Community Foundation Invests $5.2M in Local Nonprofits

The Community Foundation invested more than 5.2 million in Southwest Colorado non-profits. The 2025 Confluence Water Seminar is coming up. The Durango Women's Leadership Conference will be held on February 27th at Fort Lewis College, and Friends of the Library hosts a spring book sale. You're watching the "Local NEWS Network," brought to you by Kroegers Ace Hardware, and Happy Pappy's Pizza and Wings. I'm Sadie Smith. The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado invested 5.2 million into the region's non-profit sector in 2024. The Foundation distributed nearly $4 million through projects and grants, while donor-advised funds contributed 1.2 million. The top three sectors that received support were human services, youth, and education. The Foundation grows philanthropic contributions and strengthens a culture of giving to support community needs, serving Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties. To learn more, visit swcommunityfoundation.org. The 2025 Confluence Seminar will be on February 27th at Fort Lewis College. This year's headliner, Jack Pongyesva, is a Fort Lewis alumnus and manager of the Intertribal Centennial Conversations Group with the Grand Canyon Trust. In his role, Pongyesva elevates the voices of the Grand Canyon's 11 associated tribes to strengthen Native presence in the National Park and the region. His talk, "A Journey in Discovering Grand Canyon's Unabated Call," will be hosted by the Four Corners Water Center, the Environmental Center, the Native American Center, the Environmental and Sustainability Department, and the Tribal Water Media Fellowship Program. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged. RSVP on Fort Lewis College's website. Also on February 27th, Fort Lewis College Women's Athletics will host the inaugural Women's Leadership Conference at Whalen Gym. The event, organized by local women to support local women, features TEDx-style talks and panels on mentorship, confidence, and entrepreneurship. A networking session and silent auction will follow from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Proceeds support Fort Lewis College Women's Athletics. General admission to the Women's Leadership Conference is $45, with discounted rates of $35 for seniors and $25 for students. Tickets may be purchased on Fort Lewis College's website. The all-volunteer Friends of Durango Public Library will host a book sale on March 7th and 8th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day. Friends of the Library members get early access to the book sale starting at 9:30 AM. Friends of the Library hosts three book sales every year. Proceeds support literacy in the community through the library's programs and activities. Stop by to find amazing deals on books. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of the "Local NEWS Roundup." I'm Sadie Smith.