June 2025
An Impact Investment loan of $300K was made to the Yampa Valley Autism Program (YVAP) for the purchase, remodel and move-in expenses of a permanent home on Mid Valley Drive. The bridge loan allowed YVAP to close on the new facility by the June 30 sale deadline while pursuing grants and other diversified sources of funding.
YVAP serves individuals with neurodiversity across the autism spectrum, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges, as well as their families. The new facility is ADA-compliant, located on a public transit route and, having previously been a clinical office, is already divided into individual exam rooms, allowing each therapist to have a private office. The additional space helps YVAP meet the significant increase in services being delivered, a 37% increase last year and an anticipated 52% increase this year; these services include new diagnostic services initially funded by a 2023 YVCF Community Grant.
“While pursuing several additional anticipated donations and grants to close the remaining gap, it was the Community Foundation’s loan that allowed us to meet the purchase deadline and not lose out on the opportunity for this building that is going to enhance our operations greatly,” said Heidi Mendisco, YVAP Executive Director.
By securing a permanent, purpose-fit facility, YVAP will be able to significantly expand and improve its offerings, which include one-on-one behavioral therapy, life-skills and workforce readiness training, social-emotional development programs, family support services, and diagnostic services. In addition, a self-owned, permanent home also reduces reliance on a short-term lease in a temporary space and reduces overhead costs by 82% by eliminating their rent expenses, ensuring stability for the continuity and growth of YVAP’s finances and services.
To learn more about the Yampa Valley Autism Program, go to: https://yampavalleyautism.org/
“We are really pleased that through our relatively new Impact Investing program we can leverage our assets to help nonprofits access low-expense capital – catalyzing their transformational efforts and actually improving their bottom line,” said Tim Wohlgenant, YVCF CEO. “And once the repayments are made, we’ll be able to invest the returned loans toward other opportunities.”
To learn more about YVCF’s Impact Investment Program, go to: https://yvcf.org/impact-investing/
