WEST END – The Telluride Foundation is hosting pre-application workshops for organizations and people interested in the Paradox Strengthening Community Fund grants. These grants are open to nonprofit, community, and faith based organizations interested in building their capacity to address broad economic recovery issues in and around the communities of western San Miguel, Montrose, Dolores and Montezuma counties.
A representative from applicant organizations must attend one of two meetings in order to be eligible to apply for a grant. A meeting in Dove Creek will be held Wednesday, Feb. 3, 4-5:30 p.m. at the Dove Creek Community Center (403 W. 7th St.); a second meeting takes place Thursday, Feb. 4, 4-5:30 p.m. at Naturita Elementary School (403 W. 7th St.)
The Telluride Foundation received American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Stimulus funding from a Department of Health and Human Service's Strengthening Communities Fund. The purpose of the Strengthening Communities Fund is to improve the ability of nonprofit and faith-based organizations and community groups to promote the economic recovery of their communities. Over $600,000 in grant funding as well as technical assistance and training will be available to nonprofits and faith based organizations to build the capacity of their nonprofits in order to address the broad economic recovery issues present in these rural communities, including helping individuals secure and retain employment, earn higher wages, obtain better-quality jobs, and gain greater access to state and Federal benefits and tax credits.
The focus of the grant will be the western and rural portions of San Miguel, Montrose, Dolores and Montezuma counties, including the communities of Norwood, Redvale, Egnar, Naturita, Nucla, Paradox, Dove Creek and Rico.
The Telluride Foundation, in partnership with the Colorado State Department of Community Services, has hired VISTA Volunteer Karl Shaddock to assist and interface with organizations that are interested in the Paradox grant program, assist with organizing the technical assistance and training, and support the work of the community grants committee. Shaddock is from rural McCook Nebraska, a recent graduate of the University of Notre Dame, and comes with extensive volunteering and nonprofit background. He has experience as a team leader for Take Ten, a youth violence diversion program in inner-city South Bend Ind., an intern at Constare, a nonprofit consulting and research firm, and, a volunteer for four months at the Slum Rehabilitation Society in Mumbai India.
Paradox Strengthening Community Fund Grant applications will be due March 5, 2010 at 5 p.m. The grant application and guidelines are available on the Telluride Foundation website, under the Funds and Initiatives tab, and then the Paradox Strengthening Communities Grant tab, or by the following link: www.telluridefoundation.org/index.php?page=paradox. Those unable to attend a workshop should contact April Montgomery, Telluride Foundation Programs Director, at apri@telluridefoundation.org or 970/728-8717.
The Telluride Foundation exists to create a stronger Telluride community through the promotion and support of philanthropy. It is a non-profit, apolitical community foundation that provides year-round support for local organizations involved in arts, education, athletics, charitable causes, land conservation and other community-based efforts through technical assistance, education and grant making. As a grant maker, The Foundation awards grants to qualified applicants that serve the people living and working in the Telluride area for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life within the region. For more information on the Telluride Foundation, visit www.telluridefoundation.org.
Congratulations to the Telluride Foundation for terrific community work for all in the West End.