Partnering for Community Relief

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chaffee County Community Foundation has raised and distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the people and businesses in the County. 

Working with the City, community partners and residents, CCCF raised more than $700,000 for its COVID Emergency Relief Fund, which was distributed to local households who have experienced a job loss, nonprofits, food assistance programs, support networks for youth and small businesses in Chaffee County.

Salida City Council and leadership authorized a total of $338,000 to CCCFs COVID response programs, reimbursable to the City from the Federal CARES Act. 

"The City of Salida has been an incredible and crucial partner,” said CCCF director Joseph Teipel. “Not only was Salida the ‘first in’ to contribute to the ERF in March, but they have also been a thought partner, leader, and more than willing to entertain and jump in with additional financial support.” 

Of the $700,000 raised, $300,000 was given to 350 Chaffee households in direct cash assistance for job loss, $72,000 to 28 Chaffee nonprofits, nine food-assistance programs were convened in a group-based program, and a network of organizations serving youth was formed to support remote learning. Additionally, $400,000 in COVID relief grants was offered to more than 40 small businesses and 24 nonprofits. 

Founded in 2018, CCCF is a nonprofit organization that works to increase philanthropic and capacity-building resources for all Chaffee nonprofits. It partners with community leaders to plan and implement ways to deepen community impact and elevate a culture of giving and investing locally. 

“Philanthropy as a word often conjures the image of a wealthy man sitting behind a great mahogany desk writing a check with many zeroes and much pomp and circumstance,” said Teipel. “Yet especially in times of crisis like 2020, we see the power of philanthropy is not only with those who can write large checks. It is even more so with the everyday person who wants to contribute and give back or chip in.”