Q1 SPUR Fund: Supporting Summer Programs for Working Families
The Community Foundation is proud to enter its second year of the SPUR Fund program, providing unsolicited grants given quarterly to nonprofit programs selected in response to emerging needs across our region.
SPUR stands for Special Projects Uniquely Responsive. Each quarter, this fund identifies a timely need and directs support toward organizations across all five counties and two sovereign nations of Southwest Colorado that are working to address it.
In the first quarter of 2026, the focus was summer programs that provide affordable, full-day childcare for working families. Enriching summer programming is essential for children’s development, and access to affordable options is a well-known challenge for working parents across our region.
The Virga Foundation, based in Cortez, generously partnered with the Community Foundation to provide additional support for Montezuma County programs. Here are the organizations that received grants from the Q1 SPUR Fund:
TeamUp Summer Program Scholarship Partnerships — La Plata County
TeamUp works directly with nonprofits hosting summer programs in Bayfield, Durango, Ignacio, and the Southern Ute community to provide scholarships to families in need, ensuring kids across La Plata County have access to quality summer care regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Pagosa Community Initiative — Archuleta County
Pagosa Community Initiative offers the only full-day, multi-week summer program for youth in Pagosa Springs. Their GET Wild camp runs for nine weeks and serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade, with scholarship support available for families in need.
Dove Creek Community Center — Dolores County
The Dove Creek Community Center’s Summer Activities Program for Youth runs three days a week through June and July, offering a low-cost drop-in program for children ages 4–12. The program brings together local partners, including Colorado State Extension, wildlife educators, and youth nonprofits like STUD, to provide hands-on activities at just $4 per day.
ROCK (Reaching Out to Community and Kids) — Dolores County
ROCK runs a six-to-eight-week summer program serving youth K–12 in Dove Creek, two days per week. The program offers art, skills workshops, hot lunches, and take-home meals for the weekends, along with a back-to-school supply distribution and community BBQ to close out the summer.
Cortez Recreation Center — Montezuma County
The Cortez Recreation Center’s Playground Days program is designed with working families in mind, running Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the full summer. The program serves children ages 5–10 in a structured, fun environment, with scholarship support available to reduce financial barriers for families.
Mancos United — Montezuma County
Mancos United’s Summer Hub is a one-of-a-kind program in the region: all-day, all-week, all-summer screen-free care with a single registration, serving over 100 kids each summer. The program never turns away a child due to financial barriers and includes the unique support of an on-site therapist.
Silverton School & Family Center — San Juan County
The Silverton School and Silverton Family Center partner each summer to provide completely free programming for K–12 students. In addition to academics, younger children participate in activities like swimming lessons, while middle and high schoolers have the opportunity to join free overnight excursions (including camping and river trips) designed to fit the realities of teens who work during the summer to help their families.
Kwiyagat Community Academy Adventure Club — Ute Mountain Ute Nation
The KCA Adventure Club provides summer enrichment programming for youth on the Ute Mountain Ute Nation, offering hands-on activities and community connection during the summer months.
Interested in providing impactful support to great work across Southwest Colorado?
The SPUR Fund reflects our commitment to responsive, community-driven philanthropy. If you’d like to support this program, visit our SPUR donation page. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity!
