Blog
Celebrating 80 Years - Scientia et Disciplina, 2017, Colorado College
Colorado College is the oldest institution of higher education in Colorado Springs and El Pomar Foundation’s largest grant recipient to date. The connection between the college and the Foundation is owed to the school’s prominence in the community in the early twentieth-century, and Spencer and Julie Penrose’s committed support for education.
Celebrating 80 Years - On the RISE, 2016, Southeast Colorado Springs Initiative
Creating livable communities to work, play, and stay requires the vision and engagement of many. It demands vision of community members, the financial support of many, and robust partnerships with nonprofit, local government, and business entities. With this in mind, El Pomar released Possibilities: Southeast Colorado Springs Request for Proposal, which led to El Pomar’s support of the RISE (Resilient, Inspired, Strong, Engaged) Coalition.
Celebrating 80 Years - WiFi for Westcliffe, 2015, Upper Arkansas Regional Service Council
Throughout rural Colorado, access to fast and reliable internet can be an important driver of economic development and regional vitality. In 2015, the Central Peaks Regional Council recommended a matching grant to help bring broadband access to Westcliffe in advance of the Ride the Rockies bike race.
Celebrating 80 Years - 2014, United States Olympic Museum
As “Olympic City USA,” Colorado Springs is home to the United States Olympic Committee headquarters, more than 20 national governing bodies of sport, and over 10,000 Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls hone their craft at the training center every year. Opening in spring 2020, the United States Olympic Museum will add another element to the City’s proud Olympic landscape.
Celebrating 80 Years - 2013, Northeastern Junior College and Morgan Community College
Education and workforce development are essential and interconnected elements for the success of a community. In the plains of northeast Colorado, Northeastern Junior College and Morgan Community College provide opportunities for students to develop valuable, meaningful skills in order to find career success and give back to the local region. From 2011 to 2014, El Pomar’s Northeast Regional Council supported business coursework and a business plan competition at each school.
Celebrating 80 Years - 2012, Colorado Springs Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Section
In 2012, the Waldo Canyon Fire threatened thousands of homes and businesses in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Woodland Park. Once the fire was contained and residents were safe, the Colorado Springs Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Section returned to its important work educating the community about best practices for wildfire mitigation and providing consultations and land management to ensure the safety of the region.
Celebrating 80 Years - Supporting Early Childcare in the North Region, 2011, United Way of Weld County Promises for Children
Since 2005 the North Regional Council has actively worked to support the well-being of northern Coloradans by leveraging the expertise of leaders from Boulder, Larimer, and Weld counties. One of the Council’s first multi-year grants was to create and support an early childhood education project called “Best Start for Babies” that now operates as part of the United Way of Weld County’s Promises for Children program.
Celebrating 80 Years - “Resilient Lake County,” 2010, Advocates of Lake County & Lake County Build A Generation
Lake County is known as the home to Mount Elbert, the highest peak in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountain range. Over the years, the well-being of the county and its communities has been a priority of the work of El Pomar’s High Country Regional Council, including grants to Advocates of Lake County and Lake County Build A Generation. The Council has been proud to support organizations working hard to improve the well-being of this uniquely beautiful and resilient part of the state.
Celebrating 80 Years - 2009, American Council of Young Political Leaders
Since 1993, El Pomar Foundation has collaborated with the American Council of Young Political Leaders, a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3), to bring emerging political leaders from around the world to Colorado. The partnership has brought more than 60 delegations from 40 countries to Colorado, and introduced over 450 participants to aspects of the Centennial State’s local government, policymaking, and politics.
Celebrating 80 Years - Serving Essential Needs in Difficult Times, 2008, Care and Share Food Bank
Food insecurity can be one of the most complex issues faced by a community, with consequences that compound and exacerbate challenges in other areas like education, economic development, and public health. Founded in 1972, Care and Share Food Bank works each day toward its vision of a hunger-free southern Colorado by providing millions of pounds of food each year to partner agencies in 31 counties.