The Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) has announced that the individual assistance program, previously open to supporting individuals facing COVID-related loss of income or drastic change in life circumstances, has been wound down.
In January, CCCF’s Board allocated $50,000 from the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) toward this program. In the last six months, CCCF has received 62 total applications, 21 of these requests met the criteria for assistance and were funded totaling $31,188.31 paid directly to the appropriate vendors. Most of this assistance was for housing-related costs, with some assistance being provided for car repairs and medical bills.
In recent months, the number of applicants who met the program criteria had dropped off substantially, yet CCCF was made aware of the increased need in the community for emergency shelter resources. This increased need, paired with a reduced inventory of affordable housing, caused focus to be shifted to unsheltered individuals.
The CCCF Grants Committee unanimously approved the winding down of the individual assistance program, and a grant for the balance of the original allocation – $18,811.69 to be paid to the nonprofit Chaffee County Hospitality, Inc. Chaffee County Hospitality provides direct emergency sheltering services for individuals and families in crisis or transition.
The ERF reports that it maintains a strong balance of just over $330,000, which is being stewarded carefully and thoughtfully by the CCCF Board of Directors. Since its inception, CCCF recognized the need for a locally-controlled, “evergreen” fund to be in place to respond to urgent community needs brought on by emergencies, disasters, or crises. First established during the Decker Fire in late 2019, then ramped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, CCCF has disbursed close to $900,000 through the Emergency Response Fund with 100 percent of the money going to Chaffee families, nonprofits, and small businesses.
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