Evoking Change through Embracing and Enhancing Diverse Populations

Mikayla Lerch, a class of 2022 Intern, says that her role as an El Pomar Intern with the Elevating Leadership Development program helped her to expand her values by working with nonprofit organizations, boards and councils who directly serve minority populations.

1st Year Reflection: Navigating Community Engagement

1st Year Fellow Phoenix Chang-Roper shares what she has learned about navigating community engagement over the years.

An Interview with Stella Hodgkins, Senior Vice President of Opportunity and Outreach

In this blog, former Fellow, Megan Sanders, interviews Stella Hodgkins, Senior Vice President of Opportunity and Outreach at El Pomar.

Curating the new Heritage Gallery at Penrose Heritage Museum

Samantha Means, Assistant Curator of the Penrose Heritage Museum, shares insight into the process of curating the museum's newest exhibit.

Courageous Discomfort and Empty Chairs

Creed Bauman, Internship Class of 2022, reflects on El Pomar Foundation's Regional Partnership Program and the role it plays in helping us to diversify decision making.

Southwest Regional Council Expands Focus from Youth Mental Health to Youth Development

Over the past six years supporting youth mental health, the Southwest Regional Council has expanded its understanding of the ever-evolving and diverse youth well-being needs in the region and the programs and solutions that most effectively address these needs. As a result, the Council’s focus has evolved from youth mental health, specifically, to youth well-being and development, more generally.

San Juan Regional Council Moves from Responsive to Preventive Mental Health Funding

Over the past few years, the San Juan Regional Council has focused its grant making efforts on youth mental health. While responsive care in the region serves an essential purpose in supporting mental and behavioral health care needs, the Council has recently focused efforts on funding local organizations working towards holistic youth well-being through preventative mental health programming.

Nancy Richardson Presented with Julie Penrose Award

On Tuesday, August 9, El Pomar Foundation presented Co-founder of Otter Products, LLC and founder of OtterCares Foundation Nancy Richardson with the annual Julie Penrose Award, an award which honors philanthropic women within the state of Colorado. The award connects these women with the legacy of the Foundation’s co-founder Julie Penrose, who supported the arts, education, health and civic ventures across the state throughout her life.

20 Years of Wildland Fire Fund

June 2022 marked 20 years of El Pomar's Wildland Fire Fund supporting firefighting agencies throughout Colorado.

A Special “HOOAH” to Terrance McWilliams

After 15 years of dedicated service at El Pomar and 31 years in the Army, Terrance McWilliams will retire from his role at El Pomar Foundation effective September 1, 2022. His retirement will mark over 5,510 days of service to the people of Colorado and an estimated 27,562 exclamations of “HOOAH!” in the halls and spaces of Penrose House and 10 Lake.

Reliable and Responsive: Grant Making in Response to Crisis

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Matt Carpenter shares how El Pomar embodies the values of Reliability and Responsiveness through grant making.

Nowhere to Hide: Managing for the Difficult Times

Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer R. Thayer Tutt reflects on a challenging market and his strategy to manage for difficult times.

Julie Penrose Inducted into The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame

El Pomar Foundation's benevolent and visionary co-founder, Julie Penrose, has been chosen for induction into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame for the Class of 2022. Described as an astute community leader, resolute philanthropist, and patron of the arts, she has been further recognized as one of the most influential women in the growth and development of Colorado and Colorado Springs with this honor.

The Value of Multi-Year Grant Making in the High Country Region

The High Country Regional Council recognized the opportunity for greater impact through making long-term commitments to nonprofits. According to Regional Trustee Dave Palenchar, “the additional security of future years of funding provides the nonprofit the opportunity to spend more strategic time on mission engagement and allows it to better address and adapt to the changing challenges it will likely face while pursuing its programmatic objectives over several years.”

Curating the Narrative of the Penrose Legacy

Hear from Curator of Historic Properties and Archives, Sarah Woods, about her process for designing and curating the newest exhibit at the Penrose Heritage Museum.

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