Counties Served

El Paso County
Teller County 

FOundation Contact

Katy Rees

2023 HIghlights

2023 proved to be our most competitive funding year.  Applications were plentiful and the need across our four focus areas was dire. We received 25 applications and funded 9 organizations for a total of $70,000. In addition to our traditional focus areas, the 2023 funding cycle had a heightened focus on the below sub-focus areas:

• Behavioral and Mental Health Services
• Basic Needs Services (rent, utilities, food security, etc.)
• Job Training and Placement

eDUCATION 

hEALTH & hUMAN sERVICES

aRTS & cULTURE

eNVIRONMENT

Careers in Constructions Colorado - $10,000
​
Community Partnership for Child Development - $5,000

Friends of the Children - $10,000

The Place - $10,000
​
Community Partnership Family Resource Center - $5,000

National Alliance for Mental Health - $5,000

Pikes Peak United Way - $5,000

Colorado Springs Conservatory  - $10,000

Catamount Institute -
$10,000

PROGRAM uPDATES

​The 2023 funding cycles is now closed. Please check back in October 2023 for information the on the 2024 funding cycle. ​If your organization was awarded a Competitive Grant in 2023, you will need to wait to reapply for funding until January 2025.

2023 PROGRAM TIMELINE

October 1 - November 30, 2023
Pre-Application Meetings for new organizations
January 2024
Application Period (due by midnight on 1/31)
February 2024
Foundation Review 
Invitations and Declinations Distributed mid-February
 March 2024
Pitch Days 2024 - TBD
 9 Months Following Pitch Day
Site Visit Evaluations Conducted with Grantees

​​Contact Katy for more information and to set up a Pre-Application Meeting.​ Pre-Application Meetings may be scheduled up to November 30, 2023.

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 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.