Denver, CO 5/28/18 – The Denver Post Community Foundation is proud to award $25,000 in charitable grants to five nonprofit organizations in the communities hosting the 33rdannual Denver Post Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour. A grant of $5,000 will be presented in each of the five towns along the route to an agency that supports recreation and/or youth education, with priority given to programs that increase access for low-income participants and incorporate cycling safety and bicycle use.
The Colorado communities receiving grants and serving as Host Towns for the 2018 Ride The Rockies are: Breckenridge, Edwards, Steamboat Springs, Grand Lake, and Winter Park. Checks will be presented to the selected nonprofit organizations as the Tour travels through each community between June 10 and June 15.
“For over three decades, Ride The Rockies host towns have embraced our cyclists and volunteers,” said Deirdre Moynihan, Tour Director. “This grant program is our unique way to broaden our charitable reach across Colorado while recognizing an outstanding nonprofit in each of these communities.”
The Host Towns provide valuable resources in order to make the Tour run smoothly. They offer lodging, food, transportation, entertainment and volunteers to support the riders during the event. In addition to the financial impact the riders, themselves, have while in town, the grant program allows The Denver Post Community Foundation and Ride The Rockies to thank the Host Towns by providing additional financial support that will impact the communities long after the last cyclist departs.
“Awarding a $5,000 check to a deserving nonprofit in each Host Town is one of the best parts of our jobs,” says Bill Almquist, Community Relations Manager. “So many fantastic organizations support their respective communities, and we’re thrilled to help them continue the great work they provide locally.”
Since its inception in 2001 and including this year’s grants, the Denver Post Community Foundation grant program has distributed over $610,000 to Host Towns. The selection process is competitive and recipients are recommended to The Denver Post Community Foundation Board of Directors by an Advisory Committee that reviews each application.
Learn about the 2018 recipients below:
Breckenridge—The Cycle Effect:
The Cycle Effect’s mission is to empower young women through mountain biking to achieve brighter futures and build stronger communities. The Cycle Effect removes financial barriers to make mountain biking accessible for 5th-12th grade girls in Eagle and Summit Counties, with a focus on those who would not have the resources to participate in the sport otherwise or who could benefit greatly from the physical, emotional and mental benefits of mountain biking. Using a mountain bike as a vehicle, participants develop fitness, confidence, and life skills such as goal setting and grit that can be transferred and applied to their lives and future goals. The Cycle Effect supports the development and future success of each participant, setting them up to graduate high school, pursue higher education and see their aspirations become reality. For more information: thecycleeffect.org
The Cycle Effect’s mission is to empower young women through mountain biking to achieve brighter futures and build stronger communities. The Cycle Effect removes financial barriers to make mountain biking accessible for 5th-12th grade girls in Eagle and Summit Counties, with a focus on those who would not have the resources to participate in the sport otherwise or who could benefit greatly from the physical, emotional and mental benefits of mountain biking. Using a mountain bike as a vehicle, participants develop fitness, confidence, and life skills such as goal setting and grit that can be transferred and applied to their lives and future goals. The Cycle Effect supports the development and future success of each participant, setting them up to graduate high school, pursue higher education and see their aspirations become reality. For more information: thecycleeffect.org
Edwards—SOS Outreach
Founded in 1993 in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, SOS Outreach (SOS) is a multi-state organization that delivers long term life-skills development to underserved and at-risk youth ages 9-18, providing value to the communities in which they operate. Utilizing a progressive curriculum with each year’s activities building on those previous, SOS programs are unique in their incorporation of outdoor adventure sports as a vehicle to provide a values-based leadership curriculum. SOS combines positive adult mentorship, leadership training, and community service to promote positive decision making, self-worth, academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, and a sense of belonging for underserved youth. For more information: sosoutreach.org
Founded in 1993 in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, SOS Outreach (SOS) is a multi-state organization that delivers long term life-skills development to underserved and at-risk youth ages 9-18, providing value to the communities in which they operate. Utilizing a progressive curriculum with each year’s activities building on those previous, SOS programs are unique in their incorporation of outdoor adventure sports as a vehicle to provide a values-based leadership curriculum. SOS combines positive adult mentorship, leadership training, and community service to promote positive decision making, self-worth, academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, and a sense of belonging for underserved youth. For more information: sosoutreach.org
Steamboat Springs—Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS)
Based in Steamboat Springs, (STARS) provides affordable, year round life changing experiences through adaptive recreational programs and camps for those with disabilities. STARS serves youth and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, autism, injured Veterans and their families. For more information: steamboatstars.org
Based in Steamboat Springs, (STARS) provides affordable, year round life changing experiences through adaptive recreational programs and camps for those with disabilities. STARS serves youth and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, autism, injured Veterans and their families. For more information: steamboatstars.org
Grand Lake—Headwaters Trails Alliance (HTA)
Headwaters Trails Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advocacy of trails in Grand County, Colorado. Their mission is to identify, maintain and expand an accessible, interconnecting trail system for appropriate multi-user recreational groups. Their goals include collaborating on local, state and national levels to bring funding and other resources to Grand County for the benefit of their local trail system that links towns and recreational areas for both transportation and recreational purposes. They also strive to help preserve the region’s natural resources and ecological values through promoting sustainability and stewardship. For more information: headwaterstrails.org
Winter Park—Mountain Family Center
Mountain Family Center’s mission is Building strength and developing self-reliance through responsive and collaborative services for individuals and families living in Grand County.” Their vision is “to connect individuals and families to available resources, programs and services helping to alleviate hunger and poverty.” Their programs include: three Grand County Food Pantry locations; Children’s Food Totes Program; Backpack School Supply Program; Health & Nutritional Wellness Programs for children and adults; Financial Assistance for Hearing, Vision and Dental for Seniors and Individuals with a Disability; Family Case Development Work; Utility and Housing Assistanc; Holiday Programs in November and December; Thrift Store and Clothing Closet; and Financial Support Services for Cancer related expenses. Mountain Family Center serves just over 2000 individuals each year in Grand County. For more information: mountainfamilycenter.org
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(photos available upon request)
The Denver Post Community Foundation (DPCF) works to improve and enrich the lives of those in our community through support of programs that benefit arts and culture; children and youth; education and literacy; and the provision of basic human services.
Ride The Rockies is a signature event of DPCF. For more than 32 years, this event annually hosts over 2,000 registered cyclists on a 6-7 day bicycle tour through the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Riders stay in local communities along the route and are treated to fantastic hospitality, meals, and entertainment along the way.
Media Contact:
Name: Bill Almquist
Title: Community Relations Manager
Phone: (303) 954-6702
Email address: balmquist@denverpost.com