Empowering Nonprofits

Dan Cardinali, president and CEO of Independent Sector, elaborates on how big bets can help redistribute wealth and rebalance the power dynamic between donors and nonprofits. Mr. Cardinali discusses El Pomar's Regional Partnership program and celebrates the power of listening to local communities.

Work That Hits Close to Home

Doug Palmer, Fellowship Class of 2018, reflects on growing up in the North Region and his work with our Regional Partnerships Program.

Regional Partnerships - A Letter from the Director

Livable communities to work, play, and stay. A Letter from the Director 2018 marked the 15th year for Regional Partnerships, the perfect opportunity to step back, reflect on accomplishments, and think strategically about how the program can be most impactful moving forward.

Voices of the Internship - Hitting the Right Note at Penrose House

Empty Stocking Fund notches third-highest total in 35-year history

The latest Gazette/El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund raised $1,206,371 — the 3rd-highest total in the campaign’s history.

Challenger Learning Center gets El Pomar donation to complete space science center

Starting this fall, kids blasting off for space at the Challenger Learning Center will do so from a galaxy-sized improved launch site.

Voices of the Internship - Understanding the Role of Philanthropy

Celebrating 80 Years - Scientia et Disciplina, 2017, Colorado College

Colorado College is the oldest institution of higher education in Colorado Springs and El Pomar Foundation’s largest grant recipient to date. The connection between the college and the Foundation is owed to the school’s prominence in the community in the early twentieth-century, and Spencer and Julie Penrose’s committed support for education.

Celebrating 80 Years - On the RISE, 2016, Southeast Colorado Springs Initiative

Creating livable communities to work, play, and stay requires the vision and engagement of many. It demands vision of community members, the financial support of many, and robust partnerships with nonprofit, local government, and business entities. With this in mind, El Pomar released Possibilities: Southeast Colorado Springs Request for Proposal, which led to El Pomar’s support of the RISE (Resilient, Inspired, Strong, Engaged) Coalition.

Celebrating 80 Years - WiFi for Westcliffe, 2015, Upper Arkansas Regional Service Council

Throughout rural Colorado, access to fast and reliable internet can be an important driver of economic development and regional vitality. In 2015, the Central Peaks Regional Council recommended a matching grant to help bring broadband access to Westcliffe in advance of the Ride the Rockies bike race.

Celebrating 80 Years - 2014, United States Olympic Museum

As “Olympic City USA,” Colorado Springs is home to the United States Olympic Committee headquarters, more than 20 national governing bodies of sport, and over 10,000 Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls hone their craft at the training center every year. Opening in spring 2020, the United States Olympic Museum will add another element to the City’s proud Olympic landscape.

Voices of the Internship - Considering Sustainability and Impact in Grant Making

2018 Intern Hannah Grace Bauman reflects on her work in the Grants Office and what it means to create positive impact.

Celebrating 80 Years - 2013, Northeastern Junior College and Morgan Community College

Education and workforce development are essential and interconnected elements for the success of a community. In the plains of northeast Colorado, Northeastern Junior College and Morgan Community College provide opportunities for students to develop valuable, meaningful skills in order to find career success and give back to the local region. From 2011 to 2014, El Pomar’s Northeast Regional Council supported business coursework and a business plan competition at each school.

Voices of the Internship - Lunch with Mrs. Penrose

If you could go to lunch with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? 2018 intern Maddie Warren says, "Julie Penrose."

Celebrating 80 Years - 2012, Colorado Springs Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Section

In 2012, the Waldo Canyon Fire threatened thousands of homes and businesses in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Woodland Park. Once the fire was contained and residents were safe, the Colorado Springs Fire Department Wildfire Mitigation Section returned to its important work educating the community about best practices for wildfire mitigation and providing consultations and land management to ensure the safety of the region.