COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.— Tuesday El Pomar Trustees approved $50,000 allocated to 10 nonprofit organizations in the San Luis Valley region at the Foundation’s August and September Trustees meetings. Through the Foundation’s grant making process, the following organizations were awarded grants:

w Alpine Achievers Initiative—$10,000 in general operating support; regional merit; Karl E. Eitel Fund

w Boys & Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, Inc.—$2,500 in general operating support; trustee regional merit

w Creede Historical Society, Inc.—$5,000 for a building restoration project; competitive

w Equal Representation of Media Advocacy Corporation—$5,000 for a new transmitter; competitive

w High Valley Community Center, Inc.—$5,000 in general operating support; Karl E. Eitel Fund

w Little Treasures Early Childhood Center, Inc.—$10,000 for playground renovation; competitive

w San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society—$2,500 in general operating support; trustee regional merit

w  San Luis Valley Health Foundation—$2,500 in general operating support; Award for leadership and Service nominee-directed grant

w Tiny Hands Daycare Center, Inc.—$2,500 in general operating support; competitive

w Upper Rio Grande Animal Society—$5,000 in general operating support; trustee regional merit

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 80 years, El Pomar has either developed or been entrusted with the stewardship of a number of other funds. Competitive applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

In an effort 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 own 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 supports organizations that serve at-risk youth throughout Colorado.

The Award for Leadership and Service recognizes one council-nominated individual from each of the eleven regions who demonstrates an extraordinary level of commitment to his or her community. From the eleven nominees, a committee selects the award recipient who directs a $25,000 grant toward the organization of his or her choosing, while the other ten nominees direct $2,500 grants to an organization of their choosing.

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

El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in Colorado. El Pomar contributes approximately $22 million annually through grants and Community Stewardship programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in health, human services, education, arts and humanities, and civic and community initiatives. Spencer and Julie Penrose founded El Pomar in 1937.