July 14, 2020 – The third round of funding from the Community Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) was distributed this week addressing nonprofit recovery and stabilization for 49 organizations across Southwest Colorado. A total of $175,000 was granted, with disbursements ranging from $1,300 to $5,000. The average grant was more than $3,500 per organization.

A nonprofit needs assessment conducted in conjunction with CERF Round 3 funding demonstrated significant financial worries across the nonprofit sector due to economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. More than one-third of organizations surveyed reported having to lay off, furlough or reduce pay to staff members over the past four months. Revenue streams for nonprofits have been highly impacted from the COVID-19 crisis, with program and event revenue losses this year estimated to be more than $8 million dollars in Southwest Colorado. Offsetting emergency-related grants is expected to cover just 25 percent of the losses in the region.

“Uncertainty in future funding is the primary concern expressed by our local nonprofits,” says Briggen Wrinkle, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “The CERF grant committee designated these recovery funds to support and strengthen nonprofits during these lean times.”

Round 3 emergency funding included matching donations from the Town of Pagosa ($12,000) and the City of Cortez ($10,000).  Archuleta County nonprofits received $25,000, Montezuma County and Dolores County nonprofits received $32,500 and La Plata County nonprofits received $117,500. 

Organizations that received funding in Round 3 are:

Archuleta County (6):

Aspen House

Audubon of the Rockies

Chimney Rock Interpretive Association

Food Equity Coalition

Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership

Habitat of Humanity Archuleta

Dolores County (2):

Dove’s Nest

Reaching Out to Community and Kids

Montezuma County (5):

Good Samaritan Food Bank

Mancos Valley Resources

Montelores Early Childhood Council

School Community Youth Collaborative

Wildfire Adapted Partnership

 

La Plata County (36):

Alternative Horizons

Animas Alano Club

ARC of SWCO

Be Frank Foundation

Boys and Girls Club of LPC

Community Treehouse

Community Connections

Dancing Spirit

Durango Adult Education Center

Durango Arts Center

Durango Choral Society

Durango Early Learning Center

Durango Education Foundation

Durango Independent Film Festival

Durango Playfest

ELHI

Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center

Habitat for Humanity LPC

Housing Solutions

Humane Society of LPC

iAMusic

KDUR

KSUT

La Plata Youth Services

Merely Players

Music in the Mountains

Pine River Arts

Powerhouse/Discovery Museum

Riverhouse Early Education

SCAPE

Sexual Assault Services Organization

SoCoCAA, Ignacio Early Learning

Stillwater Music

Trails 2000

Volunteers of America Safehouse

Women’s Resource Center 

“Nonprofits provide a safety net and improve our quality of life, and we need both now as we navigate the COVID-19 crisis,” says Lynn Urban, President & CEO, United Way of Southwest Colorado. “By providing a financial boost through CERF funds, we help nonprofits to remain stable and to continue supporting the needs of people in the community.”

CERF has infused $500,000 into the community over the last four months. The first two rounds of CERF funding, totaling $201,000, were designated as rapid-response grants distributed in the first two months of the pandemic to human service organizations responding directly to the immediate needs of our community. Another $100,000 was utilized to purchase food for regional food pantries. Additionally, CERF funds have supported other projects, such as Southwest Colorado Disaster Assistance (swcoda.org), Save the Food, Feed the People, and the distribution of protective equipment to nonprofits, such as no-touch thermometers.

“Distributing half a million dollars in just four months has been astounding, inspiring, and a little exhausting,” adds Wrinkle. “Witnessing the generosity of our neighbors is so encouraging; it is what keeps the Community Foundation motivated to tackle the big issues and ensure our vibrant community will land on its feet when this is all over.”

The Community Foundation and United Way of Southwest Colorado are coordinating the efforts of CERF granting in response to the COVID-19 crisis. More CERF grant rounds will be made available as the need arises, as long as donations to the community fund continue. CERF is raising funds and serving nonprofits in all 5 counties in Southwest Colorado. To donate to the Community Emergency Relief Fund visit www.coloradogives.org/cerf or send a check payable to the Community Foundation with CERF in the memo line to P.O. Box 1673, Durango, CO  81302. 

About the Community Foundation serving SW Colorado: We envision a generous, vibrant and inclusive SW Colorado, with opportunities for all to thrive. The Foundation manages more than $6 million in investments for philanthropists in our community, offering invaluable resources to ensure that donors can be impactful with their giving, making a difference in the lives of others.

About the United Way of SW Colorado:  We envision a community where all individuals and families achieve their human potential. We improve lives by nurturing the collective caring of our community.  Through our partnerships, we help approximately 21,000 people annual