The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado is offering pandemic recovery grants through the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to nonprofits across Southwest Colorado. $300,000 has been designated for 2021 recovery funding, available through four rounds of granting this fall. This week, the first round of funding was approved, with $75,000 granted to 28 organizations. Funding ranged from $1,000 to $5,000 for each nonprofit. Grant amounts were based, in part, on organizational budget size. The average grant was more than $2,500 per organization.
The available recovery funding includes $150,000 designated from donations made by individuals to CERF, as well as a matching gift from an anonymous donor, creating a $300,000 infusion for the nonprofit sector which is rebounding after the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So many nonprofits have stepped up to serve our community during the difficulties of the past year and a half,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “While there have been many success stories in 2020 and 2021, there is still a considerable amount stress regarding the uncertainty about what the future holds. That’s why we are offering recovery funding, to allow nonprofits the opportunity to build capacity for whatever 2022 and 2023 may bring.”
There are three opportunities available to nonprofits through the Foundation’s CERF Recovery Funding Toolkit, including restricted and unrestricted grants, as well as low-interest loans. Nonprofits may select one option to apply for funding. Details about the application process can be found at www.swcommunityfoundation.org/cerf-recovery. The application deadlines for the final three grant rounds are September 8, October 13, and November 10.
Organizations that received funding in Recovery Funding Round One:
Archuleta County (1):
- Loaves & Fishes
San Juan County (2)
- San Juan Development Center
- Silverton Creative District
Montezuma County (8):
- Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
- Galloping Goose Historical Society
- Mancos Common Press
- Mancos Creative District
- Mancos Valley Resources
- Montezuma Youth Alliance
- Painted Turtle Studio & Gallery
- Willowtail Springs
La Plata County (17):
- 3rd Avenue Arts
- Animas City Night Bazaar
- Be Frank Foundation
- Boys and Girls Club of LPC
- Community Connections
- Durango Adult Education Center
- Durango Creative District
- Durango Independent Film Festival
- Durango Trails
- Heart Safe La Plata
- La Plata Historical Society
- Mountain Studies Institute
- Parker’s Animal Rescue
- San Juan Symphony
- Seed Studio
- Southwest Conservation Corps
- The Grief Center of SW CO
To donate to the Community Emergency Relief Fund visit www.coloradogives.org/cerf or send a check payable to the Community Foundation with CERF in the memo line to P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO 81302.
About the Community Foundation serving SW Colorado: We envision a generous, vibrant and inclusive SW Colorado, with opportunities for all to thrive. The Foundation manages more than $8.5 million in investments for philanthropists in our community, offering invaluable resources to ensure that donors can be impactful with their giving, making a difference in the lives of others.