The El Pomar Foundation approved $35,803 allocated to six nonprofit organizations and government entities in the southwest Colorado region at the Foundation’s December 2025 trustees meeting.
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.
Through the foundation’s grant making process, the following organizations were awarded grants:
Upper San Juan Search and Rescue (Pagosa Springs): $5,000 for technical rescue equipment; competitive.
Durango Film Institute: $3,500 for REEL Learning School program; competitive.
Mountain Studies Institute Inc. (Silverton): $5,000 for general operating support; competitive.
Onward! A Legacy Foundation (Cortez): $10,000 for Good Sams Food Pantry and Montezuma/Dolores Community Relief Fund; regional council.
Renew Inc. (Cortez): $10,000 for general operating support; competitive.
San Juan County Public Health Service (Silverton): $2,303 for Silverton Food Collective; regional council.
To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant making areas, please visit www.elpomar.org/grant-making/