December 2022
Our Work in Your Local Communities
Surface Creek Community Fund Celebrates Local Work and WCCF's 25th Anniversary
Residents of the Surface Creek area celebrated Western Colorado Community Foundation's 25th Anniversary and the Surface Creek Community Fund on August 23 at the Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center. Attendees visited with neighbors and colleagues while learning about the Surface Creek Community Fund’s support of local nonprofit organizations. Members of the Surface Creek Community Fund's committee were on hand to share their experiences, including co-chair, Bill Welch (pictured above), who had this to say about the Fund's impact in the region:

"The SCCF has only existed for three grant cycles, but it is already recognized as an important source of financial support by our local nonprofits," Bill said. "We hope we can continue to grow and have an even larger grant making role in the future."

We want to thank those who attended the event and everyone who has supported Western Colorado Community Foundation's work over the past 25 years and its growing work in areas like Surface Creek. We look forward to continuing to increase the impact of the work local organizations are making in Surface Creek.
Grants Distributed in 2022
Thanks to funding partners, the Town of Cedaredge and generous local donors, eight area nonprofits have received a total of $16,500 in grant awards from The Surface Creek Community Fund (SCCF). The SCCF selection committee reviewed a total of eleven applications and awarded grants ranging from $500 to $3,000.

Doris McGuire, one of the founding members of SCCF noted “The competitive grant process demonstrates that funding is needed for many worthwhile projects in our area. The selection committee had a thoughtful and deliberate discussion in selecting awards for the funding we had available. The Surface Creek Steering Committee is working to build this fund to create permanent support for the nonprofits who work to improve the quality of life for our communities.”

The committee awarded funding to the following organizations for 2022:
  • All American Families dba Families Plus
  • Cedaredge Community Gardens Association
  • Delta County Search & Rescue
  • Grand Mesa Arts and Events Center
  • Quilts of Valor Foundation
  • Surface Creek Animal Shelter
  • Surface Creek Community Services (Food Bank)
  • The Nature Connection (Delta County School District 50J)
The Surface Creek Community Fund (SCCF) is a charitable investment account managed by Western Colorado Community Foundation to benefit the people of Austin, Cedaredge, Cory, Eckert and Orchard City. Community-minded donors can make contributions of any size. Funds are used to support local nonprofit organizations and community improvement projects through a competitive grants application process.

Our donors share a connection to the place they live and a commitment to make their community better.
Since its establishment in 2019, the Surface Creek Community Fund has distributed $44,500 in grants to nonprofits in the towns of Austin, Cedaredge, Cory, Eckert, and Orchard City as well as the surrounding area in Delta County.

The amount of grant funding has been going up every year as more local people make gifts to support the community they call home.
Spotlights
The Nature Connection
Community Climbing Night

The Nature Connection (TNC) works to eliminate barriers for kids and families to get outside by providing fun, active, and educational outdoor experiences. In the past, Surface Creek Community Fund (SCCF) has supported scholarships for Surface Creek youth to attend camp. This year, SCCF is helping TNC with funding for Rocks & Ropes: Community Climbing Night at Cedaredge Middle School. A $3,000 grant supports after-school climbing and rope activities for youth, helping kids keep active and improves social emotional heath, and weekly community climbing nights for youth and families, as a way to bond and stay active together.
Huerkamp Estate Gift Builds SCCF's Endowment

A legacy gift was left to the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) by the estate of Austin resident Tom Huerkamp, part-owner of ProSpace+ Interiors, who recently passed away. The gift resulted in a $25,000 donation to the Surface Creek Community Fund.

“Tom was always so generous with his time and energy in making the Surface Creek area a wonderful place to live,” Bill Welch, one of the founders of the Surface Creek Community Fund, said.

You can read more about this story at the Delta County Independent here.
We invite you to give where you live...
As you consider your year-end giving, we hope you will consider giving to your local community fund, promoting local philanthropy and supporting a number of worthy projects benefiting your community. Gifts of any size are appreciated and are tax deductible. 
 
Checks should be payable to the Western Colorado Community Foundation with a note in the memo line of “Surface Creek Community Fund” or “SCCF” Mail to P.O. Box 4334, Grand Junction, CO 81502. 
About Western Colorado Community Foundation...
The Western Colorado Community Foundation is a nonprofit, public charity established by local community leaders in 1996. We serve a seven county region that includes Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Rio Blanco Counties. We are growing steadily and now manage over $118 million in total assets and more than 350 funds.
Interested in supporting our work? 
Please consider a donation today.
Any size gift is appreciated!