El Pomar trustees approved $155,800 allocated to 19 nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the Southwest region at the Foundation’s most recent Trustees meeting.
Through the Foundation’s grant making process, the following organizations were awarded grants:
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado (Durango): $15,000 for general operating support; competitive.
• The Community Treehouse (Bayfield): $15,000 for general operating support; regional council.
• Crow Canyon Archaeological Center (Cortez): $1,000 for general operating support; staff merit.
• Dolores County Public Library (Dove Creek): $8,000 for DC Excel After School program; regional council.
• Dove’s Nest (Dove Creek): $10,000 for general operating support; regional council.
• Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering Inc.: $5,000 for general operating support; regional merit.
• Durango Nordic Ski Club Inc.: $5,000 for youth programs in Colorado; Bill and Kathy Hybl Fund.
• DUST2 (Pagosa Springs): $5,000 for youth cycling opportunities; Bill and Kathy Hybl Fund.
• Early Childhood Council of Archuleta County (Pagosa Springs): $4,000 for general operating support; regional merit.
• Explorers Early Childhood Education Inc. (Durango): – $15,000 for general operating support; regional council.
• Montezuma County Public Health (Cortez): $1,800 for RISE suicide walk and related mental health programming; regional council.
• Pagosa Community Initiative (Pagosa Springs): $10,000 for general operating support; regional merit.
• Painted Sky Dental (Bayfield): $6,000 for Archuleta County youth and senior dental services; regional merit.
• Rico Trails Alliance: $10,000 for general operating support; regional merit.
• Silverton Family Learning Center Inc.: $7,000 for general operating support; regional merit.
• Silverton Public Library: $3,000 for general operating support; regional merit.
• Southern Colorado Community Action Agency Inc. (Ignacio): $15,000 for Project Venture program; competitive.
• Southern Ute Indian Tribe (Ignacio): $5,000 for Boys and Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe general operating support; regional merit.
• Southern Ute Indian Tribe (Ignacio): $5,000 for Boys and Girls Club of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe Torch Club program; regional merit.
• Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership (Pagosa Springs): $10,000 for Wildfire Ready Action Plan; competitive.
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 in 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.
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 89 years, El Pomar has either developed or been entrusted with the stewardship of several 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 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 States Olympic Endowment, he believes the ideals of excellence, fair play and hard work through sport are important for athletes as well as children.
To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant-making areas, please visit www.elpomar.org/grant-making/.
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