OCTOBER 2024 | MAKING MORE POSSIBLE |
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Environmental Stewardship & Economic Empowerment: Clean Energy Founder Forum
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Across the world, startups are trying to solve the challenges of climate change associated with greenhouse gas emissions. With an economy dependent on tourism and snowfall, Telluride is especially vulnerable to these challenges and provided the catalyst for Telluride Venture Network's (TVN) Clean Energy Founder Forum.
Last week, 5 founders from innovative startups across Colorado connected in Telluride as part of the Forum to share experiences, practice pitching, and learn valuable insights about fundraising. The businesses, Gradient Geothermal, Latimer Controls, Aquarry, Longpath Technologies, and Timber Age Systems, are spearheading advancements in methane abatement, AI-driven energy output prediction, and carbon sequestration.
The program culminated in a collaboration with OpenMinds. OpenMinds is a nonprofit focused on the “dual challenge”, finding solutions to the growing demand for affordable and reliable energy while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Founders listened to research presented by OpenMinds’ NextGen leaders, a cohort of high-performing undergraduate students, and PhD and MBA candidates, working on decarbonization projects with corporate sponsors. The format allowed for a lively discussion where founders provided critical insights and important feedback. Afterward, a reception was held where founders and OpenMinds members mingled to explore potential collaborations and possible investment opportunities. Initial feedback showed the program to be incredibly valuable to all involved and different from other climate tech offerings. The Forum sits directly at the intersection of the Telluride Foundation's Economic Empowerment and Environmental Stewardship initiatives, so we expect to host a second Forum in 2025.
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Educational Advancement: 7 Scholars Start School |
The Chang Chavkin Scholars who began their freshman year are off to an excellent start. After dedicating considerable time to aligning each scholar's strengths and interests with their ideal college, they entered confidently and well-informed about the academic, personal, and social resources available. Many take advantage of orientation programs tailored to rural and first-generation students, helping them feel connected before classes begin.
Already, scholars have shared photos of decorated dorm rooms, weekend adventures with new friends, and their favorite spots on campus. Our ongoing work ensures that scholars develop a strong sense of belonging at their institutions, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive—with many saying, "I love it!"
One challenge some scholars face is entering college less academically prepared than their peers, particularly in core subjects like math and science. Our program is committed to supporting scholars with these achievement gaps before they arrive on campus, ensuring they are better prepared academically from the start. Their dedication is remarkable—they are willing to work tirelessly, even retaking challenging math and science classes to master the material and ultimately be prepared for college-level courses.
The success of the Chang Chavkin Scholars program is about much more than academic achievement; it’s about who these scholars become by the time they graduate. As the first in their families to earn college degrees, they break new ground, overcome obstacles, and discover a deeper sense of their potential. Ultimately, our scholars teach us how to shape our program, ensuring they receive the support needed to reach their fullest potential.
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Economic Empowerment: Introducing Telluride Venture Network Loan Fund |
Since 2013, the Telluride Venture Network (TVN) has strived to create a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in southwest Colorado to support new, innovative, and growing businesses through its quarterly acceleration boot camps, business mentorship program, and access to capital. Unfortunately, sources of capital dried up last year after the Telluride Venture Fund elected to forgo raising a 4th fund, and the San Juan Regional Loan Fund closed. Learning of this situation, a long-time donor of the Telluride Foundation and a TVN mentor decided to take action by providing the seed money to start a revolving loan fund. Through his help, TVN has established the Telluride Venture Network Loan Fund (TVNLF) to help regional entrepreneurs access flexible and affordable character-based debt funding. The TVNLF provides working capital loans for business growth and expansion. The program is designed to help businesses create a financial base, effectively creating a bridge to future commercial lending.
Loan amounts of up to $25,000 can be requested. Loan duration will be 1-5 years with an interest rate between 3%-6%, and no collateral is required. Loan funds can be used for equipment, capital improvements, payroll, rent, inventory/supplies, marketing, website creation, liability insurance, and professional services. When loans are repaid the fund is replenished and available to be redeployed to new businesses. If you know an entrepreneur looking to start a business or an owner looking to grow one, please direct them to tellurideventurenetwork.com/loan-fund/ to complete a form indicating interest in the loan fund.
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Voyager Youth Program Hits New Heights |
Voyager Youth Program inspires Ouray County youth to lead healthy lives. With an upstream prevention approach, they support children from age three through high school as they navigate social-emotional growth and cultural pressures.
The Telluride Foundation awarded Voyager a multi-year grant in 2022 that enabled an expansion of three programs. In January 2023, it extended after-school and summer enrichment to three and four-year-olds, addressing early childhood care needs, especially during summer months when no other licensed childcare option exists in the county.
The Foundation's funding also grew the summer teen adventures from one-day trips to multi-day overnight experiences. Teens camped, climbed, retreated at Mount Hayden Lodge, and rafted the San Juan River, fostering friendships, confidence, and connections to nature.
Finally, the grant supported community-level work on youth mental health, helping host the first Ouray County Mental Health Fair in March 2024 and in September 2024, helping to kick off a Parent Engagement Series addressing cultural, media, and peer pressures. Both events sparked vital conversations and subsequent work on youth mental health with the Ouray County Communities That Care Coalition.
Voyager recently welcomed a new Executive Director, Janine Rusnak. Janine’s passion for youth development stems from her belief that every child deserves a safe place and has the potential to achieve greatness. She will lead Voyager’s strategic planning and foster an inclusive and innovative culture among staff and the youth it serves. |
Grant Season is Ovahhh, Let's Celebrate |
September 27th was the deadline for the Telluride Foundation’s Community Grants, so after hitting the submit button, nonprofits were invited to join Telluride Foundation staff to celebrate. This Nonprofit Mingle, hosted in partnership with the Telluride Aids Benefit and held at TAB’s new head quarters, provided an opportunity to mingle with nonprofit colleagues and celebrate that the September grant writing push was over, as September is a busy grant-writing season for many regional nonprofits! Telluride Foundation grants will be awarded by the end of the year.
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Greening the Bottom Line: The Business of Carbon Credits |
In collaboration with Telluride Science, the Telluride Foundation held a panel discussion, “Greening the Bottom Line: The Business of Carbon Credits” featuring experts (Alex Eaton, CEO & Co-Founder Sistema Bio, Campbell Moore, The Nature Conservancy, and Letitia Webster, Goldman Sachs) working in decarbonization. If you didn't get the chance to attend this thought-provoking and informative event, push play to watch the recording. |
| Farm to Fork: A Celebration of Our Region's Agriculture |
On September 12, the Telluride Foundation hosted "Farm to Fork," a vibrant celebration of local agriculture at the newly renovated Telluride Science Depot. The event, which drew nearly 100 attendees, showcased the rich agricultural heritage of San Miguel County and the West End of Montrose County while highlighting the crucial work of the Fresh Foundation.
Chef Race Harrison of Pretty As Plants Catering based in Norwood crafted an exquisite menu featuring entirely local ingredients. Guests savored delectable offerings such as apple ginger pork lettuce wraps, made with pork from Pinion Farm Homestead in Nucla and vegetables from Indian Ridge Farms in Norwood; also served were infused Thai beef rolls using beef from Garvey Ranches in Nucla and vegetables from Birdhouse Farm in Norwood. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from farmers, ranchers, and producers, gaining insight into the challenges and importance of local agriculture.
If you’re interested in learning more about the local producers who shared their products at the event or would like to connect with them to buy fresh produce, meats, herbs, honey, and more; click here. |
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Harvest Celebration Dinner
October 12, 2024 |
Grab a partner and head to an evening of revelry in Norwood. Lone Cone Legacy Trust's annual Harvest Celebration Dinner is a boot-stomping event featuring a delicious buffet-style dinner featuring local restaurants and produce, live music by Ghost River, dancing, and the not to be missed pie auction. The Livery 1555 Summit Road Norwood, Colorado 5:30pm - 9:30pm |
| Business Showcase October 29, 2024 |
Come support the businesses graduating from our 4th Cómo Construir Un Negocio (How to Build a Business) Bootcamp. The cohort will present ideas for new businesses or business expansion. Wilkinson Library Program Room 5:30pm - 7:30pm |
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Volunteer of the Year Party
TBD |
The nominations are in but the winner has yet to be chosen. Stay tuned to our social media channels (Instagram and Facebook) to learn which hero we will celebrate and the party details! |
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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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