Onward! A Legacy Foundation of Southwest Colorado on Sept. 1 opened its annual grant cycle for another year. It closes Oct. 15.
The foundation, in operation for 17 years, helps investors easily and safely make donations to funds that provide income for nonprofits, relations director Nicci Crowley said in a press release.
In 2017, Onward awarded grants to 12 regional nonprofits, including the Four Corners Community Band, School Community Youth Collaborative, Mancos FoodShare, Hospice of Montezuma, Willowtail Nature Preserve and Education Center, Mancos Public Library, Dove Creek Recreation, Durango Cowboy Gathering, United Search and Rescue of Montezuma County, Montezuma County Public Health, Dolores River Boating Advocates and San Juan Mountains Association.
Short-term (maximum 1 year) grants of $500 to $3,000 will be disbursed this cycle. Grant documents and information will be available at onwardfoundation.org.
To be eligible to apply for a grant, an organization must:
Be a nonprofit project or organization in and providing services to Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, Archuleta or San Juan (Colorado) counties.Have 501(c)(3) status.Have an accountable structure such as a board of directors or similar governing body.Have defined goals and a method for evaluating success for the proposed grant activity.Four additional fund partners will participate in the grant cycle to raise the level of giving, Crowley said.
“This is an exciting time for our communities,” she said. “Onward hopes you will share in the development of our region.”
The Cortez-based Onward has a $3.1 million portfolio and has distributed $1.3 million since 2002 in grants, scholarships and institutional support, Crowley said. Fourteen funds have given more than 170 students scholarships totaling more than $912,000, and nine nonprofits in Southwest Colorado have operated with Onward’s assistance, she said.
