El Pomar Foundation approves $222,000 to local nonprofits

SAN LUIS VALLEY—El Pomar Trustees approved $222,000 allocated to 11 nonprofit organizations in the San Luis Valley region at the Foundation’s May Trustees meeting. Through the Foundation’s grant making process, the following organizations were awarded grants:
• Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley—$133,500 to support the youth development program; Regional Council
• City of Monte Vista—$10,000 for building replacement and renovations; Regional Merit
• Conejos County Library District—$2,500 in general operating support; Regional Merit
• Creede Arts Council—$5,000 in general operating support; Regional Merit
• Creede Historical Society, Inc.—$2,500 in general operating support; Regional Merit
• Creede Repertory Theatre, Inc.—$2,500 for building improvements; Regional Merit
• Equal Representation of Media Advocacy Organization—$5,000 in general operating support; Regional Merit
• Northwest Conejos County Fire Protection District—$2,500 in general operating support; Regional Merit
• San Luis Valley Health Foundation—$2,500 in general operating support; Award for Leadership and Service nominee-directed grant
• The Adoption Exchange—$20,000 to be paid over two years for foster care permanency support; competitive
• Valley Citizens Foundation for Health Care, Inc.—$36,000 to be paid over three years for diabetes prevention and treatment; Regional Council, competitive
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 80 years, El Pomar has either developed or been entrusted with the stewardship of a number of other funds. Competitive applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
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 eleven regional councils advises El Pomar Trustees and recommends grants to help support its communities. The Central Peaks Regional Council recommends grants in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Park 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. Regional councils invite organizations to apply for all regional council grants.
The Award for Leadership and Service recognizes one council-nominated individual from each of the eleven regions who demonstrates an extraordinary level of commitment to his or her community. From the eleven nominees, a committee selects the award recipient who directs a $25,000 grant toward the organization of his or her choosing, while the other ten nominees direct $2,500 grants to an organization of their choosing.
To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant making areas, please visit our website at www.elpomar.org/grant-making/el-pomar-funds/