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

2010 September

  • Education for a Lifetime; $10,000 to support their Aspire program
  • Northern Churches Care; $19,000 in support of their Rental Assistance Program
  • Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity; $10,000 for their core Home Building and Rehabilitation Program
  • Ecumenical Social Ministries; $19,000 over two years for their Dental and Mental Health Program
  • Gospel Shelters for Women; $15,000 to provide general operating support
  • El Paso Fountain Valley Senior Center; $10,000 to support their Rural Meal Program
  • Girl Scouts of Colorado; $7,500 to support recruitment of troop leaders in low socioeconomic areas
  • Family Life Services; $4,000 to support general operating expenses
  • TESSA; $19,500 for general operating support
  • Karen Possehl Women's Endowment; $10,000 to assist with childcare expenses for moms who have Possehl scholarships
  • Urban Peak Colorado Springs; $19,500 to support general operations of their transitional housing program
  • FutureSelf; $10,000 in support of their 2 day weekend workshops targeted, in part, to at-risk kids

2010 March

  • Fostering Hope Foundation; $5,000 for staff support in their Fostering Hope Program
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado Pikes Peak; $10,000 to support their one-to-one school based mentoring program
  • Tri County Family Care Center; $15,000 to support their Newborn Visitation/Bright Beginnings Program
  • Centro de la Familia; $10,000 to fund direct services and workshops for Spanish speaking and immigrant populations
  • Care and Share Food Bank; $11,000 for the purchase of capital equipment
  • Colorado Springs Children's Chorale; $8,000 in support of their Adopt-a-School Program
  • Project Angel Heart; $5,000 to support their Colorado Springs food program for seniors
  • Mission Medical Clinic; $30,000 over two years in support of adults who are uninsured and canŐt pay for their medical care
  • Pikes Peak Council Boy Scouts of America; $7,500 to fund their Scoutreach Program for low-income, at-risk, and minority children
  • Westside Cares; $15,000 to support their emergency services program for those at risk of homelessness
  • Teller Senior Coalition; $5,000 to support their Respite Caregiver Program

2009 September

  • Partners in Housing; $15,000 to fund general operations of their homeless self-sufficiency program
  • Children's Literacy Center; $5,000 to support their new site at Old Colorado City Library
  • Help the Needy; $10,000 to assist with the renovation of their new facility
  • Assistance League of Colorado Springs; $20,000 in support of their capital campaign for their new building
  • Parents Challenge; $10,000 to support their testing and tutoring of disadvantaged children
  • Community Partnership for Child Development; $7,500 to support their Oral Health Program
  • CASA of the Pikes Peak Region; $10,000 in support of their Dependency and Neglect Program
  • Court Care for the Pikes Peak Region; $10,000 to support their general operations
  • Homeward Pikes Peak; $7,500 to support their Housing First Pikes Peak Program
  • Pikes Peak Community Action Agency; $30,000 over two years in support of their Individual Development Accounts Program
  • Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care; $5,000 to cover expenses that are not reimbursed through insurance sources
  • Safe Passage; $10,000 over two years in support of their Fill the Gap Program which helps low income victims of child abuse
  • Women's Resource Agency; $10,000 over two years to support general operating expenses

2009 January

  • Gazette Empty Stocking Fund; $100,000 in response to the increase in critical basic needs of many in our community

2009 March

  • Greccio Housing; $30,000 over two years in support of their Resident Enrichment Program
  • Urban League Pikes Peak Region; $15,000 in support of their Child Development Center

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