<h1>How We Make Grants</h1>
We fund work that meets our grant-making priorities and supports our guiding principles. We are committed to identifying the needs of the community and engaging our residents to work together to enhance the quality of life in South Fork and the surrounding area.

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<strong>Programs considered for support must be located within the Greater South Fork area and directly benefit our residents. Proposals from faith-based organizations will only be considered if:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>The service benefits all, regardless of religion;</li>
 	<li>The service provided is not religious in nature; <em>and </em></li>
 	<li>There is no proselytizing associated with the service.</li>
</ol>
<strong>We only fund the following types of organizations:</strong>

Tax exempt private agencies classified as:
<ul>
 	<li>501 (c)(3)organizations</li>
 	<li>Public charities</li>
 	<li>Government agencies</li>
</ul>

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<strong>The Foundation awards RESPONSIVE and INITIATIVE BASED grants. </strong>

Responsive grants are initiated by a federally tax exempt agency requesting support of a program that falls with the Foundation program areas.

Initiative based grants are funded as the Foundation seeks to identify opportunities for positive change and to address community issues through initiatives and partnerships.

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<strong>We give priority to initiatives that effectively address community needs in the following areas:</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Arts, Culture and Heritage</li>
 	<li>Education and Learning</li>
 	<li>Civic Improvement and Community Development</li>
 	<li>Recreation and Leisure</li>
 	<li>Environment and Conservation</li>
 	<li>Health and Human Services</li>
</ul>

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<strong>We do not support the following:</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>Organizations that do not have an active 501 (c) (3) tax status</li>
 	<li>Individuals</li>
 	<li>Religious organizations</li>
 	<li>Political organizations</li>
 	<li>Operating deficits or debt retirement</li>
 	<li>Health care procedures</li>
 	<li>Annual memberships or affiliations</li>
 	<li>Campaigns, dinners or special events</li>
 	<li>Travel or vehicle purchase</li>
</ul>
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<h1>Grant Recipients</h1>
<h3>2016</h3>
<h3>2015</h3>
<h3>2014</h3>
<h3>2013</h3>
<h3>2012</h3>
<h3>2011</h3>
<h3>2010</h3>
<strong><a href="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SF-Ambulance-2.gif"><img class="alignleft wp-image-195 size-medium" src="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SF-Ambulance-2-300x225.gif" alt="sf-ambulance-2" width="300" height="225" /></a>South Fork Ambulance Service</strong>

The South Fork Ambulance Service received a grant in 2010 to assist with tuition payments for three basic-level Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to achieve their intermediate-level EMT certification. The Service makes over 100 calls a year, providing emergency medical care to South Fork and the surrounding community. The Foundation has established a designated fund for future training and other needs of the Ambulance Service. You may add to this fund by simply designating the SFAS on your check.

In the winter of 2010, Jonathan Gilbert, the EMS Director for the South Fork Ambulance Service, requested a grant for $3476 to purchase 11 EMS uniform coats for the emergency crews. The coats are bloodborne pathogen resistant and have reflective striping for safety on the roadways. The coats identify our emergency personnel, provide uniformity and professionalism, as well as warmth and protection in inclement weather.

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<strong><a href="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Carngie-library-w-label-2.gif"><img class="alignleft wp-image-197 size-medium" src="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Carngie-library-w-label-2-300x200.gif" alt="carngie-library-w-label-2" width="300" height="200" /></a>Carnegie Library</strong>

The South Fork Branch of Carnegie Library has been a project that the Foundation has continually supported. In our early years, the Foundation contributed $50,000 to help build the library in South Fork.

In recent years, funds generated by the Home Tours have been used to provide the landscaping around the building.

In 2010, Carnegie Library received a $5000 grant to assist in the purchase of a two KW photo voltaic solar panel grid to augment the electrical system and ten thermal solar panels to enhance the heating system.

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<strong><a href="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Animal-Shelter-w-Label_resized_640x480.gif"><img class="alignleft wp-image-175 size-medium" src="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Animal-Shelter-w-Label_resized_640x480-300x237.gif" alt="animal-shelter-w-label_resized_640x480" width="300" height="237" /></a>Upper Rio Grande Animal Shelter</strong>

Several grants have been awarded to the Upper Rio Grande Animal Society dba Conour Animal Shelter to assist with their dog rescue programs. Conour Animal Shelter is a no-kill shelter serving Monte Vista, South Fork, Center, Saguache, and Saguache County. The funds designated for the shelter assisted with general operating needs, dog food, vaccines, and the spay and neuter programs. The shelter is located at 2825 Sherman Avenue in Monte Vista and provides a much needed service for the San Luis Valley.

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<strong><a href="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_3194-2.gif"><img class="alignleft wp-image-198 size-medium" src="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_3194-2-300x225.gif" alt="img_3194-2" width="300" height="225" /></a>South Fork Music Association</strong>

GSFCF has been a supporter of The South Fork Music Association since 2006. In addition to supporting the annual Rhythms on the Rio Music Festival held every August, the foundation has provided the funding to purchase musical instruments for the South Fork Music Association's music education program.

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<strong>Upper Rio Grande Health Clinic</strong>

$3359 of funds generated by the Home Tours in 2010 were granted to the Upper Rio Grande Health Clinic Board to provide xeriscaping around the clinic and to provide improved signage for the clinic on Highway 160.

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<h3>2009</h3>
<strong>Beav<img class="alignleft wp-image-194 size-medium" src="http://petoweb.com/gsfcf/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/BC-New-2-300x211.gif" alt="bc-new-2" width="300" height="211" />er Creek Youth Camp</strong>
In 2009 a grant was awarded to the Beaver Creek Youth Camp, on the outskirts of South Fork, to assist with the completion of their new all-season lodge. Beaver Creek is dedicated to promoting Christian Education, recreation, and social welfare of youth and adults regardless of race or disability and is open to all denominations. Their new lodge enables them to be open year-round and provides a meeting room, catering kitchen and four dorm-style rooms that will sleep a total of 40 people.

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<h3>2008</h3>
<strong>The Windsor Hotel</strong>

In 2008, a grant was made to the Windsor Hotel in Del Norte to assist in the finish work in the lobby and the two restaurant dining rooms. The Windsor Hotel was constructed in 1874, but closed in the 1980s. It had been the anchor business in the downtown area of Del Norte but while boarded up went almost to collapse. A local 501(c)(3) was formed in the 1990s to save the historic building and once again make it the anchor of the town. With help from the State Historic Fund and almost $1,000,000 raised and donated locally, the structure has been repaired, the roof replaced, the exterior and interior restored , and new heat, plumbing, and electrical installed.

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<strong>Fast ForWord Reading Program</strong>

In 2008, the Del Norte School System received a grant to purchase the "Fast ForWord Reading Program," an educational brain fitness software designed to help struggling readers improve brain fitness and strengthen brain processing. This scientific learning technology is backed by over 200 research studies showing that students can make reading gains of 1 to 2 grade levels in 8 to 12 weeks.

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<strong>Creede Arts Council</strong>

For the past seven years, the Creede Arts Council has sponsored The Silver Thread Studio Tour, a self-guided driving tour to the studios of local artists between South Fork and Lake City.
In 2008, GSFCF provided a grant to CAC to help support this worthwhile event. The beautiful mountain scenery of our area attracts many fine artists, and each year the Silver Thread Studio Tour gives those artist opportunities to display their works while providing the public with unique opportunities to meet the artists in their own studios, discuss techniques, and purchase fine art.

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<h1>How to Apply for a Grant</h1>
Info to come...