JFK was created in 2000 by Bill Carstens, long-time Telluride resident, entrepreneur and philanthropist. JFK is funded by an endowment established by Mr. Carstens, the Carstens Family Fund at the Denver Foundation. Each year the endowment matches proceeds from our annual fundraiser, Mountains to Desert Bike Ride (M2D) and private donations. .

Mr. Carstens passed away in 2006 and while much of his entrepreneurial talent cannot be duplicated, the JFK board emphasizes a few core Carstens imperatives: valuing innovation, pursuing a creative route to overcome challenges, intellectual vitality, and maintaining a grass roots familiarity with local needs. We honor our founder with the Man of La Mancha scholarship award for promising graduating seniors who dream and achieve at the highest levels.