COLORADO, October 30, 2024 — The Boettcher Foundation has announced its second cycle of 2024 Rural Catalyst Grant Recipients. This cycle, totaling $95,000, continues to provide capacity-building grants to nonprofit organizations participating in the Foundation’s Rural Leaders Collaborative. These grants support innovative projects designed to address unique challenges in rural Colorado communities.
“Our Rural Catalyst Grants in this cycle truly reflect the innovative and diverse nature of rural Colorado nonprofits,” said Garrett Mayberry, Boettcher’s grants program officer. “We continue to hear positive feedback from recipients that small and timely grants for these kinds of projects are critical for launching innovative work.”
Below is a summary of the organizations and projects awarded in this cycle:
- Housing Colorado: Housing Colorado is launching the Colorado Zoning Atlas project to promote affordable housing in rural communities. This initiative will employ interns to educate stakeholders about the National Zoning Atlas, a tool that provides detailed zoning information to inform housing strategies. (Statewide, $7,500)
- Integrated Community: Integrated Community is dedicated to enhancing access to critical services for immigrants in Northwest Colorado through high-quality translation and interpretation services. They are launching an Interpreter Certification Training program to equip bilingual individuals with skills and credentials. (Routt County, $7,500)
- National Parks Conservation Association: The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is launching a Youth Ambassador Program to support the new Amache National Historical Site. This initiative aims to connect young Amache descendants with Cheyenne and Arapaho youth from the nearby Sand Creek Massacre National Historical Site. (Prowers County, $5,000)
- Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence: The Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence is developing Project Lift, a year-long healthcare leadership development program in Southwest Colorado. This initiative aims to address recruitment and retention gaps by building local leadership skills tailored to the region’s needs. (La Plata County, $5,000)
- Better Tomorrow: Better Tomorrow is an administrative backbone agency supporting four community programs in Routt County. They are seeking to extend their strategic operations planning project with the Colorado Institute for Excellence to refine internal processes and improve communication. (Routt County, $5,000)
- The Cycle Effect: The Cycle Effect (TCE) empowers young women ages 10-18 from Latina, BIPOC, and low-income backgrounds through its transformative Girls Mountain Bike Mentorship Program. TCE seeks funding to implement a new tracking and evaluation platform for its programming. (Eagle County, $5,000)
- Belvidere Foundation: The Belvidere Foundation in Central City is seeking funding to plan the last phase of the revitalization of the historic Belvidere Theatre, including how the facility should be utilized. This project aims to transform the endangered landmark into a vibrant community hub and cultural venue. (Gilpin County, $5,000)
- Montezuma Leadership Network: The Montezuma Leadership Network is expanding its Leadership Montezuma program to offer comprehensive leadership development training in the county. They aim to provide both monthly training sessions and an intensive 6-7 month program. (Montezuma County, $5,000)
- Vail Valley Works: Vail Valley Works is expanding its leadership development programs to better serve Eagle County’s growing Hispanic population by creating Spanish-language versions of its LEAD Eagle series. Funding will support a cultural relevance audit of current programs. (Eagle County, $5,000)
- The ELHI Association: The ELHI Association is seeking funding for a strategic planning process to address the future demolition of their current facility, a former school. This nonprofit tenant association provides affordable space for nonprofits and small businesses offering essential community services. (La Plata County, $5,000)
- Counseling and Education Center: The Counseling & Education Center (CEC) in Mesa County is expanding its affordable mental health services with a second location in Orchard Mesa. To support this growth and increase community awareness, CEC is undertaking a comprehensive brand refresh and outreach initiative. (Mesa County, $5,000)
- Lake County Community Fund: The Lake County Community Fund (LCCF) supports the Leadville and Twin Lakes communities by connecting donors with local organizations. This project focuses on two critical components: a Development Assessment to enhance fundraising strategies and a comprehensive poverty study. (Lake County, $7,500)
- Time Bank of the Rockies: The Time Bank of the Rockies (TBR) is updating its website and volunteer platform to support its community-building efforts in Montrose. TBR facilitates exchanges of time and skills between members and aims to create a bilingual English-Spanish website with improved accessibility features. (Montrose County, $5,000)
- Dream Catcher Therapy Center: Dream Catcher Therapy Center provides equine-assisted psychotherapy to underserved rural communities in Colorado. This project seeks funding for a business consultant to develop strategic plans as they expand their intern program for recruiting more therapists. (Montrose County, $7,500)
- Sangre de Cristo Community Care: Sangre de Cristo Community Care is a nonprofit hospice provider serving southern Colorado. They seek funding to support Hospice and Palliative Nurse Certification for registered nurses in rural communities to enhance care quality. (Pueblo County, $5,000)
- MindSpark Learning: MindSpark Learning focuses on enhancing educational and workforce development opportunities in rural Colorado through innovative programs like the CSU Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Education Accelerator. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by creating workforce development pathways for K-12 students. (Jefferson County, $10,000)
Please subscribe to our newsletter or check our website in January for information on the 2025 Catalyst Grant cycles.
About the Boettcher Foundation:
The Boettcher Foundation believes in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. We invest in people, programs, and organizations across the state to create a foundation for community building and transformational impact.
