In 2023, the Ballantine Family Fund awarded $275,725 to 116 nonprofits in Southwest Colorado, which includes Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties. The average grant size was $2,377. Trustees approve grants across a broad spectrum of sectors, including arts and culture, environment, animal protection, education, human services, and youth.
Grants awarded by the Ballantine Family Fund in 2023 by sector include:
- Animal Protection – $21,500, representing 8% of giving totals
- Arts & Culture – $54,500, representing 20% of giving totals
- Education – $57,200, representing 21% of giving totals
- Environment – $17,000, representing 6% of giving totals
- Human Services – $87,525, representing 32% of giving totals
- Youth – $29,000, representing 10% of giving totals
- Other – $9,000, representing 3% of giving totals
Trustees approved grants across all five counties encompassing Southwest Colorado, as well as organizations that support the region and are located elsewhere.
Grants awarded by the Ballantine Family Fund in 2023 by county include:
- Archuleta – $32,700, representing 12% of giving totals
- Dolores – $11,000, representing 4% of giving totals
- La Plata – $156,500, representing 57% of giving totals
- Montezuma – $50,525, representing 18% of giving totals
- San Juan – $17,000, representing 6% of giving totals
- Other – $8,000, representing 3% of giving totals
A full listing of Ballantine Family Fund grant recipients can be found on their website, www.BallantineFamilyFund.com. To apply for funding, nonprofits in Southwest Colorado may submit grant applications online at the same web address.
An additional $50,000 in Core Value grants went to nonprofits focusing on literacy. These grants included support for the Durango Adult Education Center ($15,000), as well as funding for local early childhood councils: Archuleta County ($8,000), La Plata County ($15,000), and Montelores ($12,000).
In memory of two philanthropic friends who recently passed, the Trustees also granted $40,000 to local nonprofits. In memory of Betsy Harrison, Mancos Common Press received a $10,000 grant. In memory of Mary Jane Clark, Music in the Mountains received a $20,000 grant and Dig Deep Navajo Water Project received a $10,000 grant.
The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado acts as grant managers for the Ballantine Family Fund and helps by consulting in nonprofit and financial matters. The Ballantine Trustees make independent decisions in granting allocations and funding priorities.
“The Ballantine family has a rich history of supporting the region, which spans nearly seven decades,” says Briggen Wrinkle, executive director of the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado and grants manager for the Ballantine Family Fund. “The Trustees recognize the diverse needs of the community, and they place their unwavering support behind regional nonprofits.”
The Ballantine Family Fund was established in 1957 by Morley C. Ballantine and Arthur A. Ballantine Jr. for the purpose of providing financial assistance to nonprofit causes that benefit the human condition in Southwest Colorado. For more information, visit www.ballantinefamilyfund.com.