The Payroll Department, in partnership with the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, is excited to announce a new twist on its annual nonprofit grantmaking initiative. Replacing the long-running “Meet Your Match” program, the Payroll Department’s Pitch Palooza will provide an interactive, community-driven way to award funding to La Plata County nonprofits.
Through Pitch Palooza, three local nonprofits will be selected to present a five-minute pitch, followed by a five-minute Q&A, to an audience of Payroll Department clients and staff. Attendees will then vote for their favorite pitch, with prize amounts determined by both base funding from the Payroll Department and the option for participants to purchase additional voting chips to boost the grant pool.
The Payroll Department will award:
- $8,500 base grant for first place
- $6,500 base grant for second place
- $4,500 base grant for third place
Eligible applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or fiscally sponsored project working in youth, environment, or human services within La Plata County. This opportunity is geared toward organizations expanding their programs or collaborations that further their mission and need a boost toward sustainable funding.
Important Dates:
- Applications open: Sept. 29, 2025
- Applications close: Oct. 20, 2025
- Top three nonprofits announced: Early November
- Pitch Palooza event: Nov. 18, 2025
Nonprofits do not need to be clients of the Payroll Department to apply. However, past grantees from 2022, 2023, and 2024 are not eligible this year.
For more information and to apply, visit https://www.swcommunityfoundation.org/payroll-department-grant/