Counties Served

El Paso County
Teller County 

FOundation Contact

Katy Rees

2020 HIGHLIGHTS

eDUCATION 

hEALTH & hUMAN sERVICES

aRTS & cULTURE

eNVIRONMENT

Early Connections Learning Centers - $10,000

Colorado Springs Teen Court - $10,000
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Status Code 4, Inc. - $10,000

Colorado Springs Conservatory - $10,000

Rocky Mountain Field Institute - $10,000

PROGRAM uPDATES

• A lot has changed since March 2020. Yet, many nonprofit activities and operations still remain in flux. Our Regional Grants Committee is still monitoring state-mandated regulations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pikes Peak funding cycle will occur, but with an abbreviated application. Pitch Day will either be performed in person or virtually. 
• For the 2021 funding cycle, the Regional Grants Committee will be placing heightened attention on organizations directly serving Southeast Colorado Springs (see map below), East Colorado Springs (see map below), and Teller County. Organizations serving other areas of El Paso may still apply for funding, but should recognize this year's place-based funding focus. We understand that all organizations have been impacted by the pandemic alongside social equality. As such, we hope to target our impact to more at-risk populations and communities. Approximately half of the organizations selected to receive funding will represent these areas.
• We are accepting grant requests in the following categories - general operating support, program support, and capacity and technical support. 
• Our award amounts will be communicated prior to the application period in January.  In general, at least one organization from each focus area will receive a grant.
• Organizations that were awarded a grant from our 2020 funding cycle must take a year off.
• Moniker Staff and Board will be adjusting review perspectives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related impacts for at-risk communities. 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 the 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 Pikes Peak Region's communities at this time. ​

2021 PROGRAM TIMELINE

January
Application Period (due by midnight on 1/31)
February
Foundation Review 
Invitations and Declinations Distributed February 17
 March 
Pitch Day March 4 & 5 
 9-12 months after Pitch Day
Site Visit Evaluations for Grantees

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

Application
Organizations must complete and submit an application to be considered for funding. 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 above). 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, amongst 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 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.  Grant award notifications will be sent and checks will be distributed by no later than one week after Pitch Day. 

Evaluation
Foundation Leadership for each region will 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.