COunties Served

Eagle County 
Routt County 
Summit County

Foundation Contact 

Rachel Sinton 

2019  Highlights

Please note we changed our High Country Region in 2020.

Education 

Arts & culture

Environment

BookTrails
Roaring Fork Pre-Collegiate

​Chief Theater
Friends of Paradise Theater

Yampa Valley Sustainability Council ​

Program UPDATES

• ​​​Moniker's High Country Region Grants Committee is closely monitoring state-mandated regulations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The High Country funding cycle is still scheduled to occur as originally planned but with an abbreviated application process. Pitch Day will be performed virtually, using an online platform.  
• We are awarding five, $8,000 grants, and two, $4,500 grants. At least one organization from each focus area will receive a $8,000 grant. The remaining one, $8,000 grant and two, $4,500 grants will be awarded based on merit, need and perceived impact. The remaining $1,000 will be split between the final five nonprofits selected to present at Pitch Day. Thus, each organization selected to present on Pitch Day is guaranteed a minimum of $200. If Pitch Day must be cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions, we will reevaluate how to split the additional $1,000. 
• Moniker Staff and Board will be adjusting review perspectives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related impacts. Grant decisions will take into consideration the scope of each organization's work, the number of people served, community need, the organization's response to the current situation and an uncertain future, the organization's resourcefulness, and financial health (good and bad) - among other things. We realize that all organizations are struggling to cope with the unfortunate circumstances associated with this pandemic. Please understand that we intend to consider all of these factors and make decisions in a manner that we feel best serves our High Country Region's communities at this time. ​

2020 pROGRAM tIMELINE

August
Application Period (due by midnight on 8/31)
September
Foundation Review
September 23, 2020
Invitations and Declinations Distributed
October 7, 2020
Pitch Day
***Pitch Day will be performed virtually for the 2020 FundingCycle***
 9-12 months after Pitch Day
Site Visit Evaluations for Grantees 

​Contact Rachel for more information and to set up a Pre-Application Meeting.

Application
Organizations must complete and submit an application to be considered for funding.​ For the 2020 High Country funding cycle, we are utilizing an abbreviated application to streamline the granting process. This application will focus on general organization information, as well as support needs specifically resulting from the COVID-19 fallout. We recommend that organizations prioritize critical operating activities at this time and forego any nonessential programming and projects to ensure sustainability in what will certainly be a difficult financial year for all.  

If your organization is new to our Competitive Grants Program, at least one representative must attend a Pre-Application Meeting in order to be eligible to apply. Pre-Application Meetings may be scheduled at any time throughout the year, except for during the application periods (see below). Our Pre-Application Meetings provide an introduction space; aid in determining organizational fit; and allow for our Foundation Leadership to explain the program in further detail and answer any program-related questions.

Foundation Review
During this period, our Foundation Leadership will review applications and select twelve organizations to present at Pitch Day. We do not currently have specific funding priorities, so selections will be based on perceived merit and regional need, among other criteria. Dates for each region will be provided on our website prior to each application period, and a time slot scheduler and venue address will be provided in the Pitch Day invitation. 

Pitch Day
This is a day dedicated to your organization's pitch.  Each organization that is invited will be allowed 15 minutes to present to the Regional Review Committee (comprised of staff and board members).  The Regional Review Committee will then allow five minutes for Q&A.  Grants award notifications will be sent and checks will be distributed by no later than one week after Pitch Day. 

​Pitch Day for the 2020 High Country funding cycle is scheduled to take place virtually on Wednesday, October 7. Nonprofits should plan to present virtually through an online platform, TBD. 

Evaluation
Foundation Leadership for each region will, in normal circumstances, conduct site visits with awarded organizations. Site visits will occur 9-12 months after grants have been awarded. Staff will contact you to schedule a visit. Site visits are intended for staff and board members to get a better understanding of the organizations funded and to determine if goals and expectations were met during the grant period.