Funded Projects2021 Funded Project: Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley

August 25, 2022

Strengthening and Enriching the Gunnison Valley

The Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley (CFGV) strengthens and enriches the community through engaged philanthropy, thoughtful grantmaking, strategic education, and collaborative leadership. Historically, the CFGV has served as a resource for Gunnison Valley nonprofit organizations, providing everything from funds to technical assistance. Recently, the CFGV has focused on hosting “sandbox” conversations for various groups and organizations to collaborate and engage in cooperative work, as well as discussing regional, cross-cutting community issues with local leaders.

Helping to Preserve and Protect the Environment

In honor of Chris’ passion for travel and love of the outdoors, particularly Crested Butte, the Chris Mikesell Foundation provides assistance to organizations dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment’s natural beauty. Because of CFGV’s history of providing funding and technical assistance to environmental organizations, as well as its focus on hosting “sandbox” conversations that include environmental organizations in the Gunnison Valley, the Chris Mikesell Foundation provided a $3,500 grant to the organization in 2021.

“We appreciate the opportunity to carry on Chris’ legacy. Community foundations are dynamic organizations catering their work to the community they serve...

The CFGV is committed to having a staff that is deeply immersed in the local community to help respond to needs as they arise.”
— CFGV

Supporting Worthy Environmental Organizations

Aided by the $3,500 contributed by the Chris Mikesell Foundation in 2021, the CFGV was recently able to provide technical assistance to the Coldharbour Institute and the High Country Conservation Advocates, as well as funding to the following environmental organizations:

Crested Butte Land Trust

The nonprofit organization works with partners to preserve scenic vistas, wildlife habitats, local ranching heritage, and recreational opportunities forever. Willing landowners, local ranchers, government entities, fellow nonprofits, and committed community members make their valuable work possible.
Visit Website
Crested Butte Wildflower Festival

The nonprofit organization was founded in 1986 to celebrate the beauty of the montane and alpine wildflower environments in and around the Gunnison Valley. Today, it continues to advocate for the preservation and appreciation of wildflowers, instilling both awareness and admiration of our interdependence with our natural wildflower habitats.
Visit Website
Mountain Roots Food Project

The mission of the Mountain Roots Food Project is to cultivate a resilient food system in the Gunnison Valley by enhancing healthy connections between food, earth, and community. The nonprofit organization fosters knowledge, teaches skills, and provides opportunities that ensure access to affordable, nutritious food that is regionally based and sustainably produced.
Visit Website
Sustainable Crested Butte

The mission of Sustainable Crested Butte is to build a waste-free future in the Gunnison Valley. The nonprofit organization has become integral to the Crested Butte community as a leader in education, advocacy, and resources for renewable practices and sustainability.
Visit Website

“It’s an honor to carry on Chris’ infectious and generous personality through work with Gunnison Valley nonprofits and the broader community!”

— Lauren Kugler, Executive Director, CFGV

To see a comprehensive history of organizations and causes the Chris Mikesell Foundation has supported, view all Funded Projects.

View All

hidden-text