2020 - 2021
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY
Lake County Community Fund 2021 - 2022 ANNUAL REPORT
Statement of Solidarity
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Officers Melissa Kendrick President Kendrick Consulting, Inc. Aurora, Colorado Hon. Kayla Marcella Vice President Commissioner, Lake County Government Leadville, Colorado Hon. Jonathan Shamis Treasurer Lake County Judge Leadville, Colorado Kelly Sweeney Secretary President, Friends of Twin Lakes Twin Lakes, Colorado Directors Hal Edwards Chief of Police City of Leadville Leadville, Colorado Becca Katz Community Learning Director Lake County School District Leadville, Colorado Hon. Greg Labbe Mayor of Leadville Leadville, Colorado Daniel O’Brien Head of School High Mountain Institute Leadville, Colorado
Impact
History
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Grant Awards
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06
Fiscal Sponsored Funds
Who We Serve
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11 Unmet Needs Committee
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Message: Board President and Executive Director
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17-20
State of the Community
Community Response
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Vision and Values
Food Insecurity
Board of Directors and Officers
Our Community in Action
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12
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Friends of the Community
Engaging our Community
Gloria Perez Lake County Government Wraparound Supervisor/Care Coordinator Leadville, Colorado Brian Turner Chief Executive Officer and President Solvista Health Leadville, Colorado Nell Wareham Manager, Strategic Development Climax Molybdenum Company Climax, Colorado President Emeritus Kate Bartlett Executive Director of School District Operations Colorado Department of Education Leadville, Colorado
Colorado Gives Day Table of Contents
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Photo Credit: Justin Talbot Moon over Mount Elbert, 14,440 Ft. is the highest mountain in Lake County, highest in Colorado, and highest in the Rockies. t
Message from the Board President and Executive Director
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07 09 Impact by the Numbers
The Lake County Community Fund wishes to express deep appreciation to Justin Talbot, who has donated many of the photos in this Annual Report. Justin has lived in Leadville for 16 years and specializes in capturing the raw beauty of Leadville landscapes and adventure athletes in high-resolution photographs. His photos can be purchased at his shop and gallery "Galena" or on his website, www.40minutesfromleadville.com We also wish to express appreciation to Patrick Billow, the Editor of Leadville's Herald Democrat for donating many of the 'day in the life' of Lake County photos. Cover: Historic Harrison Avenue, Leadville. Photo Credit: Justin Talbot
15 Engaging our Community
Mission The Lake County Community Fund provides a means to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County.
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We Love Lake County Community Dinner
Dear Friends, These past two years have been truly inspiring as we have witnessed countless acts of kindness and generosity. Our county and city governments, local and regional nonprofits, businesses, and many donors came together to help one another during this unprecedented time.
Together with your support, we have made a difference in Lake County. Community foundations exist to address challenging issues, to support valuable nonprofits confronting many critical concerns, and to build an endowment to meet changing needs over time. We are doing all of that thanks to many generous and thoughtful contributions, as well as hours of volunteer work. We are most grateful for the leadership from our Board of Directors. As we grow and mature, we must be prepared for change and transition. Three of our Board members have completed their terms, Becca Katz, Katie Konigsberg, and Danny O'Brien. We thank them for their vision, wisdom, and many contributions to the Lake County Community Fund (LCCF). At the same time, we welcome new Board members Hal Edwards, Gloria Perez, and Brian Turner who bring years of experience in nonprofit management and community service. The Copper Mountain Resort Grant program (page 22), now in the third year, has far exceeded our expectations, raising $545,692. In this 2021 – 2022 Annual Report, you will learn how these funds are making a difference. COVID-19 increased the visibility and urgency of food insecurity. In 2021, we developed an approach by distributing $40 food gift cards to families who struggle to put food on the table while simultaneously assisting locally owned and operated small restaurants (page 15). In establishing this program, we are grateful for the mentorship and support from the Eagle Valley Community Foundation, the Vail Valley Foundation, the Summit Foundation, Parkville Water District, and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. In 2020, the Lake County Community Fund was selected as a Regional Champion for Colorado Gives Day. During the first two years , 650 donors have contributed $130,551 to 17 Lake County nonprofit organizations. This past year, we fiscally sponsored 18 organizations, welcoming 11 new Lake County nonprofits (page 12). The Community Fund provides financial management support and a convenient method for donating to a wide variety of important causes within Leadville and Twin Lakes. As we navigate through this post pandemic period, we wish to express our thanks to the Lake County Government and the City of Leadville for their partnership and funding.
We are most appreciative for the support from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, Climax Molybdenum Company, POWDR, and Copper Mountain Resort. They have set a high standard for their care of our workforce and families, particularly during this challenging time. Thank you to the Eagle Valley Community Foundation, the Denver Foundation, and the El Pomar Foundation for leadership, inspiration, and mentorship, as we chart our course through these uncertain times. Very importantly, we wish to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to our donors for making our work possible.
As we look forward to 2023 and beyond, we have to remind ourselves of our extraordinary history. Since the 1870s, tremendous wealth has been extracted from Lake County. But Leadville—once the second most populous city in Colorado—and Lake County continue to face significant challenges. Our goal is to build an endowment so that we can sustain local programs in perpetuity and break the boom and bust cycle. In order to provide this support long-term, we need your continued support. On behalf of our Board of Directors, we wish to thank our donors, partners, and volunteers who have been so generous and who have made it possible for the Lake County Community Fund to succeed.
John McMurtry Executive Director
Together with your support, we have made a difference in Lake County. Community Foundations exist to address challenging issues, to support valuable nonprofits confronting many critical concerns, and to build an endowment to meet changing needs over time. We are doing all of that thanks to many generous and thoughtful contributions, as well as hours of volunteer work. We are most grateful for the leadership from our Board of Directors. As we grow and mature, we must be prepared for change and transition. Two of our founding Board members, Becca Katz and Danny O’Brien, are leaving Lake County. We thank them for their vision, wisdom, and many contributions in helping to establish the Lake County Community Fund. This past year, we have welcomed new Board members Hal Edwards and Bryan Turner, who bring years of experience in nonprofit management and community service. We are very grateful for the outpouring of support from our institutional friends and many donors. The Copper Mountain Resort Grant program (page_), now in the third year, has far exceeded our expectations, raising a $545,692.Since 2017, the Lake County Community Fund has awarded 92 grants totaling $303,000. In this 2021 – 2022 Annual Report, you will learn how these funds are working. COVID-19 increased the visibility and urgency of food insecurity in Lake County. In 2021, the Lake County Community Fund developed an approach by distributing $40 food gift cards to families who struggle to put food on the table while simultaneously assisting locally owned and operated small restaurants. In 2020, The Lake County Community Fund was selected as the Lake County Regional Champion for Colorado Gives Day, During the first two years as Regional Champion, 650 donors have contributed $130,551, benefitting more than 17 nonprofit organizations. In 2021, the Lake County Community Fund became the fiscal agent for 11 new organizations (page_). We now serve 17 Lake County organizations, providing financial management and a convenient method for donating to a wide variety of important causes within Leadville and Twin Lakes. As we navigate through this post pandemic world, we wish to recognize the Lake County Government and the City of Leadville for their funding during these critical times. We are most appreciative for the community backing from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation, Climax Molybdenum Company, POWDR, Copper Mountain Resort, the Vail Valley Foundation, and the Summit Foundation for setting a high standard for supporting their workforce and families in the communities where they reside. Thank you to the Eagle Valley Community Foundation, the Denver Foundation, and the El Pomar Foundation for leadership, inspiration, and mentorship as we chart our course through these uncertain times. Finally, we wish to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation to our donors for making our work possible. As we look forward to 2023 and beyond, we have to remind ourselves of our extraordinary history. Since the 1870s, tremendous wealth has been extracted from Lake County. But Leadville—once the second most populous city in Colorado—and Lake County continue to face significant challenges.Our goal is to build an endowment so that we can sustain local programs in perpetuity and break the boom and bust cycle. In order to provide this support long-term, we need your continued support. On behalf of our Board of Directors, we wish to thank our donors, partners, and volunteers who have been so generous and who have made it possible for the Lake County Community Fund to succeed.
Respectfully Yours, Melissa Kendrick President of the Board
vision
Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs in and commitment to: Local We value support for local people, businesses, and organizations, and strive to support those entities through our communications, operations, and grant-making. Community We value community input, guidance, and support, all of which are critical as we strive to understand community needs and fund initiatives to address them. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Our community is home to people from a range of backgrounds and beliefs, cultures and traditions, opinions, and experiences. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion because our initiatives are stronger when we draw on the rich perspectives our community offers. Collaboration We value collaboration because positive impacts are greater when we work together to harness our collective strengths. Heritage We value Lake County's rich heritage—our mining history, mountain culture, and our unparalleled landscape—which makes ours an extraordinary community and serves as an inspiration to locals and visitors alike.
We envision a Lake County that has an abundance of sustainable philanthropic resources to support a thriving community.
Values
OUR WORK
OUR history
The Lake County Community Fund (LCCF) was created to provide an additional, steady source of funding for nonprofits in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. Inspiration came when a group of individuals recognized that to accomplish their collective goals, these historic mining towns needed a more sustainable funding approach. The LCCF Steering Committee formed in August 2014 and began exploring options for building a community fund. As part of this process, the committee chose to form an affiliate fund with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation until its own application for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status could be approved. The initial board of directors was seated in February 2016, and the LCCF was formally established as an independent nonprofit in June 2017. A fund by and for the community Today, as board and committee members, we are hard at work setting up the processes that will help us establish a fund for Leadville and Lake County that can support great community efforts in good times and difficult times forever. Currently, our efforts are focused on creating policies to assist in expanding the LCCF and building the LCCF’s endowment fund. Above all else, we intend for LCCF to be a fund built by and for the community. We seek community input and continue our outreach efforts with local stakeholders to support the mission of the LCCF and refine our work based on the community’s guidance.
The Lake County Community Fund (LCCF) envisions a Lake County that has an abundance of sustainable philanthropic resources to support a thriving community. To arrive at that vision, the LCCF provides a means to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County. Donors who want to give to a charity that supports the community can contribute to the fund and know their donation is going to a trusted source. Leadville and Twin Lakes nonprofits or organizations partnered with a Lake County agency can apply for grants through the fund to further their missions. Together, donors and nonprofits will build a long-term source of funding—and a sustainable future—for Lake County.
WHO WE SERVE
The Lake County Community Fund serves all 7,407 community members in Lake County by providing a new source of funds to support local programs, projects and assets and to expand the capacity of Lake County organizations. According to the Colorado Secretary of State, Lake County is home to nineteen registered nonprofits in addition to dozens of agencies and projects, affiliated with local government, schools, and churches. The Community Fund’s aim is not to compete with other community organizations, but instead to create a more efficient way for donors to make a gift, grant, or contribution to a variety of causes in Lake County. Our developing community foundation serving Leadville and Lake County is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Lake County Community Fund's aim is not to compete with other community organizations, but instead to create a more efficient way for donors to make a gift, grant, or contribution to a variety of causes in Lake County.
Photo Courtesy: St. George Episcopal Church
Between 2020 - 2022 You provided $26,400 to outfit the new community Kitchen and the new the mobile food pantry at St. George Episcopal Church.
Since 2017, your donations have provided $303,000 in grant awards to 92 local organizations and agencies.
During the pandemic, you helped Lake County raise $704,000 to provide rent and utility assistance for 721 households representing 2,502 individuals.
During 2020 - 2022 you raised $34,000 to send more than 300 1st-8th graders to Rockies Rock summer camp.
Eight local restaurants reimbursed $72,000 Distributed 1,800 gift food cards ($40 ea.) to help families put food on the table.
Your gifts support literacy, one book per month for every child between 0 and 5 years
YOUR GENEROSITY RAISED SPIRITS AND HOPE IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
Photo Courtesy: Justin Talbot
Anschutz Family Foundation City of Leadville Climax Molybdenum Company Colorado Mountain College Colorado Department of Local Affairs Community Banks of Colorado Community First Foundation Copper Mountain Resort Denver Foundation Eagle Valley Community Foundation El Pomar Foundation Friends of Twin Lakes Freight
Harper Rose Studios High Country Developers Herald Democrat Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Melanzana Lake County Government Lake County Tourism Panel Leadville Chamber of Commerce Parkville Water District POWDR Summit Foundation Vail Valley Foundation
Blue Elements cultivates watershed stewardship and connects communities to the value of their natural resources. Through education, expeditions, and volunteerism, Blue Elements works to uncover the deeper connections between humans and nature via the transformative power of the river. Cloud City Curling Club offers the sport of curling to the Lake County community. Curling is a fun, social sport that emphasizes sportsmanship and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. Get Outdoors Leadville! connects youth and families to the outdoors, to inspire dreams, foster stewardship, build leadership, and strengthen community. Irish Network Colorado honors the memory of more than 1,300 Irish immigrants who came to Colorado in search of a better life, who died here trying to find it, and who deserve not to be forgotten. Mt. Massive Golf Course promotes and preserves the game of golf as a recreational, competitive, and social activity for all persons to enjoy at reasonable cost. Lake County Disaster Relief Fund responds immediately to crisis situations. The Fund distributions are determined by Lake County Office of Emergency Management and Lake County Public Health with consultation from Lake County Human Services. Lake County Open Space Initiative preserves the intrinsic, natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the Upper Arkansas River Watershed. Lake County Public Library builds community, fostering life-long learning, providing equal access to information, and promoting diversity of ideas. Lake County School District challenges students to reach their fullest potential through personal, engaged, and rigorous learning in the classroom and beyond.
Fiscal sponsored funds
Photo Courtesy: Mike Conlin, Lake County Open Space Initiative
The Lake County Community Fund provides a mechanism to capture funds from outside of Leadville. It provides an avenue for people who may want to donate to the community but who are unfamiliar with area charities. In 2021, the Lake County Community Fund added 11 organizations as fiscally sponsored funds, bringing the total to 18 organizations. The Lake County Community Fund provides tax-deductible receipts to donors, accounting services, and a convenient method for donating to a wide variety of important causes within Leadville and Twin Lakes.
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Lake County Search and Rescue provides emergency search, rescue and recovery services for persons lost, missing, or otherwise impaired in the rugged backcountry surrounding Leadville, Colorado. Lake County Volleyball Club provides girls the opportunity to be part of a challenging and rewarding sports program, building lifelong relationships with teammates and learning how to work together to achieve common goals. Leadville Dance Academy provides professional dance education and performance opportunities for all of Lake County in a safe, superior studio environment. Leadville Lions Club serves our local community through various projects and events throughout the year, such as awarding grants and scholarships to school district teachers. Lideres Latinoamericanos Leadville commits to the work of social justice in favor of the immigrants in Lake County by facilitating their integration into a new culture and providing information and resources. Partnership for Lake County Recreation supports the development of diverse recreational opportunities in Lake County and surrounding areas. PB Swims raises funds to develop an indoor public swimming pool that will be built to last, fiscally sustainable, and available to all. Pumpkin Patch provides a fun, healthy fall event for the youngest people in Leadville and Lake County. Funding for Pumpkin Patch supports and promotes high-quality early childhood programming for local pre-school children. Tree of Sharing is a volunteer and donation-based organization. Gifts are purchased with donated funds. These gifts are distributed to families in need during the holiday season.The project’s success is dependent on the generosity of Lake County residents, services, and private organizations.
Photo Courtesy: Get Outdoors Leadville! Rock Summer Camp, an eight week enrichment camp for first through eighth graders. p
The committee screened applicants to determine eligibility for federal or state aid, and if they faced having their power turned off or their rent unpaid. 44 percent of those asking for help who lost jobs or saw their hours slashed worked in Eagle County, while 34 percent worked in Lake County and 22 percent in Summit County.
COVID-19 Changed Everything in 2020 - 2022
.COMMUNITY RESPONSE
March 14, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis shut down the billion dollar Colorado ski industry. Seventy percent of Lake County’s workforce commutes to work outside of Lake County, with many traveling daily over difficult mountain passes to Eagle and Summit counties for resort industry jobs. When the ski resorts shut down in response to the pandemic, thousands of Lake County workers lost jobs and income.
Within hours, the Lake County Community Fund, the Disaster Relief Fund, together with the Lake County government, the City of Leadville and nonprofit agencies, created the Unmet Needs Committee and raised more than $704,000 to provide rent and utility assistance for 721 households representing 2,502 individuals. Local residents donated stimulus checks to this campaign. This effort kept families housed and utilities paid. Of the total Lake County residents who received rent and utility assistance, 66 percent of the households have children under the age of 18, and 67 percent are of the Hispanic/Latinx community.
Photo Courtesy: Get Outdoors Leadville!
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Thank you to many donors and community partners who have supported Lake County and the Unmet Needs Committee.
Between April 1, 2020, and April 9, 2021, no foreclosures were reported in Lake County. The Urban Institute featured Lake County along with three communities nationwide—Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas—in the research article, Eviction Prevention and Diversion Programs, Early Lessons from the Pandemic. The research included a survey of 47 states and an interview with local leader, Stephanie Cole, Executive Director, Full Circle of Lake County, to better understand the design, implementation, and progress to date to elevate lessons and insights for both practice and policy.
Photo Courtesy: St. George Episcopal Church.
Lake County raised $704,000 to provide rent and utility assistance for 721 households representing 2,502 individuals.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
"This program helps the community and helps citizens get away from their problems, and at the same time provides food for families. This is very good for the local businesses and makes everyone happy." -Rogeliáo Sanchez Leadville restaurant owner, Casa Sanchez
.Our COMMUNITY in action
St. George Episcopal Church is the central food distribution point for Lake County and has tremendous experience and history for providing families with meals and support.
COVID-19 radically increased the visibility and urgency of food insecurity in Lake County. The Lake County Community Fund developed an approach that prioritizes individuals who struggle to put food on the table while simultaneously assisting a handful of locally owned and operated small restaurants that have been most adversely affected by COVID-19.
The Colorado Restaurant Association’s recent study estimated that restaurants lost more than $3 billion in 2020. With increased restrictions, the restaurant industry suffered severely over the past year. As a community that cherishes its local entrepreneurs, investing money back into our local businesses was a priority. Funding helped to bridge the gap between up-and-coming government aid and/or the return of normal operations. Restaurant gift cards valued at $40 were distributed food to Lake County residents through the St. George Episcopal Church’s Pantry meal program.
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Photo Courtesy: St. George Episcopal Church The Mobile Food Pantry provides food security by addressing barriers to healthy food access such as transportation, affordability, and nutrition education.
Silver Dollar Saloon Silver Llama Tacos La Mina Tennessee Pass Café Treeline Kitchen
We are very grateful for the Vail Valley Foundation Community Fund grants totaling $60,000, the generosity of the Summit Foundation for their grant of $5,000, and the mentorship from the Eagle Valley Community Foundation. To fully fund the program for Lake County residents, the Parkville Water District and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs awarded a $34,387 grant. In addition, together with the Lake County Public Health agency, we initiated a COVID vaccination incentive program, providing $40 food vouchers to residents receiving a vaccination. Between June 1 and December 31, 1,800 food vouchers were distributed, and eight restaurants were reimbursed $72,000. Participating restaurants:
$101,987 Raised
Casa Blanca Casa Sanchez Golden Burro
Regional Champion: During Colorado Gives Day, December 7, 2021, 391 donors contributed $80,524 to 10 Lake County nonprofit organizations.
Photo Courtesy: National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum
Photo Courtesy: St. Vincent Health
From philanthropists and activists to government leaders and business people, the Lake County Community Fund collaborates with local organizations to facilitate giving opportunities to help solve our community's most critical needs.
State of the Community: Eight government and community agencies made presentations at the March 31st event held at Freight.
Engaging our community
Grants: In 2022, the Lake County Community Fund Board awarded 23 grants totaling $65,000 as part of the Community and Copper Mountain Resort grants program.
We Love Lake County Community Dinner, Saturday, Sept. 25: The Community Dinner provided some great food, prizes and entertainment. More than 30 table sponsors and 250 community members participated.
Community Grant Awards In 2022, the Board awarded $40,000 to 18 Lake County nonprofit organizations as part of the Community Grants and $25,000 to five nonprofits under the Copper Mountain Resort grant program .
Photo Courtesy: Get Outdoors Leadville! Rockies Rock Summer Camp, an eight week enrichment camp for first through eighth graders. Young campers are learning all about the Leadville National Fish Hatchery.
2017 - 2022, more than $303,000 in grants have been AWARDED To LOCAL nonprofit organizations
True to its mission, the Lake County Community Fund provides a means to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County. The Lake County Community Fund supports a variety of projects in Leadville and Twin Lakes: arts, community and economic advancement, environment, education, health, youth development, and more. The grant award process involves a thoughtful and thorough review of the many qualified applications. We undertake a careful assessment of community needs, research existing programs, and identify gaps in services in order to make grants that will provide the most effective support for the Lake County community. We want our grants to provide support for Leadville/Lake County nonprofits’ greatest needs. We also hope that the grants will highlight community buy-in for valuable local endeavors.
"Both of my girls blossomed in the Rockies Rock camp. During the COVID summers, it has been so hard to get social interaction and activities for our kids, and the camp was so important to making their summer a big win!" -Parent
Lake County Community Awards Advocates of Lake County: Awarded $3,000 to cover upkeep and to ensure that it remains operational and able to act as a refuge for victims of violence. Buena Vista Rotary: Awarded $1,200 to fund the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program for children in Lake County. This program provides an age appropriate book to every child ages 0-5, every month until they reach age five in an effort to promote and enable the advantages of early childhood literacy. Full Circle of Lake County: Awarded $1,000 to fund the purchase of kitchen equipment in support of the new building and office renovation. The completed kitchen will provide a facility for youth, family, and immigrant programs to prepare meals.
Photo Courtesy: Lake County Open Space Initiative
2022 Grants awarded
Lake County Community Grant The Lake County Community Grant supports projects that fit within the following areas: ● Arts and Culture ● Community and Economic Development ● Education and Training ● Environmental Initiatives ● Health and Wellness Copper Mountain Resort Grant In 2019, thanks to a $200,000 gift from Copper Mountain Resort and POWDR, a new grant-making program was initiated to fund projects that include the following criteria: ● Outdoor adventure education ● Development of lifetime sports skills ● Environmental causes The objective of this grant is to inspire a healthy adventure lifestyle among Lake County youth, promote lifetime sports, and support environmental causes.
Tabor Opera House renovation. Photo courtesy of the Herald Democrat
Photo Courtesy : Get Outdoors Leadville!
Photo Courtesy: St. George Episcopal Church New kitchen remodel at St. George will function as a hub for Lake County residents to access wholesome, nourishing foods.
2022 grants awarded
St. George’s Episcopal Church: Awarded $9,221 to help outfit the new commercial kitchen with key items such as an electric cooling/steaming table, as well as several small utensils, including pots, pans, and knives. Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation: Awarded $1,195 to fund the celebratory September 2022 end of season open house at the Tabor Opera House in Leadville. This open house will provide free building tours to everyone within the community as well as visitors. Planned Pethood Leadville: Awarded $1,200 to fund affordable access to pet healthcare for all Lake County community members such as free and affordable spay and neuter procedures, as well as funding to vaccinate pets. National Mining Museum and Hall of Fame: Awarded $2,500 to support the creation of a new children’s bilingual (English/Spanish) interactive mining exhibit. Colorado Learning Connections: Awarded $2,000 to fund tutoring for 7th-11th grade students in partnership with the Lake County School District and Project Dream to improve academic performance. This support will help more students graduate from high school. Chaffee Housing Trust: Awarded $1,000 to support the bilingual Promotores Program, which is designed to assist Lake County residents who need counseling on preparing their finances and applying for a mortgage. CASA of the Continental Divide: Awarded $3,735 to provide funding for a Lake County coordinator, and coaching and training for all Lake County Child Advocate Volunteers. CASA's mission is to strengthen families and communities through trauma-informed advocacy, support, and services.
Lake County School District: Awarded $1,195 to purchase versatile and reusable science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) equipment in the form of rocket launchers and Sphero robot balls. The equipment will be used by all Lake County Intermediate Students, grades third through sixth and after-school programs Project Dream (K-6th), the Mobile Learning Center, Get Outdoors Leadville, and school district family learning nights. Lake County Public Library Summer Reading Program: Awarded $1,500 to purchase materials to support specific programming initiatives, craft and project supplies, and a variety of engagement incentives. Solvista Health: Regional Assessment Center Transportation Program: Awarded $1,800 to assist with transporting patients to and from the Regional Assessment Center. Leadville Dance Academy: Awarded $800 to help create a professional, safe, and accessible studio environment with mirrors, barres, sprung dance flooring, and tumbling equipment to best instruct students. Lideres Latino Americanos: Awarded $3,200 to support the traditional holiday community event, Posadas, which is celebrated throughout Latin America. Latino leaders will celebrate this event with the community of Leadville because it is a way to include people from other cultures. Cloud City High School Mural and Mentorship Program: Awarded $1,500 to support students in the planning and production of a large mural at Cloud City High School as part of the School to Work Alliance Program. This is an opportunity to directly engage students in various art-based careers including mural painting, tattooing, scenic painting, theatre, and project management.
2017 - 2020 Grant Awards
Photo Courtesy: Herald Democrat Posadas
2022 Community Grants Cont.
Bright Start Learning Center: Awarded $2,500 to fund operating costs associated with operating an early childhood education center for Lake County children. PB Swims: Awarded $698 to acquire an automated external defibrillator (AED) for the Leadville National Fish Hatchery and for the Water Safety Education station at the 2022 Pathways to Fishing event. The AED will be kept on site at the Fish Hatchery.
Copper Mountain Resort Grant
Cloud City Mountain Sports: Awarded $5,000 to provide scholarships to youth skiers from Lake County with the objective to grow the diversity of programs and teach a new generation of Lake County children to love to be outside in the winter. The funding will provide rental equipment for alpine and nordic skiers, as well as lift passes and tuition.
Photo Courtesy: Get Outdoors Leadville! The Cloud City Farm, Greenhouse and Living Classroom.
Cloud City Conservation Center: Awarded $7,000 to fund the construction of a covered outdoor education space. This new addition will include a second high tunnel and increased storage space at the Cloud City Farm. Get Outdoors Leadville!: Awarded $10,000 to support the Rockies Rock Summer Camp, an eight-week summer enrichment camp for 1st-8th grade youth. The program will teach human-powered outdoor recreation, environmental education, and character development. Mt. Massive Golf Course: Awarded $1,000 to fund the “Golf for a Lifetime Campaign.” The objective is to introduce the sport of golf at no cost to all ages through multiple clinics and individual instruction. The funding will support the acquisition of equipment and professional instruction. Greater Arkansas River Nature Association: Awarded $2,000 to fund the development a Campsite Collector App for camping management of more than 1,000 campsites in Lake County. The Campsite Collector App will serve all public lands in Lake County, focusing on dispersed camping areas because they generate the highest concern about negative impacts to natural resources and user experiences.
Colorado Gives Day
Advocates of Lake County Cloud City Conservation Center Cloud City Wheelers Friends of Twin Lakes, Inc. Full Circle of Lake County, Inc. Get Outdoors Leadville! Irish Network Colorado Lake County Build a Generation Lake County Community Fund Lake County Open Space Initiative Leadville Trail 100 Legacy, Inc. National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum PB Swims St. George Episcopal Church St. Vincent Hospital Foundation Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation, Inc.
December 7th, 2021, 391 donors contributed $80,524 to 16 Lake County nonprofits:
During the first two years as Community Champion, 650 donors have contributed $130,551 to Lake County nonprofit organizations.
In 2020, the Lake County Community Fund was selected by the Community First Foundation to be Regional Champion. The goal is to increase charitable giving in Lake County and strengthen local nonprofits.
“We want to recognize and create awareness about the work of our extraordinary Lake County agencies and their vision for 2022 and beyond,” -Mayor Greg Labbe
Lake County organizations updated the community on 2021 accomplishments and 2022 goals at Freight, The “State of the Community” event was sponsored by the City of Leadville, the Herald Democrat, and the Lake County Community Fund.
Cooperative Nueva Union, a resident-owned community City of Leadville Lake County Community Fund Lake County Government Lake County School District Leadville Sanitation District Parkville Water District, and St. Vincent Health
state of the community
Photo: Karen Onderdonk, St. Vincent Health On Sept 8, 2021, the St. Vincent General Hospital District (SVGHD) hosted the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new St. Vincent Health (SVH) replacement hospital. Pictured Left to Right, front row: Aleta Bezzic, SVGHD Board Chair, Brett Antczak, SVH CEO, Lisa Zwerdlinger, M.D. Back row: Charles Irvin; Julie McCluskie, State Representative; Greg Labbe, Leadville Mayor; Kayla Marcella and Sarah Mudge Lake County Commissioners.
The event provided local organizations with an opportunity to update community members on past and current projects, roadblocks and successes, as well as future plans. Eight organizations made presentations at the “State of the Community:”
March 31, eight of Lake County’s government agencies updated the community on 2021 accomplishments and 2022 goals at local gathering place, Freight, and over zoom.
We Lake COUNTY Community dinner September 25
In addition to good company and delicious food, the evening featured live music by Leadville musician and songwriter Carey Nall and games for kids.
"The We Love Lake County Community Dinner was a time to celebrate this special community and the personal relationships that make us strong," said Leadville Mayor Greg Labbe, who volunteered to coordinate the dinner with the host Lake County Community Fund.
Following a beautiful Fall afternoon, the Community Dinner, sponsored by the Herald Democrat and the Lake County Community Fund, went off even better than planned. The sun shone down brightly on our Lake County as we came together for the first time since the pandemic of 2020 to share friendships, some great food, prizes, and entertainment. More than 30 table sponsors and 250 community members participated in the third annual event.e great food and entertainment.
The Face of Philanthropy January 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022
A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to: Lake County Community Fund P.O. Box 477 Leadville, Colorado 80461 or by calling (719) 286-3396 email director@lakecountycommunityfund.org
impact
Thank you for helping us fulfill our Mission: to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County.
Lake County Community Fund P.O. Box 477 Leadville, CO 80461 director@lakecountycommunityfund.org www.lakecountycommunityfund.org 719-286-3396