Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund

The Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund, housed within the Chaffee County Community Foundation, is dedicated to promoting equity, inclusivity, and affirmation for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors in Chaffee County, Colorado. The Foundation itself is a well-established community-based organization, committed to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and engaged community through various philanthropic and capacity-building initiatives. The Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund represents one of its key focus areas, created to address the unique needs and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the region. The purpose of this fund is to expand equity and a sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ community by providing financial support for individual emergent needs, technical assistance, and program services that foster affirming spaces. Through this work, the fund aims to create a community where LGBTQ+ individuals can safely express themselves, experience true belonging, and contribute to the broader vibrancy and success of Chaffee County. The fund embraces key values such as equity, intersectionality, community inclusivity, and affirmation, ensuring that all funded projects align with these guiding principles. For the 2025 grant cycle, the Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund is offering $10,000 in total grants, which will be awarded in late September 2025. Projects should be implemented between October 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026. Priority will be given to initiatives that foster supportive spaces and enhance the inclusivity of existing services for LGBTQ+ individuals. Examples include the creation of social or recreational programs specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community, adjustments to existing services to remove barriers for LGBTQ+ participation, and innovative proposals that align with the fund’s stated values and goals. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 501(c)(6) organizations in good standing with the IRS and the State of Colorado, as well as government entities and grassroots organizations. Fiscal sponsorship through an eligible organization is allowed. All applicants must adhere to the Chaffee County Community Foundation’s non-discrimination statement and must be current on any previous grant reporting requirements. Competitive applications will clearly define project activities that address identified community needs, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and show a strong commitment to the fund’s values. Applications will be accepted through an online portal from June 9 to July 11, 2025. The fund’s Steering Committee will review applications and make final award decisions by mid-September. The committee is composed of local leaders and advocates, including Shelley Schreiner, Andrea Coen, John McGowan, Bianka Martinez, Andrea Carlstrom, Jimmy Sellars, and Betsy Dittenber. Awardees will also receive access to capacity-building and professional development opportunities to support successful project implementation. Interested applicants can request mentorship during the application process by contacting the Steering Committee via email at arvlgbtq@chaffeecommunity.org. For further details, prospective applicants are encouraged to review the grant application questions and scoring rubric. Additionally, information about the previous year’s grant recipients can be accessed via the Foundation’s website. For direct inquiries, applicants may contact the Chaffee County Community Foundation at (719) 204-5107 or by mail at PO Box 492, Buena Vista, CO 81211.

Applicants are encouraged to request a mentor from the Steering Committee to assist in developing the project and completing the application.