Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund

 
 

VISION

We want Chaffee County LGBTQ+ residents and visitors to be their authentic selves, experience a sense of belonging, and feel safe to express themselves so our whole community can thrive and achieve our greatest potential.

MISSION

The Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund is committed to expanding equity and a sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ community in Chaffee County by providing financial resources to support individual emergent needs, technical assistance, and program services that support affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors.

VALUES 

  • Equity
    Equity is the fair and just treatment of community members. It demands strategic resource allocation, respect, and continuous assessment to achieve specific goals effectively and inclusively.

  • Intersectionality
    Intersectionality acknowledges the interconnected nature of identities, influencing both empowerment and oppression. It highlights the intricate mix of factors shaping individual experiences and the amplification of power dynamics. Understanding intersectionality is vital to addressing historical oppression and recognizing the distinct challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

  • Community Inclusivity
    Community inclusivity creates an environment where all individuals feel welcome, valued, and respected regardless of background or identity. It involves promoting diversity, equity, and belonging by actively engaging and incorporating the voices and perspectives of all community members.

  • Affirmation
    Affirming encompasses not only accepting but also championing individuals' identities, actively supporting and advocating for their rights, dignity, and full inclusion in society. It involves celebrating and empowering diverse identities, promoting visibility, and creating a safe and validating environment for all individuals.

HOW TO GIVE

You can contribute to the Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund to support initiatives that expand equity, community inclusivity, and affirmation for LGBTQ+ individuals in Chaffee County. Your donation will directly support local efforts to expand equity and a sense of belonging for the LGBTQ+ community in Chaffee County.

STEERING COMMITTEE

The Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund Steering Committee comprises community leaders and organizations that can ensure the longevity of the fund’s work.

Shelley Schreiner, Survivor Advocate
Andrea Coen, Community Advocate
John McGowan, Business Advocate
Bianka Martinez, Community Advocate
Andrea Carlstrom, Public Health Advocate
Jimmy Sellars, Fund Advisor
Betsy Dittenber, CCCF Liaison

CONTACT US

For further information, email us at arvlgbtq@chaffeecommunity.org.

2025 GRANT INFORMATION

The Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund is entering its second year with $10,000 in grants, which will be awarded in October 2025. Applicants are encouraged to read the full information provided below to help develop their proposal.


Timeline:

  • Letters of Intent (LOI) accepted June 2nd - July 7th.

  • Full Applications (if invited to apply) accepted August 18th - September 22th

  • Funds expected to be awarded late October. 

What We Support: The fund will prioritize projects falling in the following focus areas. Applicants are encouraged to keep in mind the LGBTQ+ community includes people of all cultures, classes, and abilities.

  • Supportive Space: Promoting a sense of belonging and acceptance for those identifying as LGBTQ+. This could include social, recreational or other supportive services that are designed to specifically be inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community.

  • Inclusive Services: Increasing the inclusivity of existing programs to better serve the LGBTQ+ community. This could include program adjustments, introduction of new programs, staff training etc. that seek to specifically remove barriers for the LGBTQ+ community to access the services.

  • Other: To promote innovation, the committee is open to other ideas that meet the stated values and goals of the fund. Please note that those projects that specifically address Supportive Spaces and Inclusive Services will be prioritized in their grant round.

Eligibility & Requirements:
The 2025 Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund anticipates having $10,000 available with a goal of funding two or more projects impacting the LGBTQ+ community of the Arkansas River Valley regional area. Projects should take place between November 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026.

Applicants that demonstrate the following factors will be most competetive:

  • Clearly defined activities that are meeting an identified community need

  • Measurable outcomes, outputs, and impacts for proposed project

  • Strong commitment to the Arkansas River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund values

Type of Organizations: Applicants may be a 501c3, 501c4, 501c6 (or under the fiscal sponsorship of an eligible organization) in good standing with the IRS and State of Colorado. Government entities and grassroots organizations are encouraged to apply as well. All applicants must be up to date on previous grant reports and be able to commit to CCCF’s non discrimination statement.

How To Apply:

The grant portal for Letters of Intent will be open June 2nd - July 7th. Applicants seeking to apply for funding are encouraged to review the Letter of Intent Questions, the Grant Application Questions, as well as the Scoring Rubric.

Application Process:

Applicants should submit a Letter of Intent via the Grant Portal by July 7th. The Ark River Valley LGBTQ+ Fund Steering Committee will review the letters of intent and select one or more applicants to move forward with with the full application. Applicants moving forward to complete the full application will be paired with a mentor from the steering committee who can assist with the application process open August 18th - September 22nd. Final award decisions will be made by the Steering Committee by late October 2025.

In addition to grant funding, awardees will be offered access to capacity building and professional development services that will assist in completing the project.