- Central Peaks
Chaffee, Custer, Fremont & Park counties
- High Country
Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake, Pitkin & Summit counties
- Metro
Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert & Jefferson counties
- North
Boulder, Larimer & Weld counties
- Northeast
Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington & Yuma counties
- Northwest
Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Mesa, Moffat, Routt & Rio Blanco counties
- Pikes Peak
El Paso & Teller counties
- San Juan
Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, San Miguel & Ouray counties
- San Luis Valley
Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande & Saguache counties
- Southeast
Baca, Bent, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers & Pueblo counties
- Southwest
Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma & San Juan counties
- Central Peaks
Who we are: Frequently Asked Questions
What does El Pomar mean?
El Pomar is Spanish for "the orchard." El Pomar founders Spencer and Julie Penrose lived in an estate called El Pomar because it was situated on a one-time apple orchard. When the Penroses established the Foundation they gave it the name El Pomar. The Foundation now owns the home that inspired its name and operates it as a nonprofit education and conference center called Penrose House.
Where is El Pomar Foundation located?
We're based in Colorado Springs, but we make grants and operate programs that impact residents of all 64 Colorado counties.
How much money does El Pomar have and how much does the Foundation contrubute each year?
El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest and oldest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West, with assets totaling approximately $450 million. El Pomar currently contributes approximately $20 million annually through grants and programs.From its inception, El Pomar Foundation has provided more than $400 million in capital, program, and general operating support through direct grantmaking and has invested more than $47 million in various programs.
How do the trustees decide who gets grants and what kind of programs to operate?
The trustees look to the Penroses for guidance. Based on their legacy, the following guidelines help inform the trustees' decision making:
- Identify, encourage, and support outstanding leaders of all ages
- Promote innovation to effect positive change
- Respond strategically and quickly to Colorado's changing needs
- Create multiple impacts for every dollar spent
- Provide additional resources when grant dollars alone are not the solution.
2013-05-14 Ready for Success
On the Blog: Fountain Fort Carson High School senior Kennedy Word has a tough decision to...
2013-05-09 Developing Leaders: The Student Leadership Experience
On the Blog: Last month, the SLE scholars met in Denver for their third and final retreat...
2013-04-25 A Night in Dialogue
On Location: The first of three Fellowship Dialogue sessions centered on the theme of "Redefining...
2013-04-17 The Last Legacy Trustee
On the Blog: Remembering El Pomar Legacy Trustee Kent Olin
2013-04-12 Trustees Approve Grants
On the Blog: El Pomar Trustees recently met and approved 42 grants totaling more than $625...
2013-04-09 The Western Slope Listening Tour: the road to Rural Philanthropy Days
On Location: Over the course of three days, representatives from several front range foundations...
2013-04-04 Introducing El Pomar’s Youth Development Project
On the Blog: For the past five months, El Pomar Foundation has been working in partnership...
2013-03-21 Shaking for Community
On the Blog: I find it a trend in my life that I typically jump into things without fully...
2013-03-19 A Partnership for Northwest Colorado
On the Blog: Last year, El Pomar’s Northwest Regional Council spearheaded an innovative...
