April 17, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
El Pomar and NextFifty Initiative Award COVID-19 Assistance Grants
Two Colorado foundations are providing much needed financial assistance through grants totaling $14,500 to Lake City healthcare organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NextFifty Initiative approved a $12,000 grant April 15 to the LCMC Endowment Fund. The Endowment applied on behalf of the Lake Fork Health Service District, the Silver Thread Public Health District, and the Hinsdale EMS. The funds are being shared immediately and equally with these healthcare service providers.
The grant is general operating fund support for organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Health Service District Executive Director Jessica Whiddon and Physician Assistant Ashley Mines enlisted the Endowment to spearhead the grant application in its role as a supporting 501(c)(3) organization.
The NextFifty Initiative created the $2.5M COVID-19 Response Fund to support Colorado nonprofits during the current emergency. The NextFifty Initiative is a Colorado-based private foundation dedicated to funding mission-driven initiatives that improve the lives of the older adult population and their caregivers. They seek to fund game-changing efforts to improve and sustain quality of life for people in their second 50 years. In 2019, 62% of Health District and 70% of EMS patients were aged 50 plus.
“When Ashley and Jessica shared the information with me about the NextFifty Initiative, I had not heard of them. As I learned more, I realized their purpose to ‘fund solutions that promote healthier, happier lives for generations to come’ was aligned perfectly with our mission” said Bernie Krystyniak, Board President for the Endowment.
Also, the El Pomar Foundation advised the Endowment on March 31 of a grant award for the Lake City Area Medical Center of $2,500 in COVID-19 assistance funds.
The grant was facilitated by Lake City resident Cindy Dozier, El Pomar’s regional council representative for Hinsdale County. Medical Center Director Dr. Gina Carr and Executive Director Jessica Whiddon provided information to describe the virus impact to the Medical Center as justification for the grant.
“We are extremely thankful to El Pomar and all of the grant programs for supporting us in this time of need. We needed extra medical protection equipment and patient supplies and El Pomar generously covered those needs” said Whiddon.
The grant from El Pomar’s Colorado Assistance Fund is for medical services and supplies related to the COVID-19 response in Hinsdale County. In early March, El Pomar established a $1 million fund providing immediate aid for nonprofits and government entities in Colorado that are providing emergency services, meeting basic human needs and supporting access to appropriate healthcare in areas affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.
El Pomar is a private foundation established in 1937 “to enhance, encourage and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado”. Since then, the Foundation has approved over 10,000 grants for over $509 million to non-profits and government organizations in Colorado. Lake City has been the beneficiary of several of these grants over the years for the medical center.
The LCMC Endowment Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) with the Mission of supporting quality health care delivery in Lake City with supported organizations Lake Fork Health Service District, Silver Thread Public Health District, and Hinsdale County EMS. The Endowment was established in 1996 with 97.7% of donations going to Lake City grants or invested for future needs.
Learn more about the Endowment at www.LCMCEndowmentFund.org. An online donation function is available. Contacting a Board member to discuss estate planning, legacy donations, and property donations is also encouraged.
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