El Pomar Foundation’s Colorado Assistance Fund (CAF) was recently activated by El Pomar’s Board of Trustees to support nonprofit organizations all over Colorado providing food assistance in their communities.
The trustees approved $1.5 million in grants to be distributed in the next week, ahead of the holiday season. This activation of CAF is in response to increasing food prices and growing food insecurity, as well as recent suspension of federal funding to critical food systems. The emergency funding is intended to provide some relief to both nonprofits working tirelessly to fill the gap and individuals counting on these systems.
Thanks to the year-round good work of hundreds of food security organizations across the state, from small community centers and churches to large regional food banks like Care and Share and Food Bank of the Rockies, thousands of individuals and families can rely on their important services every day. In moments like this, their important work becomes even more critical.
“Food insecurity continues to affect far too many families across Colorado, and the current need is as urgent as ever,” said El Pomar President and CEO Kyle H. Hybl. “This is a stark reminder to each of us of our obligation to be in service to community, in our own ways and always — whether that’s through civic, nonprofit, church, school or neighborhood engagements. While we know issues like these are bigger than any one of us can solve, we hope this funding can come alongside other efforts to make a sizable difference.”
Recommendations for this CAF activation came from El Pomar Trustees, staff, and El Pomar’s 72 regional council members across the state. In total, 112 organizations all over Colorado will receive grants, reaching communities throughout the state.
Southwest Region grants include:
- Archuleta Seniors Inc., $8,000
- Healthy Archuleta Inc., $15,000
- Manna-The Durango Soup Kitchen, $10,000
- Pagosa Community Initiative,$5,000
- Pagosa Rotary Community Assistance Fund, $5,000
- Compañeros: Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center, $5,000
- Dove Creek Care and Share Food Pantry, $22,000
- The Piñon Project, $10,000
A complete list of these grants can be accessed at https://bit.ly/4qT4w3T
“Time and again, Coloradans have demonstrated resiliency, rising to the opportunity to show compassion and care for one another,” added Hybl. “This is clearly one of those moments.”
This is the 11th time El Pomar Foundation has activated its CAF. The CAF was previously activated in five phases between 2008-2012 during and in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, in four phases in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently in 2023 to bolster nonprofit staff and leadership capacity-building and planning initiatives. Since it was first activated, the CAF has now distributed nearly $12 million in grants to nonprofits.
For a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant-making areas, visit https://www.elpomar.org/grant-making/
About El Pomar
El Pomar 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 engagement and leadership development programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations. In addition, the foundation owns and operates three historic properties: Penrose Heritage Museum, Penrose House Conference Center, and Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun.