Leadville, CO
Climax Molybdenum is pleased to announce that $300,400 was awarded to 13 nonprofits by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation as part of the 2019 Climax-Area Community Investment Fund process.
The nonprofit organizations from Lake, Summit, Chaffee and Eagle counties received their monetary awards in March and will be recognized by members of the Community Investment Committee during visits to each recipient organization this spring.
“Working in collaboration with a range of committed community partners, we’re continuing to focus on empowering citizens through opportunities to acquire a broad range of skills, education and leadership in order to foster community resilience and transformation that leads to sustainability,” said Tracy Bame, President, FreeportMcMoRan Foundation. “Things like vocational skills and educational attainment not only lead to healthier, higher standards of living but also are transferable beyond mining into other areas of the economy, while broader leadership abilities support resilience and self-governance that enable thriving communities post-mining.”
The Climax-Area CIF was established in 2011 to focus on programs and projects that help create sustainability and reduce dependency on any single industry. Eligible programs and projects include those in the areas of education, community and economic development, environmental stewardship as well as health and wellness.
A committee comprised of community leaders, representing diverse organizations, and two Freeport-McMoRan representatives governs the Fund. The community leaders were selected by members of the Climax-Area Community Partnership Panel, a stakeholder engagement process established by Freeport-McMoRan in 2008 to foster open and ongoing dialogue with the community, allowing the company and the community to work together to develop thoughtful solutions that address community needs. Community Investment Funds were established to give leaders in communities where the company operates the opportunity to direct funds from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation to address local priority issues.
Since starting in 2011, the Climax-Area Community Investment Fund has invested over $3.3 million in locally identified projects affecting positive change in the community priority areas identified by CPP members.
The 2019 grant recipients are:
Chaffee Housing Trust
Permanent Affordability Home Ownership Project – $44,400
The Chaffee Housing Trust uses the Community Land Trust Model of shared equity ownership to create a sustainable inventory of permanently affordable homes for low-income workforce members and their families. The project will add four homes for low-income families, sustainably holding those homes in trust for the benefit of current and future generations as well as the community and the local economy.
Cloud City Wheelers
Cloud City Wheelers Trail Crew $33,500
Funds will support the creation and maintenance of a new trail system in the eastern area of the Turquoise Lake Trails Plan. The project will add an additional 11.2 miles of trail in Lake County. This new infrastructure will promote smart use of the forest and encourage visitors to use established facilities. Discouraging users from creating trails without appropriate approval will protect valuable public lands.
Lake County Community Foundation
“We Love Leadville” Tribute Landmark and Park Revitalization – $ 38,500
Funds support the fabrication and installation of a “10,200’ – Highest City in North America” art installation honoring Leadville’s status as the Highest City in North America and the revitalization of Tritz Park (formerly Triangle Park). The project celebrates local identity and community pride while also creating a destination landmark in Lake County.
National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum
Matchless Mine Hoist House Rehabilitation – $29,000
More than a century of heavy snow has caused the hoist house at the Matchless Mine to lean and sag, putting it at risk of collapse. Stabilization of the structure will provide a significant opportunity to educate the public about the importance of historic preservation and increase Lake County tourism through the maintenance of local history exhibits at the museum.
Lake County School District
Advancing Academics through Afterschool – $35,000
Through collaborative partnerships with other out-of-school programs in the community, Project Dream will build a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) pathway program for grades K-12. The program will include an afterschool intervention structure and focus on increasing parental involvement in academics. Makerspaces, Destination Imagination and exposure to STEM-career professionals and businesses will be essential aspects of programming to build students’ 21st century skills.
The Cycle Effect
Summit County Girls Mountain Bike Program – $10,000
Funding will increase the program’s capacity to support Latina girls’ participation by hiring two bilingual staff members. The program helps participants develop healthy habits, lending to increased school readiness, matriculation and graduation rates.
Volunteer for Outdoor Colorado
People Power on our Public Lands: Investing in Sustained Volunteerism – $20,000
Support for six critical projects will lead to positive short and long-term environmental stewardship outcomes in the four-county Climax region. Additionally, Outdoor Stewardship Institute’s curriculum will be adapted into easily accessible and highly effective online formats increasing the access and impact of well-organized volunteer efforts.
Chaffee County Search and Rescue-North
CCSAR – N Unmanned Aerial System – $25,000
The addition of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS or Drone) with high-resolution visual and thermal imaging will allow rescuers to more effectively and efficiently perform search and rescue efforts. This will result in quicker location of subjects, more rapid transport to a medical facility and reduced safety risks for team members, as searchers physically will not need to cover dangerous terrain.
Colorado Farm to Table
Lake, Chaffee and Summit County Food Support – $15,000
Funding assistance will help reach the goal of growing 25,000 pounds or more of fresh produce at no cost to Lake, Chaffee and Summit counties in order to supplement smaller food banks, pantries and soup kitchens.
Eagle River Youth Coalition
Eagle River Valley Elementary Prevention Education – $18,000
Prevention education for critical social and emotional development to support overall health and development has been identified as a high need for Eagle County elementary school students. To maximize resources and build community capacity, funding will help train 20 elementary teachers in evidence-based prevention curricula with materials, coaching, evaluation and technical assistance.
Girls on the Run of the Grand Valley
Sustaining Summit & Beyond – $10,000
Support will help maintain low registration fees and readily available scholarships to ensure all girls in third through eighth grades throughout Summit, Eagle, Lake and Chaffee counties have access to and can be empowered by healthy physical, social and emotional habits.
Our Community Foundation
Mobile Intercultural Resource Alliance – $10,000
The Mobile Intercultural Resource Alliance (MIRA) serves vulnerable community members with increased access to health care. By collaborating with local health-care providers and traveling to isolated communities in Eagle County, MIRA offers programs and services directly to neighborhoods, workplaces, and community gatherings in a trusted and culturally relevant manner.
St. Vincent Hospital Foundation
St. Vincent Hospital Replacement Radios – $12,000
The purchase of 16 new Motorola radios supports communication and coordination among health-care providers, which is essential for timely and coordinated emergency response efforts, hospital and ambulance-based emergency communications, and public safety in Lake County.
For more information about Freeport-McMoRan community investments and programs, go to FreeportInMyCommunity.com or contact Nell Wareham, Climax Mine Community Development staff member.
Media Contact:
Linda S. Hayes
(602) 366-7824