The Chaffee County Community Foundation recently awarded $30,000 in charitable grants, funded by the SDCEA Community Grant program, to 16 organizations serving Chaffee, Lake, Fremont and Custer counties. SDCEA and CCCF are in their second year of partnership to manage SDCEA’s Community Grant and Matching Grant programs.
“The partnership with SDCEA is truly incredible, and we’re honored to provide this grant review and administration service to such an important community partner,” shared CCCF Board Member and Grants Committee Chair Rachele Vierthaler.
Congratulations to the 2021 grant recipients: Guidestone, ElevateHer, Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative, Colorado Farm to Table, Boys and Girls Club of Chaffee County, West Central Mental Health, Chaffee County Early Childhood Council, Chaffee County Childcare Initiative, Southwest Conservation Corps, Howard Volunteer Fire Department, Achieve, Inc., Colorado Theater in Non Traditional Spaces, Ark Valley Helping Hands, The Alliance, Foodshed Alliance, and the Congregational United Church of Christ/Backpack Food Program.
Applicants applied through the CCCF’s grant portal, and applications were evaluated by a special review committee comprised of individuals from four of the counties served by SDCEA. The reviewers played an integral part in the grant review process by conducting thoughtful and thorough reviews, discussions and site visits for each application.
Paul Erickson, SDCEA CEO, said, “One of SDCEA’s guiding principles is to support the communities we serve. Through the SDCEA Community Grant program, we are elated this year to be able to help support organizations in the provision of food, activities promoting health and safety, the improvement of watershed health, assistance to older adults and to youth, and more. We are grateful to be able to have this impact in our region through the grant program and from the generous participation in the Power of Change program by our consumers.”
About the Program:
SDCEA’s Community Grant program funding is made possible by allocating capital credits donated back to the cooperative for charitable giving. Added to the total are the contributions of SDCEA consumers who participate in the Power of Change (formerly Operation RoundUp) program. Power of Change participants round their bill up each month to the nearest dollar, and the proceeds go toward the Community Grant fund.
To sign up for the Power of Change program, please visit SDCEA’s website, myelectric.coop and read about the details under the Community tab. Power of Change donations may be tax-deductible.
For more information on the SDCEA Community Grant or Matching Grant programs, visit SDCEA’s website, myelectric.coop or follow the electric cooperative on Facebook or Twitter. Interested community members can also learn more at CCCF’s website at www.chaffeecommunity.org.
