BREAKING: The One Lafayette Fund has just awarded $29,000 to 12 local nonprofits, marking a significant shift in grant administration from city oversight to the Community Foundation Boulder County. This funding supports vital community services including food assistance, youth programs, and safety-net services right in Lafayette, Colorado.
This year’s recipients include organizations such as Coal Creek Meals on Wheels, Community Food Share, and Sister Carmen Community Center, among others. The grant awards come at a crucial time as these nonprofits expand their outreach to serve the growing needs of the community.
The restructuring of the One Lafayette Fund comes after Lafayette’s City Council officially transferred grant oversight to the Community Foundation in December 2024. This decision followed the approval of a dedicated mental health and human services sales tax by voters in 2021, which now provides a stable revenue source for future community grants. City spokesperson Natalie Miller noted, “The sales tax was ‘up and running’ in 2023,” enhancing the city’s capacity to support local organizations.
Historically, the One Lafayette Fund began as a city-run initiative in the early 2000s, formalized in 2008 with seed funding from the city. This year, the grant distribution process involved over 80 community volunteers who reviewed proposals and recommended funding, demonstrating a robust community engagement effort.
“The Community Foundation is grateful for our long-time partnership with local municipalities like the city of Lafayette, and we are honored to carry on the work of the One Lafayette fund,” said Sarah Harrison, vice president of programs at the Community Foundation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in serving community needs.
Here’s the breakdown of this year’s grant allocations:
– Coal Creek Adult Education Center – $2,000
– Coal Creek Meals on Wheels – $3,500
– Community Food Share – $3,500
– Imagine! – $2,000
– Rise Against Suicide – $2,000
– Rocky Mountain Legal Center – $2,000
– Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence – $2,000
– Sister Carmen Community Center – $3,750
– Thorne Nature Experience – $2,000
– Arts Hub – $2,000
– WOW! Children’s Museum – $2,000
– YMCA of Northern Colorado – $2,000
The One Lafayette Fund remains endowed, allowing for sustainable annual grants while maintaining the principal amount. The foundation’s spokesperson indicated that future grant totals are expected to mirror this year’s distribution, signaling ongoing support for community initiatives.
Community members eager to contribute can donate to the One Lafayette fund by sending checks to the City of Lafayette at the address provided in the official announcement. As the city continues to evolve its funding strategies, the impact of these grants on local nonprofits and the communities they serve is clearer than ever.
Stay tuned for more urgent updates on community initiatives and funding opportunities in Lafayette as they develop.
