Visit Durango opened its second round of Destination Advancement grants earlier this month after awarding $40,719 to four local organizations following the first round of grant applications.
The organizations awarded funding were Durango Trails, Lola’s Place, Manna Soup Kitchen and the Powerhouse.
Applicants for the second round of grant funding have until Nov. 30 to make their requests, according to a news release from Visit Durango. The tourism office recommends organizations cap their funding requests at $10,000.
Projects eligible for grant funds include those that address environmental sustainability and resilience; diversity, equity and inclusion; and experience and product development.
Visit Durango created its Destination Advancement Grant program to support tourism businesses, nonprofits and other organizations in Durango and La Plata County “that serve to better the visitor and resident experience while supporting local climate resiliency,” according to the tourism office.
For example, Manna Soup Kitchen applied for and was awarded funding for a culinary training program, which aims to give residents basic kitchen skills and provide students with resources to “fill in the gaps left by the closing of the cooking programs in their district,” the release says.
“The Destination Advancement Grant is a product of our ongoing commitment to destination management and supporting the local community, environment, and economy,” Visit Durango sustainability and policy manager Weylin Ryan said. “We were very impressed by the passion and innovation submitted by the first round of awardees, and we can’t wait to see how their projects progress.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
