By Erin Hannan
El Pomar Foundation
El Pomar trustees approved $150,000 allocated to 23 nonprofit organizations and government entities in the southwest region at the foundation’s September trustees meeting.
Through the foundation’s grant-making process, the following organizations were awarded grants:
• Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado (Durango) — $20,000 for America 250-Colorado 150 Southwest Local Organizing Committee; regional council.
• Crow Canyon Archaeological Center (Cortez) — $1,000 for general operating support; staff merit.
• Dove Creek Care and Share Food Pantry (Cahone) — $2,500 for food security initiatives; regional council.
• Durango Devo — $5,000 for general operating support; Hybl Fund.
• Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership Inc. (Pagosa Springs) – $5,000 for general operating support; regional merit.
• Healthy Archuleta, Inc. (Pagosa Springs) — $2,500 for food security initiatives; regional council.
• Housing Solutions for the Southwest Inc. (Durango) — $5,000 for Housing Our Workforce Locally program; regional merit.
• Humane Society of Pagosa Springs Inc. — $10,000 for emergency medical assistance; Hambrick Fund.
• Ignacio School District 11JT — $10,000 for Title VI general operating support; regional merit.
• LASSO (La Salle) – $7,500 for direct care of equines; Sally Beck Fund.
• Manna-The Durango Soup Kitchen — $2,500 for food security initiatives; regional council.
• Medicine Horse Center — Therapeutic Riding and Equine Rehabilitation (Mancos) – $7,500 for direct care of equines; Sally Beck Fund.
• Montezuma County Public Health (Cortez) — $1,000 for RISE Southwest Suicide Prevention Walk; regional council.
• Pine River Shares (Bayfield) — $2,500 for food security initiatives; regional council.
• RezDawg Rescue Inc. (Lafayette) — $500 for general operating support; staff merit.
• Rico Fire Protection District — $5,000 for general operating support; Wildland Fire Fund.
• Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation (Pagosa Springs) — $10,000 for 100 Extraordinary Women program; regional merit.
• San Juan County Public Health Service (Silverton) — $2,500 for Silverton Food Collective; regional council.
• Spring Creek Horse Rescue (Durango) — $5,000 for direct care of equines; Sally Beck Fund.
• TAILS of Transformation (Mancos) — $2,500 for direct care of equines; Sally Beck Fund.
• Town of Dolores — $25,000 for Joe Rowell Park renovations; competitive.
• Tribal Adaptive Organization (Durango) — $10,000 for general operating support; competitive.
• Wolf Woods (Ignacio) — $7,500 for direct care of animals; Hambrick Fund.
Founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937, El Pomar Foundation has an established legacy of general-purpose grant making. The competitive process remains the foundation’s primary vehicle for organizations to receive funding.
Additionally, over the last 88 years, El Pomar has either developed or been entrusted with the stewardship of a number of other funds, as well as presenting merit grants in each region recommended by trustees and regional council members. Competitive applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The Freda Hambrick Fund supports nonprofit organizations that prevent cruelty to animals, provide direct care and medical assistance, and offer educational programs for the proper care of and attention to animals within the state of Colorado.
The Sally Beck Fund supports organizations providing direct care to equines, therapeutic riding programs, equine education programs and equine-related disaster response programs.
The Wildland Fire Fund assists with immediate emergency needs of volunteer firefighting agencies and first responders throughout the state of Colorado.
The Bill and Kathy Hybl Fund supports Olympic, Paralympic and youth sports. Bill Hybl, a lifetime public servant, has long been dedicated to amateur sport. Currently chairman of the United State Olympic Endowment, he believes the ideals of excellence, fair play and hard work are important for athletes as well as children.
In an effort to increase impact and establish connections across the entire state, the regional partnerships program was established in 2003. Each of the foundation’s 11 regional councils advises El Pomar trustees and recommends grants to help support its communities. The Southwest Regional Council recommends grants to Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties. Council members are regional leaders in the business, nonprofit and public sectors and provide firsthand information about current needs in their own communities.
To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant making areas, please visit https://www.elpomar.org/grant-making/.
El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in Colorado. El Pomar contributes approximately $25 million annually through grants in the areas of arts and culture, civic and community initiatives, education, health, and human services, as well as community engagement and leadership development programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations.
In addition, the foundation owns and operates three historic properties: Penrose Heritage Museum, Penrose House Conference Center and Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun.
Spencer and Julie Penrose founded El Pomar in 1937 with the mission to enhance, encourage, and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado.
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