Community Foundation Celebrates Nonprofits
The Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley (CFGV) celebrated the work of Valley nonprofits Wednesday, July 11th in Gunnison at the Annual Community Grant Celebration. The salute to the Valley’s charitable organizations began with Chris Coady performing his original song, “Here for Good,” about the importance of giving back to one’s community.
CFGV Board President, Doug Tredway, reviewed the process that’s followed prior to grants being awarded, emphasizing good governance as well as filling specific needs in the community. He said, “Today is such a fulfilling day. Whether we are CFGV board or staff, or nonprofits or public agencies, we get a single snapshot of the good that is being done in the Valley.”
This year’s Community Grants fund an inspiring array of 25 agencies. Each will impact the community in a unique way as they carry on their work and live out their various missions: Boomers and Beyond, CAFE – Center for Adult and Family Education, CASA of the 7th Judicial District, Crested Butte Avalanche Center, Crested Butte Land Trust, Crested Butte Center for the Arts, Crested Butte Community School Enrichment Program, Crested Butte Mountain Theatre, Crested Butte Nordic, Crested Butte School of Dance, Crested Butte Wildflower Festival, Family Advocacy Support Team, Gunnison Country Food Pantry, Gunnison Trails, Gunnison Valley Mentors, GVAWL – Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League, Habitat for Humanity, High Country Conservation Advocates, Hispanic Affairs Project, Nurturing Parenting Program, Project Hope of Gunnison Valley, Seasons Schoolhouse, Señorita Rita’s Rockin’ Reading Route Book Bus, Six Points Evaluation and Training, and the Western State Colorado University Athletics Department.
It’s not just about money at the Foundation! CFGV also provides an infusion of technical support and resources to the nonprofit community through its STEP (Sustainable, Tough, Efficient, Purposeful) Nonprofit Program. Additional training programs and staff consultation with nonprofits work along with the Community Grants program to build the capacity of nonprofits; in turn helping them attract more funding from outside the Valley. Strategic education is central to CFGV’s mission as a community foundation.
CFGV donors are the real heart of Community Grants, making it possible to fund a wide variety of requests that reflect life in the Valley. “Our donors make it all happen,” highlights Pam Montgomery, Executive Director of the Foundation. “They entrust their gifts to us. Through our application and review processes, valuable projects and organizations that have significant impact on the Valley are selected for funding. We can respond to the wide gamut of local needs because of the generosity of our donors. The Grant Celebration honors both sides of the grant process – our generous donors and the nonprofits they support through the Foundation.”
Mark Ewing, CFGV Board member, closed the celebration as he circled back to Coady’s song. “A symphony includes each individual singing beautifully, and together they create a harmony that is beautiful and powerful. Together, we are the symphony of the Gunnison Valley.”
To learn more about the Foundation, to become a donor, or to volunteer, please call 970-641-8837 or 970-349-5966 or visit the Foundation’s website at www.cfgv.org.