2020 - 2021
BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR OUR EXTRAORDINARY COMMUNITY
2020 - 2021 ANNUAL REPORT
Lake County Community Fund
Statement of Solidarity
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Officers Hon. Greg Labbe President Mayor of Leadville Leadville, Colorado Melissa Kendrick Vice President Kendrick Consulting, Inc. Aurora, Colorado Hon. Jonathan Shamis Treasurer Lake County Judge Leadville, Colorado Kelly Sweeney Secretary President, Friends of Twin Lakes Twin Lakes, Colorado Directors Becca Katz Community Learning Director Lake County School District Leadville, Colorado Katie Konigsberg Ski Patrol Ski Cooper Leadville, Colorado
Impact
History
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Grant Awards
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Fiscal Sponsored Funds
Who We Serve
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11 Unmet Needs Committee
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Message: Board President and Executive Director
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17-20
State of the Community
Community Response
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Vision and Values
Food Insecurity
Board of Directors and Officers
Our Community in Action
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Table of Contents
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Friends of the Community
Mission The Lake County Community Fund provides a means to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County.
Engaging our Community
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Hon. Kayla Marcella Commissioner, Lake County Government Leadville, Colorado Daniel O’Brien Head of School High Mountain Institute Leadville, Colorado Nell Wareham Manager, Strategic Development Climax Molybdenum Company Climax, Colorado President Emeritus Kate Bartlett Executive Director of School District Operations Colorado Department of Education Leadville, Colorado
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Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs in and commitment to: Local We value support for local people, businesses, and organizations, and strive to support those entities through our communications, operations, and grant-making. Community We value community input, guidance, and support, all of which are critical as we strive to understand community needs and fund initiatives to address them. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Our community is home to people from a range of backgrounds and beliefs, cultures and traditions, opinions and experiences. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion because our initiatives are stronger when we draw on the rich perspectives our community offers. Collaboration We value collaboration because positive impacts are greater when we work together to harness our collective strengths. Heritage We value Lake County's rich heritage—our mining history, mountain culture, and our unparalleled landscape—which makes ours an extraordinary community and serves as an inspiration to locals and visitors alike.
John McMurtry Executive Director
Dear Friends, During the past year, we have been inspired by the resilience and caring of our Lake County community. The COVID-19 pandemic brought into focus how much we all depend upon one another to act for the greater common good. The response has been truly special.
vision
We envision a Lake County that has an abundance of sustainable philanthropic resources to support a thriving community.
We are most grateful for the leadership from our Board of Directors, and the outpouring of support from our donors and institutional friends during these difficult months. In this 2020 – 2021 Annual Report, you will read how these funds have been put to work. Seventy percent of Lake County’s workforce commute to Eagle and Summit counties for resort, healthcare, and service industry jobs, sustaining this internationally renowned economic engine. When these industries were shut down March 14, 2020, thousands of our Lake County workers lost jobs and income. Many did not know how they would pay their bills or provide food for their families. Within hours of the stoppage, our Board activated the Disaster Relief Fund, and the Unmet Needs Committee was created. Since April 2020, individual contributions combined with Colorado nonprofit and government support have distributed more than $663,842 for COVID-19 Relief in Lake County. This critical resource has provided rent and utility assistance for 721 households representing 2,502 individuals. Lake County residents stepped up without hesitation making contributions, which in some cases included donating stimulus checks. We are most grateful for support from the Freeport-McMoran Foundation, Climax Molybdenum, Eagle Valley Community Fund, the Vail Valley Foundation, Copper Mountain Resort, POWDR, and the Summit Foundation. Of all the central Rocky Mountain communities in Colorado, Lake County is the most vulnerable, with the greatest number of children and youth facing the most difficult circumstances. Despite these challenges, you will see as you read in this Report that we are making strides. From 2017 to 2021, our Board has awarded more than 69 grants totaling $238,000 to community nonprofit organizations. As we look forward to 2022 and beyond, we have to remind ourselves of our extraordinary history. Since the 1870s, tremendous wealth has been extracted from Lake County. But Leadville—once the second most populous city in Colorado—and Lake County, continue to face significant challenges. Our goal is to build an endowment so that we can sustain local programs in perpetuity and break the boom and bust cycle. In order to provide this support long-term, we need your help. On behalf of our Board of Directors, we wish to thank you and to all who have been so generous and who have made it possible for the Lake County Community Fund to succeed. We look forward to your continued support as we pursue our mission:To expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County. Respectfully yours,
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Values
Greg Labbe Mayor of Leadville Board President
WHO WE SERVE
OUR WORK
The Lake County Community Fund (LCCF) was created to provide an additional, steady source of funding for nonprofits in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. Inspiration came when a group of individuals recognized that to accomplish their collective goals, these historic mining towns needed a more sustainable funding approach. The LCCF Steering Committee formed in August 2014 and began exploring options for building a community fund. As part of this process, the committee chose to form an affiliate fund with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation until its own application for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status could be approved. The initial board of directors were seated in February 2016, and the LCCF was formally established as an independent nonprofit in June 2017. A fund by and for the community Today, as board and committee members, we are hard at work setting up the processes that will help us establish a fund for Leadville and Lake County that can support great community efforts in good times and tough times forever. Currently, our efforts are focused on creating policies to assist in expanding the LCCF and building the LCCF’s endowment fund. Above all else, we intend for LCCF to be a fund built by and for the community. We seek community input and continue our outreach efforts with local stakeholders to support the mission of the LCCF and refine our work based on the community’s guidance.
The Lake County Community Fund serves all 7,764 community members in Lake County by providing a new source of funds to support local programs, projects and assets and to expand the capacity of Lake County organizations. According to the Colorado Secretary of State, Lake County is home to nineteen registered nonprofits in addition to dozens of agencies and projects affiliated with local government, schools, and churches. The Community Fund’s aim is not to compete with other community organizations, but instead to create a more efficient way for donors to make a gift, grant, or contribution to a variety of causes in Lake County. Our developing community foundation serving Leadville and Lake County, is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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OUR history
The Lake County Community Fund (LCCF) envisions a Lake County that has an abundance of sustainable philanthropic resources to support a thriving community. To arrive at that vision, the LCCF provides a means to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County. Donors who want to give to a charity that supports the community can contribute to the fund and know their donation is going to a trusted source. Leadville and Twin Lakes nonprofits or organizations partnered with a Lake County agency can apply for grants through the fund to further their missions. Together, donors and nonprofits will build a long-term source of funding—and a sustainable future—for Lake County.
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Lake County Community Fund's aim is not to compete with other community organizations, but instead to create a more efficient way for donors to make a gift, grant, or contribution to a variety of causes in Lake County.
The Community Fund provides a convenient method for donating to a variety of causes within Leadville and Twin Lakes. The fund also can serve as a fiscal agent for entities that are unable to provide tax-deductible receipts to donors.
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Lake County Disaster Relief Fund helps strengthen our community and respond immediately to crisis situations such as the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Fund distributions are determined by Lake County Office of Emergency Management and Lake County Public Health with consultation from Lake County Human Services. Lake County Open Space Initiative was formed at the invitation of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners and represents a diverse stakeholders’ group with a common interest in community sustainability and preserving the intrinsic, natural, recreational, and cultural resources of the Upper Arkansas River Watershed. Lake County School District challenges students to reach their fullest potential through personal, engaged, and rigorous learning in the classroom and beyond. Lideres Latinoamericanos Leadville is a group of people from different nationalities who have committed to the work of social justice in favor of the immigrants in Lake County. Currently, funds are being raised to support DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) training and applications. Lideres Latinos supports the Spanish-speaking immigrant community in Lake County by facilitating their integration into a new culture and providing information and resources. Leadville Lions Club is a service organization dedicated to serving our local community through various projects and events throughout the year. Community members can purchase Safeway Cards and five percent of the proceeds are donated back to the Lions Club. The Lions Club awards grants and scholarships to school district teachers. Pumpkin Patch provides a fun, healthy fall event for the youngest people in Leadville and Lake County. Funding for Pumpkin Patch supports and promotes high-quality early childhood programming for local pre-school aged children. Tree of Sharing is a volunteer and donation-based organization serving the Leadville/Twin Lakes area. Gifts are purchased with donated funds. These gifts are distributed to families in need during the holiday season.The project’s success is dependent on the generosity of Lake County residents, services, and private organizations
Fiscal sponsored funds
City of Leadville Climax Molybdenum Company Colorado Mountain College Community Banks of Colorado Community First Foundation Copper Mountain Resort District Attorney, 5th Judicial District Eagle Valley Community Foundation El Pomar Foundation High Country Developers John P. Ellbogen Foundation
Freeport-McMoRan Foundation Melanzana Lake County Government Lake County Tourism Panel Leadville Chamber of Commerce Lifetime, Inc. Oak Leaf Energy POWDR Summit Foundation Vail Resorts Vail Valley Foundation
The Lake County Community Fund provides a mechanism to capture funds from outside of Leadville. It provides an avenue for people who may want to donate to the community but who are unfamiliar with area charities. This arrangement also provides an easy, one-stop method for donating to a variety of causes within Leadville and Twin Lakes. The fund also can serve as a fiscal agent for entities that are unable to provide tax-deductible receipts to donors. Lake County Community Fund sponsors seven fiscal funds:
March 14, 2020, Gov. Jared Polis issued an extraordinary executive order requiring all Colorado ski resorts to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hours after the lifts stopped turning, the Lake County Community Fund Board of Directors activated the Disaster Relief Fund and together with the Lake County government, the City of Leadville, and Lake County nonprofit agencies, the Unmet Needs Committee was created.
Seventy percent of Lake County’s workforce commutes to Eagle and Summit counties for resort and service industry jobs. As a result, thousands of Lake County workers lost jobs and income. Many did not know how they would pay their bills such as rent and utilities. The Unmet Needs Committee screened applicants to determine if they were eligible for federal or state aid, and if they faced having their power turned off or their rent unpaid in a county 10,000 feet above sea level, where winter does not loosen its grip. Thank you to the members of the Unmet Needs Committee, heroes for serving on the front lines, and for creating a "No Wrong Door" system for community members as they seek assistance.
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Gloria Perez Colleen Neilsen Cailee Hamm Karla Alder Eudelia Contreras Janeen Magee Christin Logan Stephanie Cole Lisa Sandoval Noah Sosin
$392,502 raised
UNMET NEEDS COMMITTEE
.COMMUNITY RESPONSE
$663,842 distributed by the Unmet Needs Committee, supporting 721 households representing 2,502 individuals.
Thank you to our many donors and community partners who have supported the Disaster Relief Fund.
Families with unmet housing, utilities, or household needs were reviewed once a week by the Unmet Needs Committee, which has representation from Lake County Wraparound, Full Circle of Lake County, Lake County Build a Generation, the Lake County Office of Emergency Management, and the Lake County Public Health Agency. The committee composition is 60 percent Latino, 40 percent Anglo, and three of the members have lived experience as immigrants to Lake County from Mexico. At weekly meetings, the committee reviewed families’ unmet needs and distributed financial resources from the agencies listed above to meet those needs.
During 2020 and 2021, Lake County nonprofit and government agencies worked to create a process by which Lake County community members can request and receive help during the COVID 19 crisis. The goal has been to create a “No Wrong Door” system for community members as they seek assistance.
COVID-19 Changed Everything in 2020
Photo Courtesy: Herald Democrat
Cloud City Conservation Center’s grow dome keeps the growing season going at 10,200 feet while helping families with fresh produce.
Advocates of Lake County City of Leadville Colorado Mountain College Cornerstone Church First Presbyterian Church of Leadville Friends of Twin Lakes Full Circle of Lake County Get Outdoors Leadville Lake County School District Cloud City Conservation Center Lake County Public Health Agency Lake County Public Works Lake County Office of Emergency Management Lake County Build a Generation Lake County Department of Human Services Lake County Wraparound Lake County Community Fund St. George Episcopal Church St. Vincent Hospital
If there is any positive aspect to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been watching Lake County nonprofit organizations, government agencies and so many volunteers come together to take care of each other.
Food security is a critical issue. Currently, the pantry at St. George serves on average 600 individuals a week. From March-December of 2020, the food pantry distributed 13,893 food boxes. The Lake County Community Fund is grateful for the inspiration and financial support from: The Eagle Valley Community Foundation Colorado Department of Local Affairs Parkville Water District St. George Episcopal Church Full Circle of Lake County Lake County Build a Generation The Summit Foundation The Vail Valley Foundation Community Fund Vail Resorts
Thank you for the tremendous outpouring of kindness which has been on display. OUR COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Photo courtesy of Cisco Tharpe, Get Outdoors Leadville
$69,387 raised
COVID-19 radically increased the visibility and urgency of food insecurity in Lake County. The Lake County Community Fund developed an approach that prioritizes individuals who struggle to put food on the table while simultaneously assisting a handful of locally owned and operated small restaurants that have been most adversely affected by COVID-19.
Restaurant gift cards valued at $40 each were distributed to St. George Episcopal Church's Food Pantry patrons. The Gift cards were redeemable at eight locally owned and operated restaurants that have been most adversely affected by COVID-19. St. George Episcopal Church is the central food distribution point for Lake County and has tremendous experience and history for providing families with meals and support.
FOOD INSECURITY
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Photo courtesy of Get Outdoors Leadville
We have an inspiring story to tell that demonstrates how people of all backgrounds and stations in life can trust each other and come together for the common good,” Labbe added. “People lost their jobs when the pandemic rolled through. The county and city governments and our valued nonprofits came together within hours. Our community sprang into action."
“During this challenging year, we want to recognize and create awareness about the work of our extraordinary Lake County nonprofit organizations and their heroic accomplishments,” Mayor Greg Labbe said of this year’s theme.
Lake County Court House front lawn. Photo Courtesy: Sean Summers, Herald Democrat
state of the community
On April 1, ten of Lake County’s nonprofit and educational organizations updated the community over zoom on 2020 accomplishments and 2021 goals.
Mayor Labbe recognized the heroic efforts of the Unmet Needs Committee and presented six members with an award: •Colleen Nielsen, Director, Lake County Public Health Agency •Cailee Hamm, Director, Lake County Office of Emergency Management •Eudelia Contreras, Resilient Coordinator, Lake County Build a Generation •Janeen McGee, Director, Lake County Human Services •Karla Alder, Resource and Advocacy Manager, Full Circle of Lake County •Gloria Perez, Wraparound Supervisor/Care Coordinator, Lake County Human Services
In June 2020, the Board of Directors established the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
A thriving community is not possible while certain members experience racism and discrimination through overt acts or micro-aggressions.
June 21, 2020, a floral arrangement served as a memorial and included pictures of Breonna Taylor, Dominique Fells, and George Floyd, along with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.
Mayor Greg Labbe kicks off the 2020 State of the Community at Freight. This year’s event was held over Zoom. Photo Sean Summers, Herald Democrat
STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY
We are committed to listening, educating ourselves, and having real and difficult conversations about how the Community Fund can most effectively take action to combat racism.
Following the murder of George Floyd, the Board of Directors issued a statement expressing solidarity with all of the members of our community who have experienced racism or discrimination. The status quo is unacceptable.
Rafael Millan-Garcia, Photo Credit Herald Democrat
Regional Champion: During the 24 hours of Colorado and Lake County Gives Day, December 8th, 259 donors contributed $50,027 to eight Lake County nonprofits. This is the first year that the Community Fund was the regional champion for Colorado Gives Day.
From philanthropists and activists to government leaders and business people, the Lake County Community Fund collaborates with local organizations to facilitate giving opportunities to help solve our community's most critical needs.
Health Care: Health care costs across the nation, especially in rural and undeserved areas, continue to rise. In 2019, through grants from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and the City of Leadville, the Lake County Community Fund enlisted Peak Health Alliance, a nonprofit health insurance purchasing collaborative, to study health care costs in Lake County and develop affordable health insurance plans for residents. In January 2021, Peak introduced an affordable option for Lake County residents, which reduced health insurance premiums by 37 percent over previous plans. As of June 1, 190 Lake County residents had enrolled.
Community Grant Awards In 2021, the Board awarded $31,690 to 13 Lake County nonprofit organizations as part of the Community Grants and $25,000 to six nonprofits under the Copper Mountain Resort grant program (Please see following pages).
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Rockies Rock Summer Camp, an eight week enrichment camp for first through eighth graders. Photo Courtesy Vanessa Saldivar, Get Outdoors Leadville
2017 - 2021, more than $238,000 in grants have been AWARDED To LOCAL nonprofit organizations
True to the mission, the Lake County Community Fund provides a means to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County. The Lake County Community Fund supports a variety of projects in Leadville and Twin Lakes: arts, community and economic advancement, environment, education, health, youth development, and more. The grant award process involves a thoughtful and thorough review of the many qualified applications. We undertake a careful assessment of community needs, research existing programs, and identify gaps in services in order to make grants that will provide the most effective support for the Lake County community. We want our grants to provide support for Leadville/Lake County nonprofits’ greatest needs. We also hope that the grants will highlight community buy-in for valuable local endeavors.
Engaging our community
Grants: In 2020 and 2021, the Lake County Community Fund Board awarded $63,000 to 22 Lake County nonprofit organizations as part of the Community Grants program and $50,000 to 10 nonprofits under the Copper Mountain Resort grant program.
2021 Grants awarded
2021 grants awarded
Lake County Community Awards Advocates of Lake County: Awarded $3,000 to cover the upkeep and utilities to ensure that the Safe House remains operational and able to act as a refuge for victims of violence. Buena Vista Rotary: Awarded $500 to purchase 15 infant/child car seats in partnership with the Leadville Lake County Fire Rescue. Full Circle of Lake County: Awarded $6,250 to fund a family resource support specialist. This represents a deepening and broadening of the work begun within Lake County’s Unmet Needs Committee, building on and beyond direct emergency relief to build stronger families in a post-pandemic world. St. George Episcopal Church: Awarded $8,000 to fund the development of the Mobile Food Pantry. The Mobile Food Pantry will increase food security by addressing barriers to healthy food access such as transportation, affordability, and nutrition education. .
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Lake County Community Grant The Lake County Community Grant supports projects that fit within the following areas: ● Arts and Culture ● Community and Economic Development ● Education and Training ● Environmental Initiatives ● Health and Wellness Copper Mountain Resort Grant In 2020, thanks to a $200,000 gift from Copper Mountain Resort and POWDR, a new grant-making program was initiated to fund projects which include the following criteria: ● Outdoor adventure education ● Development of lifetime sports skills and ● Environmental causes The objective of this grant is to inspire a healthy adventure lifestyle among Lake County youth, promote lifetime sports, and support environmental causes. Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation: Awarded $1,500 to fund the Tabor Youth Collective summer arts program. A collaboration of the Tabor Opera House Preservation Foundation and local/national artists, the program provides world-class summer arts education opportunities for the young people of Lake County. Lake County Build a Generation: Awarded $1,000 to support the Health and Happiness Project, which is bringing the Lake County community together to work on three critical, community-identified issues related to community health: affordable housing, quality child care for children under five years of age, and a living wage. Planned Pethood Leadville: Awarded $1,500 to support the purchase of training materials and medical supplies for disease prevention and treatment of adoptable animals, including sponsoring at least one combined clinic for spay/neuter/vaccination of community pets. National Mining Museum and Hall of Fame: Awarded $500 to commission Twin Lakes artist Lexie McMillen to paint an 8-foot high by 16-foot wide mural focused on Lake County's mining heritage and mining's future. Colorado Learning Connections: Awarded $1,500 to Colorado Learning Connections which partners with Project Dream and the Lake County School District. This funding will support tutoring for 7th-11th grade students identified as being at high risk for grade retention. Chaffee Housing Trust: Awarded $1,500 to support the bilingual Promotores Program, which is designed to assist Lake County residents who need counseling on preparing their finances and applying for a mortgage. St. Vincent Health: Awarded $1,000 to support the Cultural Health Navigator Training and Translation Support. The program is focused on eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Lake County’s Hispanic/LatinX population. The goal is to remove barriers and improve health outcomes and quality of care for all people who require or desire medical care in Lake County. CASA of the Continental Divide: Awarded $3,940 to fund coaching, training, and support for all Lake County Child Advocate Volunteers. CASA's mission is to strengthen families and communities through trauma-informed advocacy, support and services. Cloud City High School: Awarded $1,500 to support the development of the Career Readiness “Makerspace” within the Margaret Pitts campus where the Cloud City High School will be relocated in the fall of 2021. The Makerspace will contain various career exploration activities designed to foster identified soft skills, such as group collaboration, group critical thinking, flexibility, self-regulation, and self-management.
Tabor Opera House renovation. Photo courtesy of the Herald Democrat
2021 Community Grants Cont.
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The Face of Philanthropy 2020 - June 30, 2021
Photo courtesy, Erika Schabert, Cloud City Curling Club.
A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to: Lake County Community Fund P.O. Box 477 Leadville, Colorado 80461 or by calling (719) 286-3396
2021 Copper Mountain Resort Awards
2017 - 2020 Grant Awards
impact
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The Center Early Childhood Programs: Awarded $2,000 to fund the learn-to-ski program for twenty pre-school aged children. The learn-to-ski program advances the goals of health and wellness, youth-oriented outdoor adventure education, and teaching lifetime sports skills. Cloud City Conservation Center: Awarded $7,000 to fund the expansion of the community composting program and ensuring that it is accessible to everyone in our community. Get Outdoors Leadville: Awarded $12,000 to support the Rockies Rock Summer Camp, an eight-week summer enrichment camp for first through eight grade youth. The program will teach human-powered outdoor recreation, placed-based environmental education, and character development. Leadville Cross Country Ski Council: Awarded $1,000 to fund clubhouse improvements at the Mt. Massive Clubhouse. The Ski Council will provide free clinics to students and adults teaching them how to ski (both classic and skate skiing) along with fun races and social activities. Cloud City Curling Club: Awarded $2,000 to fund upkeep and maintenance required on the equipment and facilities at the Huck Finn Ice Rink. This includes expanding the area where the ice sheets and retaining wall are built and the installation of lighting and shade structures. Mt. Massive Golf Course: Awarded $1,000 to fund the “Golf for a Lifetime Campaign.” The objective is to introduce the sport of golf at no cost to all ages through multiple clinics and individual instruction. The funding will support the acquisition of equipment and professional instruction.
Thank you to our donors for helping us fulfill our Mission: to expand the capacity of local organizations, promote and facilitate giving opportunities, and inspire investment in Lake County.
Lake County Community Fund P.O. Box 477 Leadville, CO 80461 director@lakecountycommunityfund.org www.lakecountycommunityfund.org 719-286-3396