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Western Colorado Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$8.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
1mo
Success Rate
29%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8.3 million
  • Success Rate: 29% overall (for Community Grants program - from initial screening to award)
  • Decision Time: 4-6 weeks (within the month following quarterly submission)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $25,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Seven counties in Western Colorado (Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Blanco)

Contact Details

Website: https://wc-cf.org
Phone: 970-243-3767
Email: info@wc-cf.org
Address: PO Box 4334, Grand Junction, CO 81502
Physical Location: 128 N. 5th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Office Hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday

Key Staff Contacts:

  • Sarah Fuller - Program Officer
  • Vickery Hall - Regional Outreach Director

Overview

Founded in 1996 by local community leaders, the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) has grown to manage over 330 charitable funds with nearly $187 million in total assets. The foundation distributes approximately $8.3 million annually in grants and scholarships to nonprofits and students throughout a seven-county region in Western Colorado. WCCF is confirmed in compliance with national standards for U.S. community foundations. The foundation's mission centers on promoting charitable giving, building and managing charitable funds for community good, and providing grants, scholarships, and other resources to benefit the residents and communities of Western Colorado. In recent years, WCCF has emphasized a collaborative, adaptive approach with trust in local leadership, exemplified by their 2025 "Meet the Moment" theme focused on supporting organizations impacted by federal funding changes.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants (Approximately $100,000 annually)

  • Each year WCCF selects a theme for Community Grants
  • 2025 theme focused on organizations impacted by federal level changes, particularly those serving vulnerable populations
  • Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000+
  • Rolling review process (2025 cycle: May 5 - October 3)
  • 2025 distributed over $500,000 through Community Grants and responsive funding

Request for Funding (RFF) (Under $25,000)

  • For general operating support, project support, or smaller capital requests
  • Reviewed quarterly by WCCF Grants and Program Team
  • Not a formal competitive application; used to match nonprofit needs with donor interests
  • Submissions accepted year-round through online grants management system
  • Organizations notified within the month following the quarter in which request is submitted

Capital Campaign Funding ($25,000+)

  • Separate application for capital funding requests over $25,000
  • Reviewed by WCCF Grants and Program Team
  • Available through online grants management system

Local Community Funds

  • Delta Community Fund (DCF)
  • Ouray County Community Fund (OCCF)
  • San Juan County Community Fund (SJCCF)
  • Surface Creek Community Fund (SCCF)
  • T.R.U.E. Grants Fund
  • West Elk Community Fund (WECF)

Other Managed Funds (Various amounts)

  • Bray Cares Foundation
  • Brownson Memorial Fund
  • Community Grants for the Environment
  • Mesa County Small Grants Fund
  • Western Colorado Health Fund
  • Multiple additional donor-advised and donor-directed funds

Priority Areas

WCCF supports a broad range of causes across Western Colorado, including:

  • Health and human services
  • Housing and community development
  • Substance abuse services
  • Environmental conservation and renewable energy initiatives
  • Education
  • Arts and culture
  • Animal welfare
  • Religious organizations
  • Youth development programs

Recent grant examples include environmental initiatives such as citizen ozone monitoring devices, renewable energy projects, wetlands education, composting programs, and youth development through aquaponics and recycling projects. The 2025 Community Grants supported tangible projects including technology upgrades, merger exploration costs, and pilot programs designed to bring in new revenue lines.

What They Don't Fund

  • Grants to individuals (except through scholarship programs)
  • Organizations without current IRS Tax Exempt status
  • Organizations located outside their seven-county service region

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

WCCF is governed by a 15-member volunteer board of directors. Current leadership includes:

  • Dan Prinster - Chair Emeritus (Grand Junction)
  • Terri Chinn - Chair (Grand Junction)
  • Gena Cooper - Vice Chair (Grand Junction)
  • Tom Parrish - Secretary (Grand Junction)
  • David Lane - Treasurer (Delta)

Staff Team

  • Sarah Fuller - Program Officer
  • Vickery Hall - Regional Outreach Director

The foundation maintains a focus on developing as a diverse and equitable organization with strong staff and clear accountability structures.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For RFF (Under $25,000):

  1. Register your organization on WCCF's online grants management system at wc-cf.org
  2. Submit a Request for Funding (RFF) with a brief summary of needs for general support, project-based, or capital campaigns
  3. RFF submissions are reviewed quarterly by the WCCF Grants and Program Team
  4. Organizations are notified within the month following the quarter in which the request is submitted

For Capital Campaigns ($25,000+):

  1. Register on WCCF's online grants management system
  2. Complete the Capital Campaign Request for Funding
  3. Submit through the online portal
  4. Review process follows similar quarterly timeline

For Community Grants:

  1. Monitor WCCF website for annual Community Grants announcement (typically opens in spring)
  2. Apply through online portal during the open application period
  3. 2025 process included screening calls followed by full application invitations
  4. Review conducted on rolling basis during application window

For Specific Managed Funds: Many funds accept online applications directly through WCCF's grants management system. Organizations should register online to view and access available grant opportunities across WCCF's portfolio.

Decision Timeline

  • RFF Applications: Reviewed quarterly; organizations notified within the month following the quarter of submission (approximately 4-6 weeks)
  • Community Grants: 2025 process extended to five months (May-October) with rolling review
  • General Timeline: The foundation has moved from a one-month to a five-month grant-making process to better meet nonprofit needs

Success Rates

Community Grants Program (specific data available):

  • More than 100 organizations screened
  • 41 invited to screening calls
  • 19 invited to submit full applications (46% conversion from screening)
  • 12 received Community Grant awards totaling $200,000+ (63% conversion from application; 29% overall)
  • An additional 32 organizations that didn't move forward in Community Grants received approximately $300,000 from other WCCF funds

Overall Grant Activity:

  • 166 awards made in 2024
  • 142 awards made in 2023
  • Steady growth in number of awards annually

Reapplication Policy

Information about specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Given the quarterly RFF review process and the nature of WCCF's approach (matching needs with donor interests rather than competitive applications), organizations may submit new RFFs as needs and circumstances change. For specific guidance on reapplication, contact the Program Officer or grants team directly.

Application Success Factors

Based on WCCF's documented approach and recent grant-making patterns:

Understand WCCF's Unique Model: WCCF primarily operates through donor-directed funds. The RFF process is "not a formal application and there is no guarantee of funding." Instead, it's a matching tool that allows staff to "discover possible matches between nonprofit needs and donor interests." Success depends less on competitive merit and more on alignment with active donor interests at the time of submission.

Register and Stay Engaged: WCCF "recommends that nonprofits register on its online grant system to access available grant opportunities." Being in the system ensures organizations can view and respond to opportunities as they arise across WCCF's 330+ charitable funds.

Geographic Alignment is Essential: All supported organizations must serve within the seven-county region (Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Blanco). This is a firm requirement.

Focus on Tangible, Specific Projects: The 2025 Community Grants theme emphasized "tangible projects and actions" such as technology upgrades, merger exploration costs, and pilot programs. WCCF notes "while WCCF cannot fill large funding gaps, they can support their non-profit community with funding for tangible projects and actions allowing them to be better fortified for the road ahead."

Align with Annual Community Grants Themes: Each year WCCF selects a specific theme for Community Grants. The 2025 theme supported "organizations acutely impacted by changes at the federal level, particularly those organizations serving vulnerable populations." Understanding and aligning with the annual theme significantly improves Community Grants success.

Consider Multiple Funding Pathways: If not successful in Community Grants, organizations may still receive funding from other WCCF-managed funds. In 2025, 32 organizations that didn't advance in Community Grants received approximately $300,000 from other funds, demonstrating WCCF's commitment to connecting nonprofits with appropriate funding sources across their portfolio.

Build Relationships with Staff: With program officers reviewing submissions quarterly and looking for donor matches, building relationships with Sarah Fuller (Program Officer) and Vickery Hall (Regional Outreach Director) can help ensure your organization's needs are well-understood when matching opportunities arise.

Submit at Optimal Times: The quarterly RFF review process means timing matters. Organizations should consider submitting early in a quarter to ensure review in that cycle, with notification coming within the month following the quarter.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Model Matters: WCCF operates primarily through donor-directed funds, not competitive grantmaking. The RFF is a matching tool, not a formal application. Success depends on alignment with active donor interests rather than application quality alone.

  • Multiple Pathways to Funding: With 330+ charitable funds, organizations have multiple potential funding sources beyond the annual Community Grants. Register in the online system and explore all available opportunities.

  • Geographic Focus Non-Negotiable: Must serve one or more of the seven counties (Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Blanco). No exceptions.

  • Theme Alignment for Community Grants: Annual Community Grants follow specific themes. Research and align proposals with the stated theme for best results (29% overall success rate from screening to award).

  • Quarterly RFF Cycles: Plan submissions around quarterly review cycles, with notification within the month following submission quarter (approximately 4-6 weeks turnaround).

  • Stay Registered and Responsive: Even unsuccessful Community Grants applicants may receive funding from other WCCF funds. Maintaining an active presence in their system and responding to opportunities increases overall funding likelihood.

  • Reasonable Grant Expectations: Most grants range $1,000-$10,000, with larger amounts available through specific programs. WCCF explicitly states they "cannot fill large funding gaps" but can support specific tangible projects.

References

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