in the world.
Susan's leadership as Social Committee Chair for three FIS Alpine World Championships ('89, '99, and '15) helped establish the Vail Valley as a premier international skiing destination. Her natural talent for bringing people together – honed since her college days organizing sorority events – proved invaluable in creating the inclusive, community-focused atmosphere that defines the VVF’s world-class programming.
A Legacy of Community Engagement
The Framptons' commitment to the Valley extends far beyond the VVF. Susan has dedicated countless hours to organizations including the Bright Future Foundation, Red Sandstone Elementary School, and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, among many others. "Philanthropy, in any area in which you can support, is so important. You see firsthand what it does for your community, and it also does great things for you as a human being," Susan reflects. "There are so many worthy causes to support, and every little way you can contribute adds up to create a better world for everyone."
The Framptons’ vision for community involvement has always centered on collective effort. "Whether you give a nonprofit $100 a year or whether you give them $100,000, it's the collective nature of the process that makes a difference," Harry emphasizes. “It takes all of us.”
Inspiring Future Generations
Today, the Framptons continue to champion the VVF’s evolution and growth. "If you stand still, you're going backwards," Harry notes, expressing admiration for the VVF's current initiatives and leadership, including the creation of a new early childhood education and development center in Avon. Both Harry and Susan are particularly passionate about engaging the next generation of community leaders and philanthropists.
"The VVF has done a really good job of starting to get people who are younger than we are involved in not only giving money but also working on the community and being a part of its success," Harry shares. “The baton has to be passed, and young people are taking that up, becoming engaged in trying to make the Vail Valley an even better community.”
The Framptons' story demonstrates how committed individuals can transform a community. Their legacy, built over consecutive years of unwavering support, continues to inspire others to contribute to the VVF’s unique culture of excellence. This sustained commitment has a profound impact, fostering long-term growth and stability within the community, proving that when people come together with shared purpose, extraordinary things are possible.
To learn more about how you can contribute to the Vail Valley Foundation's mission of providing leadership in arts, athletics, and education, and addressing community needs to enhance our Valley as a place to live, work, and visit, please visit www.vvf.org/support or contact Director of Philanthropy Stephen Licciardi at [email protected].
