Funded Projects2024 Funded Project: Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley

April 7, 2025

Inspiring People So Everyone Thrives

Since its establishment in 2007, the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley (CFGV) has dedicated itself to enriching the local community through engaged philanthropy, thoughtful grantmaking, strategic education, and collaborative leadership. The Foundation serves the Gunnison Valley by allocating funds to other community-centered nonprofits through its Community Grants Cycle, STEP (Sustainable, Tough, Efficient, Purposeful) Program, training, and technical assistance. With a vision to inspire and connect people, the organization’s ultimate goal remains—to help everyone thrive.

Creating Solutions for Community Challenges

Taking a “Here for Good” approach to philanthropy, the CFGV works to improve the quality of life in the Gunnison Valley by bringing generous donors and local nonprofits together. Through its various programs, it hopes to strengthen and empower nonprofits so that they can more effectively accomplish their work. These programs—the Community Grants Cycle, STEP Program, etc.—provide funding, one-on-one guidance, and organization-wide support to nonprofits, who are then able to provide programming focused on art, recreation, basic needs, education, and environmental stewardship throughout the Valley. By connecting needs to resources, the organization is uniquely positioned to bring the nonprofit, business, and government sectors together to work on local initiatives and create solutions to challenges faced by the community.

Preserving Crested Butte’s Natural Beauty

In honor of Chris’ passion for travel and love of the outdoors, particularly Crested Butte, the Chris Mikesell Foundation assists organizations dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment’s natural beauty. In 2024, the Chris Mikesell Foundation donated $3,000 to the CFGV to support its Community Grants program. In recent years, local nonprofit requests from CFGV have increased, and the funds provided by the Chris Mikesell Foundation have allowed the organization to expand its available funds to meet those growing demands.

“Grants from the Chris Mikesell Foundation have been instrumental in helping CFGV grow our grant dollars so that our nonprofits and community as a whole can continue to thrive. Thank you for your continued support; we are honored to be able to help keep Chris’s legacy and love for the Valley going strong through the support it provides throughout the community.”

— Lauren Kugler, Executive Director, CFGV