By Mary Jo Coulehan
Pagosa Springs Area
Chamber of Commerce
The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is in its third round of COVID Consequence Grants and Program Related Investment Loans.
The Consequence Grant is available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies. The grant is up to $5,000 and the money can be used for projects to stabilize infrastructure or make improvements to your organization. Consider website redesign to reach more people or social media exposure. Other projects such as virtual event enhancement capability, creating a new app or accommodating at-home workforce are a few more ideas.
The investment loan is a low-interest loan program of up to $10,000. These funds can be used to grow a new program or enhance an existing program. If you are approved for the loan, the Community Foundation will also give you a $2,500 grant. That is an exciting opportunity for nonprofits that need some upfront cash infusion and can then pay the loan back over time. Applications are due by Oct. 13. Visit www.swcommuntiyfoundation.org/cerf-recovery.com for more information.
The Colorado Community Revitalization Grant is also due Oct. 1. This grant is for projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets or neighborhood commercial centers. It supports projects that combine creative industry workforce housing, commercial spaces, performance space, community gathering spaces, child care centers and retail partnerships for the purpose of economic recovery and diversification by supporting creative sector entrepreneurs, artisans and community nonprofit organizations. Nonprofit and for-profit businesses can also apply. That is why this grant is a great opportunity to collaborate and expand areas of influence and scope of work to tackle some of the issues facing our community. To find out more about this grant, visit www.oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-community-revitalization-grant.com.
