TELLURIDE, Colo. (August 20th, 2019) – Since its inception in 2000, the Telluride Foundation has provided significant support to regional nonprofits through its Community Grant process, and this year with many nonprofits financially impacted from COVID-19, these grants will be especially critical. The Foundation conducted a survey of nonprofits in June, 2020 to learn how they were affected by COVID-19 and were responding to current economic uncertainties. The survey results, completed by 63 regional nonprofits, indicated that over 52% had received Payroll Protection Program funding through the federal CARES Act, 48% had conducted scenario planning with 85% closely analyzing their cash flow and budget. By June, 27% had furloughed or laid off staff, and 43% had decreased programs or services. 75% of respondents said they had changed their fundraising plans for 2020-2021. Understanding these impacts and ensuring nonprofits have the tools, knowledge, and resources to continue providing the key community services and programs, which make the Telluride region so special, is a key focus of the Telluride Foundation as it considers its 2020 Community Grants. Starting September 1st, the Foundation will be accepting 2020 Community Grant applications, which will be due Monday, October 19th at 5pm.
Thanks to the generous support of its donors, the Telluride Foundation awarded just under $1 million to 64 regional organizations in 2019 and is the largest grant funder on Colorado’s Western Slope. In 2019 alone, the Foundation provided just over $5 million in grants, including $929,900 in Community Grants. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested over $65 million in the Telluride region through Community Grants and initiatives.
New this year, the Foundation is instituting its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by requiring not only its staff but also any nonprofit awarded a Community Grant to participate in a four-part certified diversity, equity and inclusion training program. The Foundation will pay for one executive staff or Board Chair to complete the training. “Diversity, equity and inclusion training is just the first step as we challenge ourselves and our grantees to look closer at and respond to the inequities in our communities,” said April Montgomery, VP of Programs at the Telluride Foundation. “We will continue to assess our own commitment to inclusion and equity, as well as expect the organizations we fund to join us in this journey.”
Applicants are encouraged to attend the Foundation’s Community Grants Webinar on Wednesday, September 9th at 2:00 pm to learn about new grant questions, how to navigate the grant application process, and pointers for submitting a successful application. Applicants should visit the Foundation’s Community Grants webpage to sign up for the webinar. Applicants who cannot attend the live webinar will be able to listen to a taped recording after September 9th, via a link provided on the Foundation’s Community Grants webpage.
Everything needed to start working on the grant application is currently available on the Foundation’s recently updated website, www.telluridefoundation.org (Click on “Our Work”, click on “Community Grants”, and scroll down to “Community Grants Application”). Starting September 1st, the grant application link will be available on the Foundation’s website, allowing applicants to complete and submit an application. For more information or questions contact April Montgomery, VP of Programs at 970-728-8717 or april@telluridefoundation.org.
Nonprofit, government, or community organizations with programs or projects aligned with the Foundation’s mission of improving the quality of life for the citizens of San Miguel, Ouray, and/or west Montrose counties or Rico, are encouraged to apply for financial support. Applications are reviewed by the Grants Committee, who then makes funding recommendations that are reviewed and finalized by the Board of Directors at their annual meeting in December.
Telluride Foundation’s Community Grants program is just one of the ways the Foundation supports the Telluride community. The Foundation also provides training, workshops, capacity building, and technical assistance for nonprofit organizations, as well as facilitates initiatives in health, community development, broadband, skills-based education, and local food. The Foundation additionally provides emergency hardships grants to low-income residents through its “Good Neighbor Fund.”
The Telluride Foundation exists to create a stronger Telluride and regional community through the promotion and support of philanthropy. 2020 marks 20 years of making more possible through the Telluride Foundation’s commitment to enrich the quality of life of the residents, visitors, and workforce of the Telluride region. The Telluride Foundation is a nonprofit, apolitical community foundation that makes grants to nonprofits, owns and operates programs that meet emerging and unmet community needs, and makes investments. The Foundation approaches this work through the lens of its core values of inclusion, self-reliance, and innovation. Its work is funded through the generous support of individual donors as well as grants from state and national foundations. The Foundation hopes the community will join it in celebrating its 20th anniversary as it honors the nonprofits, donors, and community members who have all partnered together to achieve a significant positive impact on the region. For more information click on www.telluridefoundation.org.
