Grant funding of $152,500 will go to support the work of nonprofits in the Southwest region.
El Pomar Trustees approved $152,500 allocated to nine nonprofit organizations in the southwest region at the foundation’s July trustees meeting. A major focus of this grant funding cycle was mental health, with five of the nine awardees funding youth and adult mental health programs.
Archuleta County and La Plata Youth Services, Inc. of Durango each received a $25,000 regional council grant for mental health programs. San Juan Board of Cooperative Education Services of Durango received a $40,000 regional council grant for mental health youth programs. Silverton School District and The Piñon Project of Cortez received regional council grants of $20,000 and $30,000 respectively for mental health programs.
La Plata County Search and Rescue and Still Water Foundation of Durango each received $2,500 regional merit grants for general operating support, and 4 the Children of Durango received a competitive grant of $5,000 for general operating support.
Pagosa Springs Arts Council received a trustee merit grant of $2,500 for children’s summer art camps.
Founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937, El Pomar Foundation has an established legacy of general purpose grant making throughout the state of Colorado. The competitive process remains the Foundation’s primary vehicle for organizations to receive funding, which accepts applicants on a rolling basis. Additionally, over the last 80 years, El Pomar has either developed or been entrusted with the stewardship of a number of other funds, as well as presenting trustee merit grants.
The Regional Partnerships program was established in 2003. Each of the Foundation’s eleven 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 first-hand information about current needs in their own communities.
For more information, visit www.elpomar.org/grant-making/el-pomars-funds.
dgladden@durangoherald.com
