SOUTHWEST REGION

Counties Served

Archuleta County
Dolores County
La Plata County
Montezuma County
San Juan County

Foundation Contact

Drew Rees

2020 HIGHLIGHTS

education

health & human services

arts & Culture

environment

Mancos Valley Dragonfly Preschool - $7,000

Four Corners Child Advocacy Center - $7,000

The Bridge Emergency Shelter - $7,000

La Plata Youth Services - $7,000

Housing Solutions for the Southwest - $4,000

Dancing Spirit Inc. - $4,000

Durango Arts Center - $7,000

San Juan Mountains Association - $7,000

program updates

For the 2021 Southwest Region funding cycle, Moniker will be awarding 7, $6,000 grants and 2, $4,000 grants. The application process will be abbreviated again like last year and will focus primarily on an overview of general operations, your organization's COVID-19 response, and your case for support. We recommend that organizations make an effort to focus their requests on core programming/operations and capacity support given the current situation.

Remember that if your organization is new to this program, you must attend a Pre-Application Meeting prior to April 1, or you will not be eligible to apply. If your organization has applied previously but you have questions about your 2021 request, you may schedule a meeting prior to April 1 as well. Please reach out via email to schedule.

Twelve organizations will be selected from the pool of applicants to participate in Pitch Day. At least two organizations from each focus area will be selected to participate and at least one organization from each focus area will receive a grant award of $6,000. The remaining grants will be awarded based on merit and perceived need, amongst other considerations. Due to safety concerns with the pandemic, Pitch Day will be conducted virtually via GoToMeeting and will actually take place over two days to allow for extra flexibility.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

2021 program timeline

April
Application Period (due by midnight on 4/30)
May
Foundation Review
Invitations and Declinations Distributed by May 19
June
Pitch Days 2021 - June 7 & 8
9 Months Following Pitch Day
Site Visit Evaluations Conducted with Grantees

Please contact Drew for more information and to set up a Pre-Application Meeting. Pre-Application Meetings may be scheduled up to March 31, 2021.

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 schedule and 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 April application period. 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 to ten 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.