Our Community Foundation is launching an education and fundraising campaign to support School District 51’s new policy to ban or limit cell phone use in classrooms across our School District. This policy is a response to increasing concerns over reduction in academic performance and declining mental health related to social media and cell phone use on youth well-being. Studies show that the more kids use social media, the more likely they are to experience anxiety and depression. Cell phones in schools also disrupt student learning, attention, and socialization.
Our Community Foundation is working closely with Superintendent Brian Hill and his administration team to support their efforts by purchasing phone locking or storage devices for classrooms. These lockers and devices will assist classroom teachers in enforcing the new policy; cell phones will be away during classroom time so teachers and students can focus on learning. Teachers can teach and not be policing the use of phones, which will be stored away from student use during classroom learning time.
2023 Give Where You Live
Give Where You Live is a motto of the Community Foundation field and is also the name of the commissioned piece of art by local artist Gayle Gerson, featured on the cover of this report. In 2023, our organization focused on transitioning and preparing for the next phase of growth and long-term sustainability.
![2023 website AR highlights](https://wc-cf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2023-website-AR-highlights.jpg)
CREATING IMPACT
Over $170 Million
in assets
$6.6 Million
distributed annually
330
Charitable Funds
FOR STUDENTS
Our Community Foundation offers 38 different scholarships established by generous donors who believe in the importance of education and the future of the next generation. Local students can apply for college scholarships from scholarship funds at WCCF. Learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process of these scholarships.
Local Community Funds
Since 2002, our Community Foundation has partnered with local steering committees within some of our counties to create Local Community Funds (LCFs). These funds support nonprofits and programs in their areas. This “give where you live” philosophy has resonated for the community members there who value their homes and want to preserve and grow everything that makes their region the place they love to live.
About Us
A community foundation is a place-based charitable institution that serves as an umbrella organization holding multiple funds and providing financial support in the form of grants to nonprofits and scholarships to students. A community foundation is built up over many years, by and for the people who live in a particular community or region, to address needs and support opportunities to improve the quality of life there. Most, but not all funds are permanent endowments, providing financial support in perpetuity for good for the community.
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Regional Foundation Awards $125,000 to 14 Western Slope Nonprofits
Western Colorado Community Foundation awards grants to support Youth Outside and Offline The Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) announced its 2024 Community Grants, awarding $125,000 [...]
Celebrating 17 years giving students “A Chance to Succeed”
The Clough Fellows Scholarship Fund anniversary party was held at the Colorado Mountain College, Rifle Campus. The 17th anniversary celebration of the Clough Fellows Scholarship [...]
More social, less media, in D51 schools
By BRIAN HILL | June 16, 2024 | Daily Sentinel Story HERE Over the past school year, one of our major discussions as a school [...]