Telluride Foundation: Coronavirus Response Plan

14 Mar Telluride Foundation: Coronavirus Response Plan

Given the current situation surrounding the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) and its impact on public health, the Telluride Foundation is implementing the following measures, with the health and well-being of staff, donors, grantees, community, and other partners in mind.

Telluride Foundation sign by metal artist Lisa Issenberg

As a community foundation, focusing on a 3 ½-county region, the Telluride Foundation wants to do everything possible to decrease the spread of the pandemic and support the regional communities to the greatest extent possible.  Its policies and decision-making are based on recommendations and guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Telluride Foundation Office and Operations:

Effective Monday, March 16, until at least April 13, the Telluride office and Telluride Works shared office space, will be closed. Staff will be working remotely. The Foundation staff will be working as diligently as ever, and its programs and initiatives will be continuing full force. Meetings will be conducted via telephone and teleconference and the nonprofit will not be hosting events or workshops at least through mid- April.  During this time of uncertainty regarding the economy, events, and closures, the Foundation wants to be available to donors, grantees, regional nonprofits, and community members and organizations.  Staff is available and happy to schedule time to discuss any concerns or uncertainties.

Emergency Funding:

The Telluride Foundation will have emergency grant funding available for human service and health nonprofits facing unprecedented, unexpected situations due to the coronavirus. The Foundation anticipate that healthcare facilities and programs, food banks and programs, homeless shelters, and youth programs may experience increased requests for services and a need for more financial resources. If you think you may qualify for an emergency grant, please contact april@telluridefoundation.org.

During this time, the Foundation is aware many resident families and individualscould have short-term emergency financial needs due to illness, health care costs, lack of work, or having to care for children or family members. To that challenge, the Foundation has operated the “Good Neighbor Fund (GNF),” for 15 years, a one-time emergency hardship funding program available for the workforce in San Miguel, Ouray, and west Montrose counties.

The Foundation expects there could be a ramp-up in demand due to the coronavirus and the corresponding economic impacts, and will try to meet that demand. For more information about the Good Neighbor Fund, contact april@telluridefoundation.org.

The Telluride Foundation will provide regular updates as the situation evolves. Please don’t hesitate to contact anyone in the organization with concerns or questions.