Western Colorado is known for its desert vistas, mountain peaks, and mighty rivers. Many people live here because of these incredible landscapes. Our Community Foundation, like many residents of western Colorado, is concerned about the growing recreational demands on outdoor spaces, pressing needs related to clean air and water, and barriers to youth access to the outdoors.

Since 2018, our Community Foundation has created funding opportunities to support a multitude of projects related to the outdoors and environment with the long-term goal of increasing our organizational giving to this sector.

The CORE Fund and Giving Circle

In 2019, a group of founding donors launched the CORE (Conservation/Outdoor Recreation/Environment) Fund. The CORE Fund is our Community Foundation’s first and only Giving Circle, made up of donors interested in supporting and learning more about CORE-related topics. The Fund is specifically designed to support programs and projects that focus on conservation, outdoor recreation, and the environment with high impact for the people and places of western Colorado.

Interested individuals or households commit $5,000 to join the CORE Giving Circle. This contribution ensures an invitation to unique CORE-related field trips and other learning opportunities. Additionally, by joining the CORE Giving Circle, donors annually select projects for funding. Since 2019, the Giving Circle has awarded over $280,000 to over 40 organizations doing important CORE-related work in western Colorado.

Past CORE Field Trips:

• Outdoor Wilderness Lab, School District 51
• Grand Valley Power Plant and conserved property in Palisade, Colorado West Land Trust
• De Beque Roller Dams, Colorado Water Trust
• Gateway History and Geology Tour, Colorado Wildlands Project
• Palisade Insectory

Interested in becoming a CORE Giving Circle member, contact Emily at eorbanek@wc-cf.org