Andrew's Farewell to the Fellowship

Andrew Schwartz, member of the Fellowship Class of 2018, describes his post-Fellowship plans and reflects on what he learned during his time at the Foundation.

Defining Community Engagement in its Many Forms

Shelby Pauka, a 1st Year Fellow with El Pomar, explores her experiences with community engagement, which she defines as determining the needs of a community through asking questions and inviting participation as opposed to making decisions about communities without input.

Prescriptions for a Healthier Colorado Springs

El Pomar’s Pikes Peak Heritage Series, in partnership with Colorado Health Foundation, hosted a series titled Pikes Peak Outdoors: Prescriptions for a Healthier Colorado Springs and summarized the events' discussions in a report.

Five Lessons We've Learned About Funding Mental Health

El Pomar's North Regional Council shares five key lessons from funding in mental health. In sharing these lessons, the Council hopes others considering funding in mental health have an additional resource as they strive to make an impact in this critically important area.

El Pomar Foundation boosts nonprofits during pandemic

Multiple regions in Colorado report the organizations receiving Colorado Assistance Fund grant dollars for their work in response to COVID-19.

Five Ways to Provide Meaningful Leadership Development

Jennifer Dodd, Associate Vice President and Director of Leadership Programs at El Pomar, outlines five strategies for creating meaningful leadership and professional development experiences that she has prioritized during her time managing the Fellowship program.

A Data Driven Approach to Grant Making

The El Pomar High Country Regional Council used data to inform its funding funding decisions in the area of at-risk middle school youth. Hannah Grace, a 1st Year Fellow with El Pomar, explains how the Council used objective metrics to identify a need-based distribution of funds.

REACH Pikes Peak plans move to Helen Hunt Elementary campus

REACH Pikes Peak, a local nonprofit serving low-income individuals and families throughout El Paso County, announced a big move Feb. 26.

Connection through Service: Giving Back to Colorado

Kayla Shock, a 1st Year Fellow with El Pomar, expresses her excitement to learn more about the issues affecting Colorado and to serve communities across the state. Growing up in Colorado Springs, Kayla had the opportunity to see the impact of El Pomar's grant dollars, and now she is directly involved in the Foundation's philanthropic work.

Reflections on Veterans' Homelessness in the Pikes Peak Region

As 2nd Year Fellow Janni Conrad concludes her work with the Pikes Peak Regional Council, she reflects on several news stories that have influenced the way she thinks about the Council’s focus area of veterans’ homelessness and veterans’ homelessness prevention.

117-year-old building in Yampa receives Colorado’s most prestigious award for historic preservation

The successful renovation of a once-derelict building in Yampa received the state’s most prestigious award for historic preservation

On Being Direct

Tim Jenkins, a 1st Year Fellow with El Pomar, learned the power of being direct while handling a challenging situation as a camp counselor in New Hampshire. He continues to use leadership lessons from camp to inform his work as a Fellow.

Intern Blog Series: Jordan Lobato's Meal with the Penroses

El Pomar Intern Jordan Lobato illustrates the importance of El Pomar's Regional Partnerships program for Julie and Spencer Penrose as if she was able to travel 82 years into the past to connect with them in person. Jordan aspires to make a difference in her home town in the San Luis Valley, and this program has granted her the insight and the tools to spark positive change.

Enhance, Encourage, Promote

El Pomar CEO Kyle Hybl reflects on 2019 and a few ways the Foundation honored the mission of Spencer and Julie Penrose: to enhance, encourage and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado.

Intern Blog Series: Katie Torres' Meal with the Penroses

El Pomar Intern Katie Torres highlights El Pomar's capacity to convene and empower local leaders for Julia and Spencer Penrose as if she was able to travel 82 years into the past to dine with them in person. Her role as the Outreach Intern and work with the Emerging Leaders Development program has emphasized for Katie the importance of investing in the leadership development of community members.