Onward a Legacy Foundation

In filing year 2024, Onward! reported 10 grants totaling $352,992. The grants ranged from $5,500 to $158,589, with a median of $11,824. The largest listed awards were $158,589 for “Grants 5000 and under” in Cortez, for general operations and projects; $91,029 to Good Samaritan Center for food bank operations; and $32,500 to Bridge Emergency Shelter for emergency shelter support. Other listed recipients included Peacefull Tomorrows ($20,000), Fundamental Needs Inc ($13,649), Cortez Animal Shelter ($10,000), Montezuma Heritage Museum ($9,300), Durango School District 9-R ($6,500), Four Corners Writers ($5,925), and Montezuma Land Conservancy ($5,500).

The foundation’s website describes an annual enhancement-grant cycle offering short-term, maximum one-year awards of $500 to $5,000. It says four grant fund partners participate in the cycle. Its listed 2024 winners included 34 nonprofit organizations, including Battle Rock Charter School, Community Connections, The Bridge Emergency Shelter, and The Salvation Army.

Applicants must be a project or organization located in and serving Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, Archuleta, or San Juan County, Colorado, and must have 501(c)(3) status or qualify through another form of tax-free status, such as a government, educational, religious, or parent-organization arrangement. Applicants need an accountable governance structure, defined goals and measurable objectives, and a method for evaluating success. Requests are limited to $5,000 or less and must be spent within one year. The FAQ says only one application per organization or effort is considered each year, incomplete applications will not be considered, and a final report for a prior award must be received before applying again. Capital projects are generally excluded, although smaller equipment that can be purchased and used within the grant year may qualify.