At its recent spring 2020 meeting, the WZ Giving Circle funded eight grants totaling $26,964 to assist local families in need. The WZ Giving Circle reviews proposals submitted by partner organizations on behalf of individuals or families experiencing a crisis and in need of immediate financial assistance. During this biannual round of granting, organizations that received funding are: United Way of Routt County/Routt to Success, LiftUp of Routt County, South Routt School District & Town of Oak Creek, Integrated Community and Come As You Are.
A few examples of the needs met include:
$7,000 toward a cochlear implant for an 8-year-old boy with autism. This grant to Integrated Community bridged the remaining gap in funding by a collection of local nonprofits, a wonderful example of philanthropic collaboration.
$3,365 to LiftUp of Routt County to help cover medical bills for a single mother.
$2,500 to Routt to Success for a single mother of five, to repair a child’s room after mold mitigation.
The WZ Giving Circle meets two times per year in the spring and in the fall to learn about the current needs of the community and make collective decisions about the most impactful place to grant their pooled funds. Since its inception in 2015, the WZ Giving Circle has granted out $240,583 to fund 81 proposals. This program is sponsored by the Yampa Valley Community Foundation.
The group is accepting new members. Learn more here