El Pomar Approves $147,500 for Northeast Colorado Groups
Trustees approved grants to 17 entities in the Foundation's Northeast region at its most recent meeting.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy
El Pomar Trustees approved $147,500 in grants allocated to 17 entities in the Northeast region at the Foundation's most recent Trustees meeting. Recipients include Centennial Mental Health Center in Sterling, which received $500, and S.A.R.A., Inc. in Fort Morgan, which received $20,000.
Why it matters
The grants channel funding to nonprofit organizations across Colorado's northeastern counties through a process that relies on regional councils to recommend awards. Residents of the region may see the funded programs in their communities.
El Pomar approved $147,500 across 17 Northeast region entities, against annual grant contributions of more than $30 million. The awards range from $500 to Centennial Mental Health Center to $20,000 for S.A.R.A., Inc., and the source does not break out the remaining allocations.
The players
El Pomar Foundation
El Pomar Foundation is a Colorado philanthropic foundation founded in 1937 by Spencer and Julie Penrose that makes grants through regional councils and Trustee approval.
Centennial Mental Health Center, Inc.
Centennial Mental Health Center, Inc. is a Sterling-based organization that received a $500 grant for general operating support and staff merit.
S.A.R.A., Inc.
S.A.R.A., Inc. is a Fort Morgan organization that received the largest award in the set, $20,000 for general operating support through the competitive process.
The details
Grants were recommended by regional councils and approved by El Pomar Trustees through categories including competitive, regional council, regional merit and Trustee regional merit awards. Cheyenne County Ambulance Service in Cheyenne Wells received $5,000 and Ogallala Commons, Inc. in Springfield received $15,000 for internship programs.
Timeline
1937: El Pomar Foundation was founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose.
2003: The Regional Partnerships program was established.
Grants were approved at the Foundation's most recent Trustees meeting, reported in an article published November 10, 2026.
Philanthropy Context
The Northeast awards follow the regional-council model that El Pomar's Regional Partnerships program set up in 2003, with each of the Foundation's 11 regional councils advising Trustees on recommended grants. The source does not indicate whether the current allocations change the program's funding pattern.
Nonprofits in Northeast Colorado counties may apply for El Pomar grants on a rolling basis through competitive applications. Organizations seeking funding can review the Foundation's grant-making areas on its website.
The takeaway
Nonprofits seeking support for programs in Colorado's Northeast counties can apply through El Pomar's competitive process, which accepts applications on a rolling basis. Reviewing the funds and areas the Foundation supports before applying can help organizations target the right grant category.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Philanthropy in Colorado business news.
More information
Review the El Pomar Foundation grant-making funds and areas on the foundation's official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sterling Journal-Advocate.
