Whether you know Paul or do not, if you live in Summit County, you’ve probably been affected by his generosity. Paul, an authentically kind and generous person, is a strong community advocate and big supporter of the arts and education.

Paul Finkel listening to students during the Keystone Science School Girls in STEM at Breckenridge Film Festival

The Beginning of Innovative Teaching Grants

Teachers in Summit School District have met him, or at least heard of him, because of the Eileen Finkel Innovative Teaching Grants awarded every year through the Education Foundation of the Summit. The program started in 2001 when a teacher at Upper Blue Elementary asked The Summit Foundation, on which Paul served on the board at the time, would fund a Shakespeare play. Paul and Eileen Finkel funded the Shakespeare play for two years from their private foundation. “That got us thinking, let’s provide some enrichment for students and teachers,” said Paul. “That’s why we created the Innovative Teaching Awards.” Paul then joined the Education Foundation of the Summit board and brought the Teaching Awards with him. When Eileen, a retired teacher and principal, died in 2012, the Education Foundation of the Summit named the awards in honor of her.

Going Beyond Education

Paul has more innovative ideas. “In Summit County, we get seniors’ discounts, which is totally ridiculous. We should have only juniors’ discounts. The seniors that move here have money and they want to give back.”

If you don’t have kids in school, work for the school district, or aren’t particularly worried about the future workforce then you’re probably thinking, “Ha! I haven’t been affected by Paul’s generosity!” But wait, there’s more.  Since retiring here in 1998, Paul has also taken on leadership roles with Breckenridge Music Festival, Summit Public Radio, the Summit County Library Foundation, Synagogue of the Summit, Summit County Arts Council and the Family Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC). He’s been awarded the Michael Altenberg Leadership Award by the National Repertory Orchestra Board of Trustees for his volunteering and financial support. Through his family foundation he has endowed the Eileen and Paul Finkel Auditorium at Colorado Mountain College and the Main Reading Room of the Breckenridge Library.

Paul has been very busy during his “retirement.”

Today’s Teaching Grants

The Eileen Finkel Innovative Teaching Grants have funded many incredible projects over the years, and many have grown into sustainable programs like the Author’s Visits where students hear authors speak of their own writing process. These are projects that could not be funded by the school district’s tight budget. If you would like to learn more, please contact us or help us support the grants by making a donation.

Posted in EFS Blog Posts