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

2008 September

  • Aspen Diversified Industries; $7,000 to provide scholarships for GED preparation and testing
  • Northern Churches Care; $10,000 in support of its rental assistance program
  • SET Family Medical Clinics; $5,000 for operating funds for its Senior Well Being clinics
  • Springs Rescue Mission; $20,000 for renovations to support housing for men struggling with homelessness/substance abuse
  • Education for a Lifetime; $10,000 in support of their Aspire program in School Districts 2,3 and 8
  • Fountain/Fort Carson District 8; $15,000 to support a staff position within Fountain Community Services
  • Colorado Springs Teen Court; $5,000 for scholarships in support of specialized programs and classes
  • CU Aging Center; $12,500 to support the expansion of its Clinicians in the Community program
  • Peak Education; $15,000 to support a staff position as a result of program expansion
  • Children’s Ark; $5,000 for GED preparation and testing software

2008 March

  • Mission Medical Clinic; $20,000 to support free medical/ dental services for low income patients with chronic disease
  • La Puente Home; $11,000 to support projects to improve safety and sanitation in homes of low income citizens in the San Luis Valley
  • Urban Peak of Colorado Springs; $20,000 in support of its transitional housing program
  • Girl Scouts of Colorado; $7,500 to fund their Outreach in Excellence program for girls in the Pikes Peak region
  • Kidpower of Colorado Springs; $12,000 for workshop scholarships for disadvantaged children and caregivers
  • Gospel Shelters for Women, Liza’s Place; $15,000 for program support of homeless women
  • Colorado Springs Conservatory; $15,000 over two years to fund scholarships for low income students
  • Habitat for Humanity/Teller County; $20,000 over two years for general operating support
  • Cheyenne Village; $30,000 over two years to re-establish its nutrition program
  • Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity; $10,000 to support its family services program
  • Westside Cares; $10,000 in support of general programs to serve people in need
  • Pikes Peak Council Boy Scouts of America; $10,000 to support its Scoutreach program for low income, at-risk youth

2007 September

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, Pikes Peak; $10,000 to support its school based mentoring program
  • Centro de la Familia; $10,000 to support direct services to Spanish speaking immigrant populations experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse
  • Franciscan Community Counseling; $15,000 to supplement fees for mental health counseling to low income families with young children
  • Bethhaven; $5,000 to help pay for physical plant upgrades to one of its group homes for the mentally ill
  • Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care; $10,000 to help pay for non reimbursed patient and family care services for those with low incomes
  • Colorado Veterans Resource Coalition; $6,000 to assist with roof replacement on Crawford House, their transitional housing program for homeless veterans
  • Special Kids Special Families; $10,000 to provide scholarships for low income families with disabled children in need of respite services
  • Salvation Army; $10,000 to support their Red Shield after school program for at-risk children
  • Community Partnership for Child Development; $5,000 to expand its oral health initiative for children and families served through CPCD.
  • Future Self; $10,000 to support art programs for disenfranchised, at risk and low income youth
  • Catholic Charities; $15,000 in support of its Life Support Center, serving poor infants and children with essential living items
  • Griffith Centers for Children; $15,000 to assist with the purchase of two group homes for transitional housing of at-risk children
  • Child Nursery Centers; $15,000 to assist with the development of a new volunteer program
  • Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs; $10,000 to support the creation of an outdoor garden area for disabled day care clients

2007 March

  • Ecumenical Social Ministries; $20,000 over two years to support its prescription assistance program
  • Parents Challenge; $20,000 to support its parental empowerment training program
  • Court Care for the Pikes Peak Region; $10,000 to support drop-in child care services
  • Assistance League of Colorado Springs; $4,000 to support Operation School Bell
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); $30,000 to support its “Room to Grow” expansion project
  • YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region; $5,000 to support its Foster Child Outreach program
  • Rocky Mountain Community Land Trust; $20,000 for programming support at Colorado House and Resource Center
  • Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment; $8,000 for childcare assistance for low income women attending UCCS

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