Bad times spur El Pomar to give another $1 million to nonprofits
For the fourth time since 2008, the El Pomar Foundation is distributing $1 million in emergency funds to Colorado social service nonprofits to help them meet increased demand for their services as people continue to struggle in an anemic economy.
More than 140 nonprofits, including 32 in El Paso and Teller counties, will split the money, with the largest grant — $85,000 — going to the Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado. In all, Pikes Peak area organizations will receive $327,500. (See list of recipients below.)
For nonprofit executives, Monday was as good as a holiday and birthday celebration rolled into one as they received the surprise call telling them they were getting a grant from El Pomar’s Colorado Assistance Fund. Carey Adams was breathless as she recounted getting the news that her organization, God’s Pantry Ministry, would receive a $10,000 grant.
“Oh my gosh — it was totally out of the blue,” said Adams, whose nonprofit provides free food and clothing to the needy from its pantries in Fountain and Ellicott. “I wasn’t expecting it and I didn’t ask for it, and those are always the best blessings. Times are hard, and we’re grateful.”
From Adams’ relatively small nonprofit to giants such as Care and Share, demand for assistance with such basics as food and utilities remains strong three years after the start of the recession in late 2007 — something El Pomar trustees discovered when researching needs throughout the state. They heard from representatives of their nine advisory councils, which cover the state’s rural areas, and looked at a survey conducted late last year showing 95 percent of Colorado organizations saw increased demand for their services from the previous year.
“The demand is still up, even though we’ve been talking about signs that the economy is recovering,” said Lynne Telford, who found out about the grant on her first day on the job as the new CEO of Care and Share. “But it hasn’t made its way to our neediest people yet, and the demand is as strong as ever.”
El Pomar Chairman and CEO Bill Hybl noted that the money is to be used to directly help the nonprofits’ clients.
“We monitor the CAF program to make sure they’re not buying automobiles or furniture for the office,” he said. “This all has to go for direct services.” God’s Pantry, for example, will use the money in part to buy food. So will Care and Share, which will then distribute the food to specific areas.
“The grant is very specific about where we should use it,” Telford said.
Since its founding in 1937, El Pomar has made more than 10,000 grants and distributed more than $400 million in Colorado. Most grants are made through an application process, but in 2008, El Pomar’s trustees created the Colorado Assistance Fund to provide a more nimble avenue for distributing emergency aid in the crippled economy.
THE RECIPIENTS
Who got what from El Pomar Foundation’s Colorado Assistance Fund IV distribution:
American Red Cross of the Pikes Peak Region - $5,000
Black Pastors Union of Southern Colorado - 7,500
Care and Share - $85,000
Marian House - $17,500
City of Woodland Park - $5,000
White Bison - $2,500
Ecumenical Social Ministries - $15,000
El Paso County Medical Society Foundation - $5,000
God’s Pantry - $10,000
Help the Needy (Woodland Park) - $5,000
Interfaith Hospitality Network - $5,000
Little Chapel of the Hills (Divide) - $5,000
Mission Medical Clinic - $10,000
Northern Churches Care - $7,500
One Nation Walking Together - $2,500
Open Bible Baptist Church - $10,000
Peak Vista Community Health Centers - $20,000
Pikes Peak Community Action Agency -$10,000
Project Angel Heart - $5,000
Project COPE - $5,000
Rocky Mountain Health Care Services - $5,000
SET Family Medical Clinics - $10,000
Salvation Army - $10,000
Silver Key - $10,000
Springs Rescue Mission - $10,000
St. John’s Baptist Church - $2,500
Teller County Department of Social Services - $10,000
Teller Senior Coalition - $7,500
Tri- Lakes Cares - $5,000
Urban Peak of Colorado Springs - $5,000
Westside Cares - $7,500
Woodland Park Community Cupboard - $7,500
