Chaffee County, Colorado (June 9, 2026) — The City of Salida and the Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) have partnered to launch the SteamPlant Fee Assistance Program, a new initiative designed to help local arts and cultural organizations access the SteamPlant Event Center for performances, exhibits, and public events.
Funded through the Salida Arts & Culture Fund, the program will provide eligible Chaffee County organizations with grants covering up to 30% of SteamPlant facility fees, helping reduce barriers to hosting arts-focused events and increasing access to one of the community’s premier cultural venues. To help launch the initiative, the City of Salida has committed $5,000 in matching funds, matching the first $5,000 donated by community members to the Salida Arts & Culture Fund. The match was met in record time on May 26, 2026. CCCF is excited to open applications on July 6th to begin supporting our local arts organizations.
“The arts play a vital role in bringing people together, enriching community life, and contributing to Salida’s unique identity,” said Anna Hendricks, Director of Programs at Chaffee County Community Foundation. “This partnership creates a sustainable way for the community to support local artists, performers, and cultural organizations while expanding access to the SteamPlant.”
Investing in Salida’s Arts and Culture Community
The Salida Arts & Culture Fund was established to support arts and culture initiatives that strengthen the community. While the fund may support a variety of projects over time, SteamPlant fee assistance is currently its primary focus. Funding priorities are reviewed by the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC), which evaluates community needs and available resources.
As the program administrator, CCCF will oversee the application, review, grantmaking, and reporting process, ensuring a transparent and efficient experience for applicants.
Applications open July 7, 2026, and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be reviewed within approximately 15 business days of submission.
Eligible applicants must be locally based Chaffee County organizations producing public arts-focused events with an annual operating budget of $150,000 or less. Applicants do not need to hold 501(c)(3) status to qualify. Organizations may apply up to two times per calendar year, and applications must be submitted at least three months prior to the event date.
Events funded through the program must take place on or before September 30, 2027. Donations to the Salida Arts & Culture Fund are still being accepted and will help sustain and grow fee assistance opportunities for local arts organizations in the years ahead.
Organizations interested in applying or community members interested in supporting the fund can learn more at www.chaffeecommunity.org/salidaarts. Every contribution to the fund collected in 2026 will contribute to a thriving arts community and provide direct assistance for local performance organizations on using the SteamPlant.
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.
