Non-Traditional Grantees Nurturing Connection and Support
While many Community Grants flow to established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley recognizes that community building happens in many forms and through diverse partnerships. A smaller portion of our annual Community Grants cycle supports program-based grants to non-traditional grantees: public agencies like Western Colorado University and local school districts, faith-based organizations, and collaborative partnerships that bring together multiple groups around a shared community purpose.
These grants reflect our understanding that resilience and connection don’t emerge from any single sector, but rather from the web of relationships and support systems that span institutional boundaries. Whether it’s a university addressing student food insecurity or faith communities joining together to ensure no one spends Thanksgiving alone or trusting a community to design the best programming for their own community, these partnerships demonstrate how different organizations can leverage their unique strengths to meet community needs.
The stories that follow showcase powerful examples of how three of our non-traditional grantees from 2024 are fostering both community connection and individual resilience in the Gunnison Valley. From creating “chosen family” experiences during the holidays to ensuring students don’t have to choose between basic needs and their education, these programs address fundamental human needs while building the social fabric that makes our community strong.
Interfaith Group Partnered on Community Thanksgiving
A partnership between Church of the Good Samaritan, All Saints in the Mountains, B’nai Butte, and the Gunnison Congregational Church came together to support the second annual Community Thanksgiving held in Gunnison last November. This event is co-hosted by nearly two dozen community organizations and offers an opportunity for those without family nearby to celebrate with community members in the Gunnison Valley. The collaborative grant received by Church of the Good Samaritan, All Saints in the Mountains, and the Gunnison Congregational Church matched funds contributed by those groups to pay for the costs of feeding several hundred community members. They shared this story from their experience at the event:
“Dan, Valerie, and Bob from our church community attended the 2024 Community Thanksgiving dinner. They had hoped to volunteer, but the event had more volunteers than needed, so they grabbed a plate and sat down with others and enjoyed the meal. Each shared that they met new people, shared meaningful experiences of Thanksgivings past, and generally what they were grateful for in their lives. They noted that the event reflected a need within the community to find “family” by people who lived alone or whose family was far away. They came away energized and heartened by the people they met and the stories they shared.”
Community Thanksgiving is a great reflection of the spirit and love in Gunnison County.
Dave Sleightholm, Outreach lead at Church of the Good Samaritan, and Beth Hise, Outreach lead at All Saints in the Mountains, with information about their interfaith partnership. Photo courtesy of Church of the Good Samaritan.
Events for the Community, by the Community
Gunnison County Multicultural Resource Services is part of Gunnison County’s commitment to being a welcoming community. They have been connecting immigrants with resources for more than 20 years in Gunnison County. Many times their services are the first connection new immigrant families have when they move to Gunnison. They requested funding for four collaborative events to build trust and inclusive engagement. Yazmin Molina, Gunnison County’s Multicultural Resource Coordinator, shared the following story about their event Dia del Niño and the engagement that comes from asking community members to take the driver’s seat:
“As we started planning Dia del Niño, we wanted to make sure it came from the community and host a community event that the ideas came from them. We sat down with 4 wonderful community members and the ideas were non-stop! It went from what activities the children might want to see, to volunteering themselves to help in some capacity. One of them volunteered to make a big table with desserts and treats for the kids. For so long, as a service for the immigrant community, we have focused on bringing education and hosting educational events. Sitting in that room, with the community members, a realization came to mind that the community wants to be more involved, and what we offer to the community doesn’t always have to be a room where we bring in an expert and share certain information. Seeing the excitement and commitment to helping host an event has changed the way we are putting events together. Of course, we are still having those educational events but we’ll also keep in mind the importance of working with our community to create events that interest them.”
Kids, and their grownups, enjoyed the treats table at Dia del Niño this spring.
Dia del Niño was a great success and we look forward to more events like this conceived of and led by the community.
On-Campus Resource for Students Facing Food Insecurity
Western Colorado University’s Health and Wellness team is committed to supporting students’ wellbeing in a variety of ways. The Mountaineer Marketplace is part of that commitment. Located right on campus, Mountaineer Marketplace offers a judgment-free place for students, faculty, and staff to access fresh produce, canned goods, and snacks. They shared this story of a student who uses Mountaineer Marketplace to stay healthy:
Student Adam Collins visits the Mountaineer Marketplace weekly. In one of his visits, he shared with us that growing up, he was the youngest of five children. Food was often in short supply, noting that getting seconds was not an option. Having access to the Mountaineer Marketplace let him realize that his family was food insecure growing up and is thankful for having access to the Mountaineer Marketplace now that he is a student at Western Colorado University.
Working in the Mountaineer Marketplace has always been rewarding, but thanks to the funding provided by the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, we were better able to supply nutritional food to our college students. Multiple students have shared with us that because of the Mountaineer Marketplace, they did not have to make the difficult decision between paying for things like rent, healthcare, tuition, their car payment, OR their next meal. You can tangibly feel the relief of the students shopping for food and they are very vocal about their gratitude for the existence of the Mountaineer Marketplace and the funding that the Community Foundation provided.
The Mountaineer Marketplace is stocked with shelf-stable items, fresh produce, and beverages and other refrigerated items. Photo Courtesy of Western Colorado University’s Marketing Team.
Your support of Community Grants and CFGV last year helped provide students on campus with not just food in their bellies, but the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they could commit time to their studies so they can build successful careers in the future.
Weaving Together Community Bonds
These stories illustrate how community building extends far beyond traditional nonprofit work. All three programs exemplify the resilience that emerges when organizations step outside their traditional roles to serve broader community needs. By supporting these non-traditional grantees, donors invest in the innovative partnerships and creative solutions that make the Gunnison Valley a place where everyone can thrive. Sometimes a little bit of help in one area empowers a community member to take their next step in planning for and working towards a brighter future.
Join us on August 6 at 3:30 p.m. for our annual community celebration: Here for Good. Held at the Western Colorado University Ballroom, dozens of nonprofit organizations will have tables to share details of their programs benefitting the Gunnison Valley, your 2025 Community Grantees will have the opportunity to speak, and one lucky attendee will win a drawing to award a grant of one thousand dollars to the local nonprofit of their choice.
Simplified Summary
In 2024, the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley gave money to local groups working in our area to support community members. Here are three great stories about how this money made a difference. First, an interfaith group sponsored the second annual community Thanksgiving. When they attended the event, they noticed how important it is to build connections. Second, Gunnison County Multicultural services noticed what happens when you put the community in charge of community events. Third, Western Colorado University used grant funding to stock a food pantry on campus. The on-campus food pantry makes it easier for students to earn a good education. All these programs help build a stronger community for everyone in Gunnison County.
