Ballantine Family Fund Grant

Ballantine Family Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Ballantine Family Fund
Amount: US $500 - US $5,000
Last Updated: February 14, 2026

Summary

The Ballantine Family Fund, established in 1957, supports nonprofit organizations that enhance life in Southwest Colorado. With a focus on education and community improvement, the fund has played a vital role in promoting local institutions like Fort Lewis College. While primarily serving La Plata and surrounding counties, it occasionally funds projects outside this area. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities. The fund exemplifies a commitment to philanthropy and social responsibility in the region.

Overview

The Ballantines established the Ballantine Family Fund in 1957 to award grants to any nonprofit they felt would enhance life in Southwest Colorado. Through their writing, activism, philanthropy, and dedication to the region, the Ballantines greatly advanced community issues in Southwest Colorado. In 60 years of activity, the Ballantine Family Fund has contributed to charitable and philanthropic purposes in the interest of enhancing the quality of life in Southwest Colorado. The Ballantine Family Fund is headquartered in Durango, CO, where Morley and Arthur Ballantine moved in 1952. After purchasing the weekly Durango News and the daily Durango Herald-Democrat, the couple immediately merged the two to create The Durango Herald-News and then The Durango Herald in 1960. Together, Morley and Arthur received a number of joint awards, including being honored in 1967 by the University of Colorado School of Journalism for Outstanding Journalism. Education was particularly important to Arthur. The couple was instrumental in promoting Fort Lewis College from a rural, two-year college to the four-year institution it is today. They also helped establish the college’s Center of Southwest Studies, which draws scholars from all over the country to study the history of the region. Committed to women’s rights and issues, Morley was a founder of the Women’s Resource Center in Durango and the Women’s Foundation of Colorado.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. All organizations applying to the Ballantine Family Fund must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization; or be a project or organization under the fiscal agency of a 501(c)(3) organization.The Ballantine Family Fund serves the region of Southwest Colorado. While grants have been awarded outside this geographic area under unique circumstances, most funding is confined to supporting those nonprofits in La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma, Archuleta, and San Juan counties.

Ineligibility

The Ballantine Family Fund does not support:Organizations that have not secured their legal 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS or are not under the fiscal agency of a nonprofitOrganizations that do not serve Southwest Colorado (La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma, Archuleta, and San Juan counties)Individuals