CHAFFEE COUNTY, CO — May 20, 2026 — The Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) is announcing the first awards from its newly launched Enterprise Fund, an initiative designed to support local small businesses that contribute to a sustainable local economy and provide meaningful benefits to the broader community.
Through its pilot Enterprise Growth Grants program, CCCF has awarded funding to two local businesses — jalaBlu and Elemental 5 — representing an early investment in community-rooted enterprises that address local needs while helping strengthen the long-term resilience of Chaffee County’s economy.
“Local businesses are an essential part of a thriving and resilient community,” said Betsy Dittenber, Executive Director of the Chaffee County Community Foundation. “These first grants are an exciting step in exploring how philanthropy can support not only nonprofits, but also the small businesses that contribute to the long-term wellbeing of our community.”
Supporting Community-Centered Growth
jalaBlu, a Buena Vista-based wellness space, was awarded $3,800 to support its evolution into a multi-dimensional wellness collective. The funding will help expand access to services such as yoga, somatic therapy, and integrative healing practices, while also creating opportunities for local wellness practitioners to offer services in a shared, community-centered environment.
Elemental 5, a youth movement training center serving Chaffee County families, was awarded $25,000 to support its planned expansion into a larger facility in Poncha Springs. The expanded space will increase access to structured programs in tumbling, parkour, aerial arts, and other movement disciplines, helping more young people build strength, confidence, and resilience through year-round programming.
Both projects reflect the Enterprise Fund’s focus on supporting businesses that deliver clear and meaningful benefits to the broader community. The pilot grant program is now closed and not accepting new applications as all funds have been awarded.
A New Tool for Community Impact
The Enterprise Fund represents a new approach to community investment by expanding CCCF’s support to small, local for-profit businesses that contribute to long-term economic resilience. Recognizing the vital role these businesses play in fostering a vibrant economy, CCCF is committed to enhancing resources for local enterprises as our community navigates the challenges posed by economic downturns due to weather changes. CCCF is exploring partnerships to provide microloans and bridge grants to help sustain businesses during these difficult times.
For more information about the fund or to make a contribution visit www.chaffeecommunity.org/enterprisefund or contact Betsy at
About CCCF
Founded in 2018, Chaffee County Community Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization established to promote and facilitate philanthropy in Chaffee County, created by and for the people in that area. CCCF acts as a catalyst to inspire positive change through the power of philanthropy to enrich the lives of all people within the county. Its goals are to make informed philanthropy accessible to all, build local nonprofit capacity, and enable community conversations. Since 2018, CCCF has actively supported nonprofit organizations for the betterment of Chaffee County and the local communities. To learn more, visit www.chaffeecommunity.org.
