Lake County Reaps El Pomar Funds

Grants to Assist Youth, Victims

On Monday, Jan. 13, El Pomar Trustees announced that at the Foundation’s December Trustees meeting they approved $1,012,000 in allocations to assist seven nonprofit organizations in the High Country region, including two in Leadville. Through the Foundation’s grantmaking process, the following organizations were awarded grants:

• Advocates of Lake County, Inc.- $10,000 in general operating support; competitive
• Full Circle of Lake County, Inc.- $241,500 for middle school programming; regional council
• Aspen School District No. 1- $86,000 for Aspen Family Connections; regional council
• Blue River Horse Center, Inc.- $2,000 in general operating support; Sally Beck Fund
• Clear Creek County- $98,000 for the Mountain Youth Network program; regional council
• Eagle River Youth Coalition, Inc.- $419,500 for middle school programming; regional council
• Summit County School District RE-1- $155,000 for the pre-collegiate program; regional council

Founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937, El Pomar Foundation has an established legacy of general-purpose grantmaking. 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.

This majestic beast takes refuge on a beautiful fall day at The Spencer and Julie Penrose House, located behind the Broadmor Hotel in Colorado Springs. Photo: Leadville Today.

Each of the Foundation’s eleven regional councils advises El Pomar Trustees and recommends grants to help support its communities. The High Country Regional Council recommends grants in Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake, Pitkin and Summit 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 Sally Beck Fund supports organizations providing direct care to equine, therapeutic riding programs, equine education programs, and equine-related disaster response programs. To view a full listing of El Pomar’s funds and grant-making areas, please visit their website.

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.

Senior News: Meals and Transportation

In news for older folks living in Leadville Today, it’s a good time to remind readers about the Lake County Senior Center which offers a variety of senior services, programming and volunteer opportunities as well as rental space for meetings and special events.   Please contact the Aging Well Coordinator for more information at 719-427-7417 or email: lakecountyseniorcenter@gmail.com.

Senior Center services currently being provided include:

• Meals on Wheels and Congregate Meals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays at noon (suggested donation of $3 for ages 60+ OR $11.00 meal for all guests under the age of 60). Reservations should be made by 9 a.m. by calling Loretta at 719-486-1774.
• Transportation to and from medical appointments.  Monday – Friday (by appointment only).  Call Judy for availability 719-486-1774.  We transport anywhere in Lake, Chaffee, Eagle & Summit Counties.  At least a 24-hour notice is required.
• The Senior Center Food Bank is available to all ages of the community and is open on the first Tuesday of each month from 10 – 11 a.m.
• Food commodities are available to qualifying seniors in Lake County.  Please call the Senior Center for more information and to sign up.

The Leadville/Lake County Senior Center is located at 621 W. 6th Street. The building was originally brought down from Climax and sits adjacent to the Huck Finn Ice Rink.