Grants Program

The primary purpose of the Stratton endowment is to maintain and operate residential facilities and services for the elderly poor of Colorado, primarily those from El Paso County. These programs are located at The Myron Stratton Home.

The secondary purpose of Stratton's philanthropy is to be carried out through The Myron Stratton Home Grants Program. This support is provided through collaborative programs and direct grants that also serve the poor. Recipients are to be the elderly, children and their families.

The Trustees have established current priorities that will be supported, for the most part, through programs in health and nutrition, childcare, early childhood education, housing, education and training. Grants will be restricted to agencies operating in Southern Colorado, with preference for those operating primarily in El Paso and Teller Counties.

It was Stratton's intent that those he helped be treated with dignity and be well cared for, including the opportunity to receive instruction and training to enable them to become self-sustaining and, for the elderly, to live in a caring environment. In a contemporary society in which needs differ greatly from those that Stratton himself envisioned, his words can be interpreted to mean that emergency or short-term assistance is often important. However, helping individuals to become self-sufficient to the greatest extent possible is the most important goal of the Grants program.

Applications are reviewed and grants awarded by The Myron Stratton Home Board of Trustees within the policy guidelines included here. All distributions must meet the definition of a "qualifying distribution" as set forth in Section 4942(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, or applicable provisions of other federal tax laws.

IMPORTANT DATES

Grants are considered only after the organization submits a Letter of Intent and receives approval from the Trustees to proceed with an application.

Letters of Intent must be received by November 1 for the March cycle, and by May 1 for the September cycle. The following information must be outlined in the Letter of Intent:

  • The purpose for which the funds are to be used.
  • The amount to be requested.
  • Expected outcomes and evaluation plans.
  • Nature of the request (a one-time need or a several year obligation).
  • Community need and special aspects of the program.
  • Collaborative efforts with others in the community.
  • A list of current Board members, their occupations and community involvement.
  • A list of key staff members.
  • A copy of the most current IRS letter granting tax exempt status.

You will receive a Grant Application in the mail once your Letter of Intent has been approved. Applications must be received by February 1 for the March cycle, and by August 1 for the September cycle. Grants are awarded in March and September.

There is a one year waiting period after the expenditure of a grant before another Letter of Intent will be considered.

For further information and requirements, a Grants brochure may be obtained by calling the Home at (719) 579-0930.

RECENT GRANTS AWARDED

2006 September

  • Imagination Celebration $10,000 to support educational programs
  • Kids Crossing $10,000 to assist the foster care program
  • Pikes Peak Family Connections $10,000 to support the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program

2006 March

  • Cheyenne Village Inc. $10,000 to purchase a used vehicle for medical runs.
  • Children's Literacy Center $7,500 to serve low income/minority children without educational resources and for site expansion
  • Colorado Springs Teen Court $5,000 fund low-income teens in the Teen Court process
  • University of Colorado (CU Aging Center in Colorado Springs ) $20,000 to support psychological services for home bound seniors
  • Open Bible Medical Clinic $30,000 to support prescription and medical equipment needs
  • Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity $10,000 to support the Family Partnership program
  • Senior Insurance Assistance $20,000 to support Community Outreach-Training program
  • Wagon Wheel Council Girl Scouts $10,000 to support Outreach & Membership program

2005 September

  • Catholic Charities $20,000 to assist families through Life Support & Community Outreach Programs
  • Child Nursery Centers $15,000 to assist in the Early Care & Education programs
  • La Puente Homes $10,000 to support Adelante Self-Sufficiency & Support program
  • Pikes Peak Council Boy Scouts $5,000 to support the Scoutreach program
  • Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care $10,000 to support Patient/Family Care program
  • Suicide Prevention Partnership $10,000 to support direct treatment services
  • Westside Cares $10,000 to support Critical Services for West Side Neighbors program

2005 March

  • Colorado Springs ChildrenŐs Chorale $6,000 to provide scholarships
  • Community Partnership for Child Development $5,000 to assist the Head Start program
  • Colorado Springs Conservatory Foundation $15,000 to provide scholarships for low-income students
  • Greccio Housing $20,000 to support housing operations
  • Northern Churches Care $18,000 to support low-income rental assistance program
  • Pikes Peak Community College Foundation $20,000 to support Affordable Child Care Initiative program
  • Service-Empowerment-Transformation (SET) $15,000 for program support for Senior Wellness program
  • Silver Key Senior Services $20,000 to support operations program
  • Sunny Vista Living Center $20,000 to purchase a transportation vehicle
  • Urban Peak of Colorado Springs $30,000 to support T.H.E. Place program

2004 October

  • Care & Share Food Bank $60,000 to support their capital campaign to acquire a larger warehouse facility
  • Centro de la Familia $20,000 to support the agency's group and individual counseling programs serving very low income non-English speaking populations
  • Partners in Housing, Inc. $20,000 to support Life Skills Education
  • Franciscan Community Counseling $15,000 to provide mental health counseling for low income and uninsured families with school-age children
  • Kidpower $12,300 to support the program's safety training sessions for foster care children and their caretakers
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates $10,000 to support the Dependency and Neglect program
  • Grand Friends $10,000 for ongoing support for the volunteer tutoring program in place at School District 11
  • Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care $10,000 to support specialized end-of-life care for indigent patients
  • Special Kids/Special Families (Zach's Place) $10,000 for support of respite care and childcare for families of developmentally disabled children
  • Westside Cares $10,000 for direct assistance in areas of rent, transportation, food and prescription medicine to west-side residents in critical need
  • Teen Court $5,000 to fund low-income youngsters in the Teen Court process
  • TESSA $5,000 to support the Safehouse program
  • Assistance League of Colorado Springs $3,000 to support Operation School Bell
  • Dress For Success $3,000 to increase staffing and expand client services

2004 April

  • The Salvation Army $8,000 to support the organization's School Needs Program
  • Woman's Resource Center $20,000 to support general operating expenses
  • University of Colorado Foundation/Karen Possehl Women's Endowment $5,000 to support older low-income students at UCCS who need special help with childcare expenses
  • Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs $20,000 to support their Goodwill at Home/Indigent Care Program
  • Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center $10,000 to support the Neuva Ventura program that targets at risk students through art classes