Published on
January 23, 2026
Boyne Resorts, the largest family-owned four-season resort company in North America, has announced the establishment of the Boyne Forever Foundation (BFF), which is a new 501(c)(3) public charity. This initiative marks another important milestone in the company’s pioneering efforts in community building, environmental stewardship, and employee advocacy. As a large-scale philanthropic endeavor, BFF hopes to connect all 13 resorts in the Boyne portfolio to strengthen their ability to support causes in the community and the country.
The opening of the Boyne Forever Foundation is a proud moment for the company, which has had deep roots in the surrounding communities for almost 80 years. The Foundation will be focusing on three primary areas of importance: investing in the community, taking care of the people who work at the resorts, and protecting the natural resources in and around the resorts.
An Ongoing Commitment to Communities, the Environment, and Preservation
The Boyne Forever Foundation will, through its three strategic pillars, work to promote the values Boyne Resorts has represented since its founding in 1948. With these initiatives, the company will continue supporting people and communities that have helped foster its growth over the years.
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First on the agenda, the foundation will channel resources into the communities where each of Boyne Resorts’ properties is located. This will mean investing in the communities’ initiatives, developing the community, and ensuring that the resorts’ presence is constructive. Working on meaningful, sustainable initiatives, the BFF will aim to generate real positive change in the regions it works in.
Secondly, the focus will be on the selfless and tireless efforts of the people who keep the resorts running. This will mean creating systems to support the employee, from hardship grants to educational opportunities. The Foundation seeks to empower and support the people who are the “silent engines” powering the Boyne Resorts.
The last focus area is environmental. The Foundation will aim to keep the natural Boyne Resorts mountains and ensure that the Resorts will have sustainable practices to keep the external wild spaces and their natural systems. The Boyne Forever Foundation will be positively impacting the enjoyment and use of the natural resources by the generations who will come after us.
Boyne Forever Foundation: Commitment to Adventure Sports
Zoe Kalapos, a professional snowboarder and ambassador for the Boyne Forever Foundation, is a Michigan local and a lifelong member of the Boyne Resorts Family. Kalapos feels a special attachment to Boyne Resorts, as she recalls her dad buying her a snowboard at The Highlands. She considers the resort to be instrumental in her career and personal development. She believes the work the Boyne Forever Foundation is doing will allow young athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to have the same experiences as she did.
Zoe Kalapos wants to encourage as many people as possible to embrace outdoor sports and to build a passion for the outdoors, particularly the natural areas where sport takes place. As she climbed her way to the top of her sport, she wanted to give back to the environment and community that supported her along the way. She wants to ensure that the legacy of Boyne Resorts is passed along for the future to enjoy.
Leadership and The Vision for the Boyne Forever Foundation
Michelle Wein, the Executive Director of the Boyne Forever Foundation, possesses strong personal connections to the Boyne Resorts community, making her a fitting liaison to the foundation. For nearly her entire life, she has been skiing at Boyne Mountain. Presently, she holds a position as Assistant Patrol Director at Boyne Mountain’s Ski Patrol. Her deep local roots exemplify the connection between Boyne Resorts and the community it serves.
Wein stated that the Boyne Forever Foundation aims to honor the legacy of Boyne Resorts and to secure the future for generations to come to experience the sports, the landscapes, and the communities that define the Boyne identity. Her vision is to engrave the legacy of the foundation into the history of each of the 13 resorts as a collaboration to build a positive, sustainable, and interconnected future with local stakeholders, employees, and guests.
Strategic Collaborations for Attainment of the Foundation’s Objectives.
Boyne Resorts, in line with the mission of the foundation, has been able to secure support from founding corporate partner PistenBully, with whom Boyne Resorts has had an enduring collaboration. This partnership highlights the common ground between the two firms, particularly in the areas of long-term sustainability and community-focused initiatives. PistenBully’s support for the foundation will be in the areas of the environment and community, in line with the advocacy for the protection of the environment and the betterment of the people in the mountain resort communities.
The partnership with PistenBully and other collaborators for the foundation will further enhance Boyne Resorts’ commitment to responsible corporate citizenship. The foundation’s initiatives will be made possible through a blend of corporate sponsorship, employee fundraising efforts, and community fundraising efforts. Such diverse initiatives will guarantee that the foundation will successfully secure the funding necessary to undertake initiatives aimed at the environment, communities, and resort teams.
Anticipating the Outcome: Influence Over 13 Resorts
The Boyne Forever Foundation is not only a new beginning for Boyne Resorts, but it is also a unique take on corporate philanthropy. The foundation is an independent public charity and will open its first grant cycle in the spring of 2026. This grant cycle will focus on the environment, community, and scholarships, and will be announced later in the year. The Boyne Forever Foundation will serve an array of initiatives aligned with its mission and the values Boyne Resorts has developed over the years.
For team members, the Foundation will also extend grants and will provide in-kind donations to employees who need assistance. These resources will help ensure that the people who have strived to make Boyne Resorts successful are not left behind in the development and expansion of the Company’s new philanthropic initiatives.
A Lasting Legacy For Future Generations
We have taken our first major step with the establishment of the Boyne Forever Foundation. As with all our initiatives, the Boyne Forever Foundation will help us begin to positively impact the people and communities who will enjoy Boyne Resorts’ environment and adventures for generations to come. Most importantly, the Boyne Forever Foundation will help us protect the natural environments and invest in the people who make these adventures possible.
As the Boyne Forever Foundation grows and evolves, we will continue to embody the principles of stewardship, community, and environmental support that have defined Boyne Resorts for nearly 80 years. Most importantly, the Boyne Forever Foundation symbolizes the promise of Boyne Resorts to provide a thriving and sustainable future for our resorts and the communities we serve.
Final Thought
The Boyne Forever Foundation represents Boyne Resorts’ unwavering dedication to its core values, highlighting environmental stewardship, community support, and employee advocacy. As the foundation embarks on its mission, it vows to create a positive and lasting influence at all 13 resorts—one that will benefit present guests and countless future generations able to enjoy the pristine natural surroundings and world-class adventures at Boyne Resorts.
