Western Colorado Foundations Open Grants for Local Nonprofits

Glenwood Springs —Western Colorado Community Foundation and Two Rivers Community Foundation have opened grant applications for local nonprofits. The money is real. The deadlines are set.

The Western Colorado Community Foundation is accepting applications for its Conservation, Outdoor, Recreation, Environment (CORE) Fund. The Two Rivers Community Foundation is accepting applications for its T.R.U.E. Fund.

These are not theoretical pools of money. They are established funds with specific rules. They are not open to just anyone. They target specific geographic areas and specific types of work.

Sarah Fuller, program officer for the Western Colorado Community Foundation, outlined the split. The funds have different focuses. That distinction matters to applicants.

The CORE Fund targets conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental stewardship. It looks for projects that tackle climate change. It funds work addressing water issues. It supports stewardship of public lands. It also funds meaningful outdoor experiences for under-resourced communities.

The T.R.U.E. Fund is broader. It stands for Two Rivers Unrestricted Endowment. It serves Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and New Castle. It accepts applications from any type of nonprofit organization in that area. The goal is simple: make grants to nonprofits serving the community.

The CORE Fund operates differently than most charitable funds. It functions as a giving circle. Financial contributions are pooled. Members vote on which causes to support. It is democratic. It is not decided by a single board member or a distant committee.

“The CORE Giving Circle brings together individuals who are passionate about protecting the landscapes, waterways, and outdoor experiences that make western Colorado home,” the foundation stated. Members recommend grants. They vote. They celebrate at the end of the year.

The track record is established. The foundation reports the giving circle has awarded over $280,000 to over 40 organizations. Those organizations do CORE-related work across western Colorado. That is a significant sum for local impact.

The CORE Fund application window runs from August 10 through Sept. 11. Funding is available for projects serving communities within the foundation’s service areas. Those areas include Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Rio Blanco counties.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. They must be recognized by the IRS. Other qualified charitable entities can apply as well.

The T.R.U.E. Fund supports eligible nonprofit organizations serving Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and New Castle. This partnership with the Two Rivers Community Foundation allows the Western Colorado Community Foundation to extend its reach into those specific hubs.

Fuller noted the CORE Giving Circle members really care about the issues. They vote for projects. The process is transparent. The funding is directed by people who live in the region.

Nonprofits looking for unrestricted funding should look at T.R.U.E. Nonprofits focused on the environment and outdoor access should look at CORE. Both require applications. Both have deadlines.

The money is there. The organizations are ready. The question is whether local nonprofits can secure their share of the $280,000-plus already distributed by the CORE fund alone, plus the additional capital in the T.R.U.E. fund.

Applications are open now. The window closes in September. Time is the only constraint.