Counties Served

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

Foundation Contact

Drew Rees

​2022 HIGHLIGHTS

education

health & human services

arts & Culture

environment

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado - $8,000

Mancos Valley Dragonfly Preschool - $8,000

Durango Adult Education
​Center - $1,000

Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County - $8,000

Sexual Assault Services Organization - $8,000

The Pinon Project Family Resource Center - $8,000

La Plata Youth Services - $5,000
​

Stillwater Music - $8,000

Durango Arts Center - $5,000

​Durango PlayFest - $1,000
​

La Plata Open Space Conservancy - $8,000

​Southwest Conservation Corps - $1,000
​

program updates

• We have moved to a new, online grant software platform, Submittable. A link to the new login page will be provided on the How to Apply webpage on April 1, 2023. All applicants (new or returning) will need to apply through the new platform.
• The budget for the 2023 Southwest Region funding cycle is $62,000.  We will award 4 x $10,000 grants, 4 x $5,000 grants, and 4 x $500 grants. One organization from each focus area will receive a $10,000 grant. The remaining grants will be awarded based on need and merit.  
• For this year, we encourage participation across our four primary focus areas, which include: Education, Health and Human Services, Arts and Culture, and Environment. Provided the adequate applicant turnout, we will invite at least two organizations from each focus area to present at Pitch Day. 
• We do not have specific funding priorities this year but we anticipate the addition of funding priorities in 2024. 

2023 program timeline

 April 
Application Period - Deadline is April 30
May 
Application Review
Invitations and Declinations Distributed on May 22
 June
Pitch Days 2023 - June 5 & 6 (location TBD)

9 Months Following Pitch Day
Site Visits Conducted with Grantees
​

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 staff reviews applications and selects 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 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.