Lake Fork Community Foundation Grants

The Lake Fork Community Foundation supports the citizens of Hinsdale County through grants focused on educational assistance, care for the needy, and community beautification. Eligible applicants must be IRS-recognized tax-exempt entities, ensuring funds reach those who can best serve the community's needs. Grants prioritize innovative projects that leverage additional resources and promote local engagement.

Applications must be received by the 25th of the last month of a quarter.
Background
Established in 1994, the Lake Fork Community Foundation promotes and supports the citizens of that portion of Hinsdale County located along the valley of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The foundation is a Colorado Nonprofit Corporation, qualified as a Private Foundation, 501(c)(3) by the IRS. Donations are fully tax-deductible.
The foundation’s purposes include:
Youth support including educational assistance and recreational facilitiesAssistance to public, educational, medical or benevolent institutions and the public schoolsPromoting scientific research for the advancement of human knowledge and the alleviation of human suffering or the suffering of animalsCare of the sick, aged and helplessCare of needy men, women and childrenBeautification of the areaCare and protection of animals
Funding Priorities:

• Grants are awarded only to groups or organizations whose activities would/do qualify them for IRS tax exempt status.
• Reach as many people as possible in the County.
• Build on strengths and assets of people in the community and engage them in problem solving.
• Seek challenge of matching grants.
• Attract volunteer resources and support.
• Strengthen the private, non-profit sector.
• Encourage collaboration with other organizations.
• Build the capacity of the applying organization.
• Require seed money for innovative projects.
• Leverage additional public and private resources, both financial and volunteer.

Eligibility

Organizations qualify for contributions from the Lake Fork Community Foundation, either by receiving grants or as a conduit to transfer donations, if they submit evidence of one of the following using their IRS letter recognizing it as tax-exempt or by their most recent 990 filing.A 501(c) nonprofit tax-exempt organizationA government agency Churches and Religious OrganizationsRequests must promote and support the citizens of that portion of Hinsdale County located along the valley of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, in Colorado.

Ineligibility

It is a general practice of the Lake Fork Community Foundation to avoid undue dependency on the Foundation and refrains from awarding grants for operating expenses.

IRS tax-exempt organizations serving Hinsdale County residents in the Lake Fork valley; must be an approved partner with a completed Collection Agreement on file with LFCF.