Monarch Mountain Community Outreach

Monarch Mountain Community Outreach is thrilled to announce its new partnership with the Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) to enhance its support for the local community. Since its inception in 2004 by a dedicated group of Monarch Mountain owners and employees, Monarch Mountain Community Outreach has contributed over $400,000 to local charitable organizations.

Through partnership with CCCF Monarch Mountain offers three ways for local organizations to secure much needed resources for their critical work. See below for information on how to apply and how to contribute to the Monarch Mountain Community Outreach Fund.

Monarch Mountain Community Outreach Grant Opportunities:

  • Community Grants Application: Nonprofit organizations serving Chaffee County can apply for $500 to $2000 starting April 1, 2025 on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. See below for eligibility criteria, scoring rubric, and process. $15,000 in funds available in 2025. Applications CLOSED and all 2025 funds have been expended.

  • Matching Donation Program: Opportunity for Monarch Mountain Season Pass Holders and Employees to have their generous contributions to nonprofit organizations serving Chaffee County matched - doubling the impact. $5,000 in matching funds available in 2025. Matching Donations Open April 1, 2025!

  • Impact Grants: Nonprofit organizations serving Chaffee County can apply for $5,000 - $10,000 for a specific project that aligns with Monarch Mountain’s core values of environmental sustainability, recreation, humanitarian, and fostering a supportive community. $10,000 in funding available for 1-2 awardees. Applications open July 28 - August 29, 2025.

  • FAQs on Monarch Mountain Contributions: Please review the list of frequently asked questions.

Community Grants APPLICATION:

2025 Applications CLOSED

Your work matters. We're here to support you.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2025 Monarch Mountain Community Outreach Grant Cycle! Your dedication to serving our community makes a difference. We're here to support and invest in your impact through grants valued at $500-$2,000.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Mark Your Calendar: Applications open April 1! Prepare now by creating or updating your user and organization profiles to ensure a smooth application process.

  • Act Quickly: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are fully allocated.

  • Streamlined Review Process:

    • Applications submitted by the end of the month will be reviewed after the 1st of the following month.

    • Award announcements will be made by the 15th of the following month.

  • Quick Funding Turnaround: Once approved, grants will be paid within 10 business days of completing the grant agreement.

This grant cycle is designed to empower local organizations to spark meaningful change. Don’t miss your chance to fuel progress and transform our community—one grant at a time.

Let’s create something extraordinary together!

Monarch Mountain Impact grants

CCCF is excited to partner with Monarch Mountain for the new Impact Grant cycle. These funds support projects that align with Monarch Mountain’s core values of environmental sustainability, recreation, humanitarian, and fostering a supportive community. Please read this information carefully before applying.

  • Applications open Monday, July 28th (you can create/update your user & organization profiles ahead of time!). 

  • Application deadline is Friday, August 29th at 11:59 pm. 

  • Reviews and decisions will be conducted in September/October. 

  • Grant Award notifications will be issued in the first week of November. 

  • Approved grants will be paid within 10 business days of a completed grant agreement.

  • Reviews and decisions will be conducted in September/October. 

PROCESS

All applications will follow this process:

  • Initial staff screening to ensure completeness, CO Secretary of State Good Standing, review of financials and eligibility check. 

  • Staff review and ranking based in the Grant Rubrics. Finalists will be shared with the Monarch Fund Advisors for final funding recommendation.

  • The committee may assign applicants to a “site visit” if follow up questions or clarifications are needed to fully evaluate the grant request. Site visits may take the form of a phone call, email or in-person meeting depending on the nature of the questions.

  • It is expected that 1-2 applicants will be funded. 

  • All approved grants, upon the completion of a grant agreement, will receive funds via direct deposit.

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

The 2025 Monarch Mountain Impact Grant process will award $10,000 to one or more applications for projects that align with Monarch Mountain’s core values of environmental sustainability, recreation, humanitarian, and fostering a supportive community across Chaffee County. Strong applications will clearly describe the needs being addressed, approach to addressing the needs, activities, outputs and outcomes of the project or program. Applicants can apply for an existing project or program, but should be able to clearly describe how the grant will increase the impact. Public/private partnerships are encouraged to apply, but the applicant must be a 501c3. 

Applications that demonstrate the following factors will be most competitive: 

  • Clearly defined activities that are meeting an identified community need

  • Measurable outcomes, outputs, and impacts for proposed programs and projects

  • Supporting data to help define the organization's impact and need

  • Applications are encouraged to review the Application Questions and the Impact Grants Rubric prior to starting the application.


Type of Organization: All applications must be 501c3 (or under the fiscal sponsorship of an eligible organization) in good standing with the IRS and State of Colorado to be eligible for funding. The review committees will determine how many awards will be selected for each grant, but all applicants are eligible to request up to the maximum amount. 

Funds must be expended and final reports on the project or program impact submitted by July 31, 2026. 

Reporting Requirements: Organizations with outstanding grant reports will not be considered for funding opportunities. Receipt of any past due grant report by CCCF is required before the organization will be considered for an impact grant.

CONTACT

If you have any questions at all, please contact us at anna@chaffeecommunity.org and allow two business days for a response. Thank you!

Matching Donation Program:

Double Your Impact, Strengthen Our Community

Monarch Mountain Community Outreach, believes a community thrives when everyone plays a role in creating positive change. That’s why we’re inviting you, our dedicated season pass holders and employees, to champion causes that inspire you! Together, we can amplify the impact of your generosity.

When you support charitable, civic, or educational organizations with a financial contribution, Monarch Mountain Community Outreach will match your donation dollar-for-dollar up to $500 to qualifying organizations. It’s our way of helping you make a bigger difference for the causes that matter most to you.

Monarch Mountain Community Outreach matching donations are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis from a limited pool of funds administered by the Chaffee County Community Foundation.

Let’s work together to build a stronger, more vibrant community—one inspired act of generosity at a time

Click Here for full Monarch Mountain Matching Donation Program Guidelines and to submit a matching donation.



FAQs:

How do I request an event sponsorship from Monarch Mountain? Sponsorships opportunities should be directed to Monarch Mountain. Sponsorship opportunities will be evaluated based on marketing benefits and value.

Can I apply for a community grant, impact grant and request a sponsorship? Yes. Organizations are welcome to apply to multiple funding opportunities and are not precluded from applying for another opportunity if they are awarded.

How do I request inkind donations from Monarch Mountain, like lift tickets or swag? Inkind requests should be directed to Monarch Mountain.

I received more than the $2,000 limit in the past from MMCO. Am I able to request more than $2,000 from the competitive grants? The ceiling request amount for the competitive grants is limited to $2,000. Organizations are welcome to apply for the impact grants, secure matching grants and submit sponsorship requests in addition to applying for the competitive grants to meet their funding needs.

Will it help my application if I reach out to a Monarch Employee or Board Member? No - applications are evaluated by a predefined process. Contacting Monarch Mountain employees or Board Members is not appropriate.