El Pomar Foundation
| Founded | 1937 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Spencer and Julie Penrose |
| Dissolved | Active |
| Type | 501c |
| Location | |
Area served | State of Colorado |
| Mission | Provide grants to nonprofits that provide basic services such as food, clothing, and shelter to people in need. |
| Website | http://www.elpomar.org/ |
El Pomar Foundation is a Colorado nonprofit organization (nonprofits) established in 1937 by Spencer and Julie Penrose. Assets reported on the 2010 Form 990-PF were $471,530,109.00. The foundation awards grants totaling around $20 million annually ($18,778,434; 2010 Form 990-PF) to nonprofits that provide basic services such as food, clothing, and shelter to people in need.[1] In 2010 El Pomar reached a milestone with the 10,000th grant distributed. The recipient was the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, which was co-founded by Julie, and was the first grant recipient of $2000.00 from the El Pomar Foundation in 1938.[2]
Etymology
The name "el pomar" is Spanish for "the apple orchard" and was the name of a single story residence, built for Ashton and Grace Goodyear Potter, in what was the Dixon apple orchard in 1910. Spencer and Julie acquired the residence in 1916 and added a second and third floor.[3]
History
El Pomar was founded in 1937 with 129,500 dollars and 15,000 shares of stock in the Penrose company.[4]
Funds
El Pomar has created or operates several charity funds.
Anna Keesling Ackerman Trust
In September 2006, the El Pomar foundation was given control of the "Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund". The fund, founded by Mr. Jasper D. Ackerman[5] in 1963 and named after his mother, is maintained separately. With primary concerns involving the Pikes Peak Region and El Paso County the fund supports the arts and humanities, education, health, human services, and civic and community initiatives.[6] Ackerman was co-founder of the Hall of Great Westerners in Oklahoma City.
El Pomar Wild Lands Fire Fund
In 2002, the foundation created the "El Pomar Wild Lands Fire Fund" with 5 million dollars to provide assistance to any firefighting districts across Colorado.[7]
Colorado Assistance Fund
In 2008, the "Colorado Assistance Fund" was established to provide grants to nonprofits that provides basic services such as food, clothing, and shelter to people in need in the Pikes Peak area, Pueblo County, and the nine rural regions set up by El Pomar.[8]
The Hambrick Fund
Freda Hambrick worked for Jasper D. Ackerman and the "Freda Hambrick Foundation" was founded in 1988. On November 4, 2010, the foundation terminated with all the assets, having been granted to the El Pomar Foundation, and the charity continues within El Pomar as a fund.[9]
Grant programs
El Pomar created the Awards for Excellence program in 1989, to recognize and reward Colorado nonprofit organizations and individuals. Seven "nonprofits" are honored annually and in 2011 a total of $215,000 was awarded. The program also administers:
- The Russell Thayer Tutt Award; that is awarded annually to individuals that has been an exceptional nonprofit leader in Colorado.
- The Ben S. Wendelken Special Trustees Award is awarded annually to individuals that have shown the highest level of nonprofit achievement in Colorado.
Since being established the program has awarded almost 5 million to more than 400 nonprofit organizations in Colorado.[10]
Awards
In 1998 El Pomar received the "National Outstanding Foundation Award" as the country's top fund-raiser.[11]
See also
References
- ↑ 2010 990-PF tax return-Retrieved 2012-01-06
- ↑ El Pomar 10,000th grant- Retrieved 2012-01-07
- ↑ El Pomar name- Retrieved 2012-01-07
- ↑ El Pomar founded- Retrieved 2011-01-06
- ↑ Jasper D. Ackerman- Retrieved 2012-01-06
- ↑ Ackerman-fund- Retrieved 2012-1-06
- ↑ El Pomar Wild Lands Fire Fund- Retrieved 2012-01-07
- ↑ Colorado Assistance Fund- Retrieved 2012-01-07
- ↑ 2010 Hambrick Foundation 990-PF tax return- Retrieved 2012-01-07
- ↑ "Awards for Excellence" program- Retrieved 2012-01-07
- ↑ 1998 National Outstanding Foundation Award; Newslibrary- Retrieved 2012-01-07