FEBRUARY 2024 | MAKING MORE POSSIBLE |
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Nonprofit Support: Record $1.1M Awarded in Community Grants |
The Telluride Foundation announced its 2023 Community Grants at the end of December, awarding $1,100,000 to 75 regional nonprofits. These grants will be distributed to organizations working every day to improve the quality of life in the communities of Nucla/Naturita, Norwood, Telluride, Rico, Ridgway, and Ouray.
This grant cycle, the Foundation received 81 applications seeking almost $1.8 million. Of the $1,100,000 awarded, $135,000 will support capital projects, including restoration of the historic Depot into a new Telluride Science & Innovation Center, a new water source for the Ouray Ice Park, and renovation of the Hispanic Affairs Project’s Center for Immigrant Integration. As has been constant throughout the Foundation's grant making history, the greatest proportion of funds (33%) went to organizations with an emphasis on health and human services. Additionally, the Foundation received 8 applications from new organizations, which had not applied previously, and funded 6 of them, including Rico Trails Alliance, Ouray County Baseball, and Paradox Cycle.
The total investment by the Foundation in our region reached $5.5M in 2023, combining grant awards, programs, and initiatives. Since our inception in 2000, the Telluride Foundation has provided over $85 million in grants and other financial support to the Telluride region. The Foundation is extremely grateful to its many donors who make these Community Grants as well as our additional investment into the region possible. |
Equity & Inclusion: Cultivating A Culture of Belonging
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The Telluride Foundation values equity and inclusion and strives to incorporate it into every aspect of our work, from board and leadership council composition, translation of documents, to ensuring our grant awards recognize community partners that prioritize the same values.
Our efforts to enhance belonging in our region include our sponsorship of Collaborative Action for Immigrants (CAFI). CAFI aims to ensure that Telluride and surrounding communities create an environment where immigrants feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued so they can fully participate and thrive in all aspects of society.
CAFI hosts two signature events, the Community Fiesta in June and Papa Noel in December, and administers an emergency fund for immigrants. Gabi Flores was recently hired as the CAFI Coordinator.
Watch the video to learn more!
If you are interested in attending CAFI's monthly meetings, the schedule can be found on our website. |
Economic Diversity: $22K Awarded to Help Start and Grow Latino-owned Businesses |
The statistics are staggering - 20% of new businesses fail in their first year, and 50% close up shop within five years. Despite these figures, plenty of ambitious entrepreneurs in our community use their strong work ethic, grit, and tenacity to launch businesses, hoping to defy the odds. The Telluride Venture Network (TVN) recently awarded $22,224 to seven Lation local founders, providing the financial support necessary to help them start or expand a business.
For years, Rosy Rivera has made cakes and desserts for her friends’ birthday parties, Quinceañeras, and other special occasions, but she wasn’t sure she had what it takes to turn her hobby into a fully-fledged business. Attending the Bootcamp helped Rivera gain the necessary confidence, and after graduating, she created Jendal Sweet Desserts, LLC. TVN helped her register her business and acquire needed licenses and insurance. She will operate from Ghost Pocket Kitchen and expects to be open by Valentine’s Day.
David Gonzalez and his wife Diana attended our inaugural Bootcamp in 2021. At that time, they were managing the Caravan and were investigating ways to increase sales. They dove into learning more about customer development, marketing, and unit economics and used the empty bellies of their cohort and TVN staff to test new recipes. It was evident that David was a serious entrepreneur with the aptitude and requisite skills to grow a business. We were thrilled to continue working with him and ultimately help him ink a deal to purchase La Cocina de Luz and keep it locally owned and operated.
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Economic Diversity: Apprenticeship Program Expands |
Telluride Foundation’s West End Apprenticeship Program offers hands on professional and trade experience to high school students in both Nucla & Norwood high schools. This semester 8 students are participating gaining experience in healthcare, graphic design, ranch management and culinary arts.
Two 2023 high school graduates who participated in the program (apprenticing at the Basin Clinic in Naturita) are both now attending college; one in the nursing program at Colorado Mesa University, and the other attending Colorado School of Mines, majoring in Quantitative Bio Science & Engineering. We are thrilled that their apprenticeship experience launched them both towards degrees in the medical field.
High school senior Mario Dawson (pictured above) who apprenticed with the culinary staff at Norwood High School was recently accepted to Colorado Mesa University’s Culinary School. He learned a love of cooking and serving others during his Apprenticeship. Mario’s dream is to open a restaurant to serve families who are struggling to put healthy food on their tables. He wants to serve those less fortunate than himself. Mario received a full scholarship through Foster Care. Congratulations Mario!
In 2023, in partnership with Eco Action Partners, the Foundation launched a new Energy Workforce Development Program which offers paid opportunities for students to earn certifications and work experience in HVAC/Heat Pump & Solar system installation and maintenance The program is open to both high school students as well as adults. For more information on the program email elaine@telluridefoundation.org
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Artificial Intelligence 101 |
The room was filled for our third program in collaboration with Telluride Science, Artificial Intelligence 101 - What Is AI and How Will It Shape Our Future? The event featured Moiz Kohari, a Telluride local and an entrepreneur, computer scientist, and tech executive who has spent the past 12 years in the AI and machine learning space.
During his presentation, Kohari explained that AI has been around since the 50's and that the term "Artificial Intelligence" was coined by John McCarthy in 1955. After broadly defining machine learning and LLM (Large Language Models), he shared a personal example of how the effects of AI will be felt in the workplace. While working at the London Stock Exchange, Kohari's team of 10 created a trade surveillance system in 9 months. He explained that with the help of AI tools, that same task could be completed by one individual in a day or a week, tops. He feels that 80% of the jobs we know today will disappear in 5-10 years.
Kohari sat on the stage, feet dangling, to engage with the crowd. He demonstrated the power of AI by asking the audience to provide a few words to help him write a poem. The crowd responded by shouting "snow, powder, and skiing" which he typed into ChatGPT. All eyes were transfixed on his computer as a poem displayed across his screen, typewriter style, in a mere few seconds. The quality was certainly debatable , but it was exhilarating to experience in real-time just how lightening-fast AI already is.
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Telluride Science: A New Home For the Best and Brightest |
Telluride Science is the recent recipient of a Telluride Foundation capital grant to transform the Depot (a National Historic Landmark built in 1891 as a station for the Rio Grande Southern Railway) into the Telluride Science & Innovation Center. In October 2020, Telluride Science purchased the Depot and began renovations in December 2022. Renovations are well underway, with a grand opening this July. With careful restoration, the building will retain its historic charm balanced with contemporary elements. The new building includes significant energy efficiency improvements and a fully remodeled interior with a lobby, three large classrooms, a catering kitchen, and expansive outdoor space. The revitalized Depot will provide a permanent home for Telluride Science as well as a beautiful gathering space for all of Telluride to enjoy. When the building is not in use by scientists, it will be available to rent for special gatherings, weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate retreats, nonprofit events, and more.
Since 1984, Telluride Science has gathered together the brightest minds from around the world to contemplate grand challenges and push forward the boundaries of science. Today, the organization annually hosts nearly 1,400 scientists and engineers from as many as 500 international and domestic scientific institutions, with five Noble prize winners among their ranks. With a permanent home, Telluride Science will have an even greater impact on the advancement of science and technology. Telluride Science is in the final phase of a capital campaign with $3.37M left to raise.
To learn more about Telluride Science and the Depot capital campaign visit telluridescience.org. |
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Rico Trail Alliance: Connecting to the Colorado Trail |
This year, Rico Trails Alliance (RTA) received its first grant from the Telluride Foundation. RTA was formed in Rico, Colorado in the winter of 2017 to improve existing trails and develop trails that accommodate all types of non-motorized recreation (hiking, biking, Nordic skiing, trail running, etc.). RTA's goal is to create a local loop and trail system that will tie into regional trails, including the Colorado Trail and Calico Trail which traverse the valley above the town.
RTA’s current project is the Rio Grande Southern (RGS) River Trail, a river corridor trail that begins in the Town of Rico and extends south 4.7 miles along the former RGS railroad right of way. Over the last 4 years, RTA has partnered with the US Forest Service (USFS), the Town of Rico, and private property owners. The last critical component of the project is to engineer and construct a pedestrian bridge across the Dolores River in the same location where a historic RGS railroad bridge once crossed the river. The bridge is crucial to the project as it will allow the trail to connect from the Town of Rico to the Colorado Trail via the Ryman Creek or the Salt Creek trailheads. The RGS railroad grade’s gentle slope affords the only non-motorized recreational trail that will be accessible to families with young children, beginner and intermediate cyclists, and a more mature population. The RGS River Trail also showcases Rico's mining past, featuring many old mining and railroad structures.
To learn more about RTS visit ricotrailsalliance.org. |
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Donor First Tracks February 16, 2024 March 1 & 15, 2024 |
First Tracks are back! Bundle up and get ready to enjoy the mountain an hour before the resort opens to the public. After getting in a bunch of runs, mingle with fellow donors over breakfast at a slope side home. 7:45am |
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Register for our annual winter up-hill race benefitting the Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund (PI Avy Fund). Skin, snowshoe or microspike from the base of the Gondola to San Sophia Ridge. New this year is a racer swag bag full of goodies for all participants. After the race enjoy complimentary sliders and beverages at Oak before taking in the torch light parade.
5:30pm Oak Street Base of the Gondola |
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Website AccessibilityWorkshop February 22, 2024 |
Taught by Alley Rubadeau, the founder of Chair 9 Marketing, this free event will explore ways to make your organizational website more accessible and user-friendly to people with a variety of disabilities, including sight or hearing impaired. 11:00am - 12:30pm Zoom |
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For many, the time after the holidays is dedicated to self-improvement, but promises of hitting the gym and commitments to "Dry January" are often disregarded by mid-month. For Telluride Foundation's Donor Engagement & Events Manager, Courtney Groves, the momentum doesn’t stop in January. Along with the rest of the cast of the 2024 Telluride Aids Benefit (TAB), she spends up to 5 hours per night rehearsing over the course of 6 weeks to put on the biggest philanthropic social event of the winter. This year's fashion shows are scheduled for February 22-24. Dedicated to the cause of fighting HIV/AIDS by heightening awareness and generating financial support for educational programs and client care, she is not only Dance Capitan this year but also is spearheading the first-ever cast member fundraising campaign. The goal is to raise $10K, but she fully expects to meet that - and then some.
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| Help us grow the Telluride Foundation If you know a community member who may be interested in becoming a donor or a volunteer, please make an introduction! Contact Jason at jason@telluridefoundation.org. With your help, we can Make More Possible! |
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About The Telluride Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of our community members by investing in initiatives and supporting nonprofits in the region.
telluridefoundation.org |
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