The Town of Crested Butte's Community Grant Program aims to bolster the community by allocating financial and staff resources to nonprofit organizations. This program is designed to support special projects and initiatives that complement municipal services and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. The Town's mission is rooted in the belief that collaborative efforts lead to creative and sustainable solutions for shared community needs and aspirations, aligning with a strategic priority to foster a vibrant and resilient community.
The grant program targets nonprofit organizations operating within the Crested Butte community, with a preference for those in the Upper Valley. The ultimate beneficiaries are the residents of the greater Crested Butte community, who will experience improved quality of life through enhanced programs and projects. The impact goals include supplementing municipal operations and addressing critical community challenges such as the pandemic and housing crisis, which are key priorities for the Town.
High priority is given to investments that directly address the ongoing pandemic and the local housing crisis. Furthermore, the program emphasizes advancing equity, diversity, creativity, and inclusion within the community. Strong proposals should demonstrate alignment with the guiding principles, evidence of community support through local contributions and volunteer engagement, a proven track record of effective outcomes, clear articulation of fund usage within project budgets, sound planning, and well-defined plans for evaluating impact.
Expected outcomes include measurable benefits to the greater Crested Butte community, effective project implementation, and the responsible use of funds. Individual awards are typically capped at $5,000, with overall grant sizes ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. The Town's theory of change posits that by investing in fiscally responsible nonprofits with clear budgets and demonstrable community support, they can effectively address pressing needs and foster a more equitable, diverse, and thriving Crested Butte.
