SAN LUIS VALLEY—El Pomar trustees approved $95,000 allocated to five nonprofit organizations in the San Luis Valley region at the Foundation’s September and December meetings.
Through the Foundation’s grant processes, the following organizations were grant recipients:
• High Valley Community Center, Inc.—$40,000 in general operating support; competitive process
• Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley—$25,000 in general operating support; Karl E. Eitel Fund, Trustee merit, and regional council
• North Conejos School District RE-1J—$20,000 toward the North Conejos Activity Complex; competitive process
• Rio Grande County—$5,000 to improve the tourism website; competitive process
• San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition—$5,000 in general operating support; competitive process
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 11 regional councils advises El Pomar trustees and recommends grants to help support its communities.
The San Luis Valley Regional Council recommends grants in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache 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. Applications for regional council grants and regional merit grants are accepted by invitation only.
The Karl E. Eitel fund honors the legacy of Karl E. Eitel, who served as a Trustee of El Pomar Foundation for 23 years. He was a strong advocate for youth and youth development, and this fund recognizes supports organizations that serve at-risk youth throughout Colorado.
To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant making areas, please visit www.elpomar.org/grant-making/
El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in Colorado. El Pomar contributes approximately $22 million annually through grants and Community Stewardship programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities, and civic and community initiatives. Spencer and Julie Penrose founded El Pomar in 1937.