COLORADO SPRINGS— El Pomar Trustees approved $147,500 allocated to six nonprofit organizations in the San Luis Valley at the Foundation’s August Trustees meeting. Through the Foundation’s grant making process, the following organizations were awarded grants: 

• Alamosa Bicycle Coalition — $5,000 in general operating support; regional council
• Center for Restorative Programs (Alamosa)

— $10,000 in general operating support; regional council

— $7,500 in general operating support; Karl E. Eitel Fund

• Center Viking Youth Club — $10,000 in general operating support; regional council
• La Puente Home, Inc. (Alamosa) — $60,000 for building relocation and renovation; competitive
• San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center, Inc. (Alamosa) — $5,000 for youth mental health programming; regional council
• Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. (Alamosa) — $50,000 for school-based clinician in the Sanford School District; regional council

Founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937, El Pomar Foundation has an established legacy of general-purpose grant making. The competitive process remains the Foundation’s primary vehicle for organizations to receive funding. Additionally, over the last 85 years, El Pomar has either developed or been entrusted with the stewardship of several other funds, as well as presenting merit grants in each region recommended by Trustees and regional council members. Competitive applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

To increase impact and establish connections across the entire state, the Regional Partnerships program was established in 2003. Each of the Foundation’s eleven regional councils advises El Pomar Trustees and recommends grants to help support its communities.

The San Luis Valley Regional Council recommends grants in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties. Council members are regional leaders in the business, nonprofit, and public sectors and provide first-hand information about current needs in their communities.

The Karl E. Eitel fund honors the legacy of Karl E. Eitel who served as a Trustee of El Pomar Foundation for 23 years. He was a strong advocate for youth and youth development, and this fund recognizes and supports organizations that serve at-risk youth throughout Colorado.

To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant making areas, visit their website at www.elpomar.org/grant-making/.