The Telluride Foundation announced the results of its 2025 Community Grants cycle, continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting nonprofit organizations that serve the region in San Miguel, Ouray and West Montrose counties, plus Rico. The Community Grants program provides operating and project support to nonprofits delivering essential services that improve quality of life across the region. Food security programs, watershed groups, medical clinics and public health programs, and arts organizations, represent the breadth and diversity of organizations that received grants this December. These organizations, and many more, enrich and sustain the region, and representatives of the Telluride Foundation said they’re proud to support so many community partners.
Building on last year’s unprecedented demand, the foundation saw a record number of requests in the 2025 Community Grants cycle, with 89 regional nonprofits seeking almost $1.8 million in funding.
Nonprofits across the Telluride Foundation’s service area, the state and the nation are experiencing significant state and federal funding cuts, particularly those providing core services such as food security, health care, housing stability and other human services. These reductions have increased pressure on local organizations to meet growing community needs with fewer public resources. In this environment, local philanthropic support is a vital partner in sustaining essential services.
“The funding environment continues to present significant challenges for local nonprofits," said Megan McManemin, chair of the Telluride Foundation’s Grants Committee. “2025 proved to be another challenging year … Over 50% of the nonprofits experienced significant cuts to their federal and state funding, leaving large gaps in their budgets. I am so proud of the committee’s difficult work to fill these gaps with a sharp focus on essential services and critical support for those most in need in our community.”
This year, the foundation’s Grants Committee prioritized organizations delivering essential services, including food access, health and human services, and programs supporting the region’s most vulnerable residents. Of the $1,201,000 awarded to 82 organizations, 38% supported health and human services, with additional investments of 28% in education, including early childhood, 12% in arts and culture, 12% in the environment, and 11% in athletics and outdoor education.
The foundation received a total of 89 applications seeking nearly $1.8 million. Of the total amount awarded, $70,000 supported two capital projects: the Trust for Land Restoration’s project to purchase mining claims on Red Mountain in Ouray County and the Rico Trails Alliance’s project to complete the Rio Grande Southern River Trail. The foundation also continued to increase support for communities where much of the regional workforce lives, including the West End, Norwood, Rico and Ouray County, areas that are often disproportionately affected by funding cuts, despite playing a critical role in the regional economy.
In addition to the $1.2 million in Community Grant awards, the foundation contributed an additional $9 million to the community through its initiatives, scholarships, donor-advised fund grant and other programs this year, bringing the foundation’s total regional impact to $10.2 million in 2025.
Community Grant award recommendations were drafted by a 10-member Grants Committee, all of whom serve on the foundation’s executive board or leadership council and represent communities across the region. This year’s committee included new member Kendra Ballard, a resident of Nucla.
“As a West End resident and member of the Telluride Foundation Board and Grants Committee, I have been encouraged by the foundation’s ongoing commitment to the West End and its understanding of the unique challenges our communities face,” she said. “That commitment was especially evident in this year’s grant-making process and the awards approved for West End organizations. I’m proud of how the foundation and Grants Committee came together to support local nonprofits that play a vital role in enhancing quality of life across our communities.”
The committee evaluated applications using a rigorous set of criteria and forwarded its funding recommendations to the executive board for review and final approval. The Grants Committee is comprised of Megan McManemin (chair), Arnie Chavkin, Kendra Ballard, Kim Fulton, DeeDee Decker, Danny Craft, Liliana Racine, Steve Raymund, Ximena Rebolledo-Leon and Ross Valdez.
Recommendations were reviewed and approved by the board and leadership council at their meeting on Dec. 30. The foundation’s next round of Community Grant applications will be accepted in the fall of 2026, with awards announced at the end of December 2026. Since its inception in 2000, the Telluride Foundation has provided more than $100,000 million in grants and other financial support to the Telluride region. The foundation’s generous donors not only enable its annual Community Grant awards but also support its impact initiatives, including workforce housing, the Telluride Venture Network, food security, Tri-County Health Network, climate and conservation and workforce development.
