In 2024, trustees of the Ballantine Family Fund donated $343,500 to nonprofit organizations in Southwest Colorado through a quarterly grant application process, as well as additional Core Value grants.
Last year marked 67 years of the Ballantine Family Fund’s support for organizations across a broad spectrum of sectors, including arts and culture, environment, animal protection, education, human services and youth.
The Family Fund gave $303,500 to 107 nonprofit organizations across Southwest Colorado through quarterly grant cycles. The average grant size was $2,836 – a 19% increase from 2023.
Trustees approved grants across all five counties encompassing Southwest Colorado, as well as locations outside Southwest Colorado with organizations that support the region. The counties served include Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan.
Literacy remained a key priority for the Ballantine Family Fund in 2024, reflecting its enduring commitment to fostering education and learning. The Ballantine family trustees awarded an unsolicited $40,000 in core value grants to support nonprofits focused on K-3 literacy initiatives. These grants awarded $10,000 to the Ignacio Community Library, Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library, Southwest La Plata Library District and Dolores Library District.
By sector, the Ballantine Family Fund awarded:
- Animal Protection – $10,500, representing 3% of giving totals
- Arts & Culture – $75,600, representing 25% of giving totals
- Education – $87,500, representing 29% of giving totals
- Environment – $15,000, representing 5% of giving totals
- Human Services – $72,400, representing 24% of giving totals
- Youth – $31,500, representing 10% of giving totals
- Other – $11,000, representing 4% of giving totals
By county, the Ballantine Family Fund awarded:
- Archuleta – $28,000, representing 9% of giving totals
- Dolores – $8,500, representing 3% of giving totals
- La Plata – $161,500, representing 53% of giving totals
- Montezuma – $79,000, representing 26% of giving totals
- San Juan – $11,000, representing 4% of giving totals
- Other – $15,500, representing 5% of giving totals
The Ballantine Family Fund was established in 1957 by Morley C. Ballantine and Arthur A. Ballantine Jr., former owners of The Durango Herald, to provide financial assistance to nonprofits that enhance the quality of life in Southwest Colorado.
Richard G. Ballantine is president of the fund and chairman of the board of Ballantine Communications Inc., the parent company of the Herald.
Trustees include Karen Sheek of Cortez, and more recently Ellen Roberts and Martha Minot of Durango.
Ballantine family members are Elizabeth Ballantine and Helen Ballantine Healy, Richard’s siblings, and members of the next generation, Christopher and David Ballantine. Additional third generation family members occasionally participate.
The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado acts as grant managers for the Ballantine Family Fund. The Community Foundation assists with nonprofit management and financial review.
“The Ballantine Family Fund trustees are invested in supporting the nonprofit sector in Southwest Colorado,” said Briggen Wrinkle, executive director of the Community Foundation, in a news release. “They recognize that nonprofits are the heartbeat of the community, making this a great place to live, work, and play.”
Nonprofits in Southwest Colorado interested in similar funding may submit grant applications at BallantineFamilyFund.com. A full listing of the 2024 grant recipients may also be found at the website.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
