2026 Timeline

• Application will open: September 19
• Application will close: October 19
• Top three announced: Early November
• Pitch Palooza: November 12

Payroll Department’s Pitch Palooza

The Payroll Department strategically designates a portion of its nonprofit giving in La Plata County through an exciting new grant opportunity managed by the Community Foundation serving SW Colorado. The Payroll Department will invite staff and clients to participate in this fun, philanthropic event where three nonprofits will be selected to deliver their pitch to a crowd of community-minded individuals. Attendees will vote for their favorite and awards will be granted for first, second, and third place. All three winners of the 2025 grant represented human services, so the grant team has decided to focus on other sectors this year. The Payroll Department is offering grants for three La Plata County organizations that support efforts in one of these areas:

• Youth 
• Environment
• Early Childhood Education

The Payroll Department will commit to a baseline donation amount of:

• • First place prize – $12,000 base amount
  • Second place prize – $10,000 base amount
  • Third place prize – $8,000 base amount

Payroll clients and staff will receive one voting chip when they arrive at the Pitch Palooza event. They have the option to purchase additional chips which will contribute to the overall pot and increase grant amounts.

This event will also provide nonprofits with deeper exposure to the business community and potential supporters.

The Payroll Department focuses this funding opportunity on established nonprofits. Ideal applicants are seeking funding for an expansion of program services that will support Southwest Colorado in a meaningful way.

Grant Requirements

• Your organization must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization or be a project or organization under the fiscal agency of a 501(c)(3) organization.
• Your organization must support La Plata County efforts in youth, environment, or early childhood education.
• This grant requires grantees to participate in the Pitch Palooza event. The top three nonprofits selected by the Payroll team will be invited to share a five-minute pitch and five-minute Q&A in front of clients and staff who will vote for the best pitch.
• You do not have to be a client of the Payroll Department to be considered for the grant.
• Past grantees from 2024 and 2025 are not eligible to apply again.

The application period has closed.

Past Recipients

• Community Emergency Assistance Coalition (CEAC), 2015
• The Garden Project of SW CO, 2015
• Trails 2000, 2016
• Alternative Horizons, 2016
• Bear Smart’s Fruit Gleaning Program, 2017
• 4 The Children, 2017
• La Plata Youth Services, 2018
• La Plata Family Centers Coalition, 2018
• Be Frank Foundation, 2019
• Sexual Assault Awareness Organization, 2019
• San Juan Mountains Association, 2020
• Manna, 2020
• The Grief Center of SW CO, 2020
• Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County, 2021
• Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center, 2021
• VFW #4031, 2021
• Durango Education Foundation, 2022
• Oak Tree Youth Resources, 2022
• Southwest Conservation Corps, 2022
• Community Emergency Assistance Coalition (CEAC), 2023
• Stillwater Music, 2023
• The Hive DGO, 2023
• In the Weeds, 2024
• Manna, 2024
• The Powerhouse, 2024
• Alternative Horizons, 2025
• Compañeros, 2025
• Warming Center, 2025