El Pomar Trustees approved $275,000 allocated to 20 nonprofit organizations and government entities in the Southwest region at the foundation’s February trustees meeting.
Through the foundation’s grantmaking process, the following Pagosa Springs organizations received awards:
- A Safe Place in Pagosa Inc. received $5,000 for general operating support; competitive.
- Aspire Medical Services and Education (Pagosa Springs) received $10,000 for counseling program; regional council.
- Build Pagosa Inc. received $50,000 for Regional Workforce Center; competitive.
- Healthy Archuleta Inc. (Pagosa Springs) received $10,000 for youth mental health programming; regional council.
- The Pagosa Community Initiative received $25,000 for youth programming; regional council.
- Pagosa Peak Open School received $10,000 for after-school programming; regional council.
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 stewardship and leadership development programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations.
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 or- ganizations to receive funding.
Additionally, over the last 87 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.
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, non- profit 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/grantmaking/.