LOR Foundation: Grants for Mountain States-at-Large

OVERVIEW: The LOR Foundation supports community efforts in rural parts of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

FUNDING AREAS: Quality of life, environment, transportation, arts and culture, economic stability

IP TAKE: This funder is all about rural western communities, and despite its policy against unsolicited requests, LOR is always open to hearing new ideas.

PROFILE: Established in 2007, the LOR Foundation is a family foundation with locations in the following cities: Lander, Wyoming; Taos, New Mexico; Bozeman, Montana; Washington, D.C. Gary Wilmot serves as the foundation’s executive director, and LOR also has a team of five other staff members. The foundation aims to "provide expertise, make connections and support projects that allow towns to thrive.” It funds local efforts for quality of life, environment, transportation, arts and culture, economic stability and other community needs.

The LOR Foundation supports projects that make rural western communities more livable, and this commitment translates to a variety of grant interests. It is interested in sparking economic growth in rural communities in the Mountain West, as well as preserving natural resources and encouraging outdoor recreation. Recent foundation efforts include working with farmers and outdoor enthusiasts to build trails in the San Luis Valley of Colorado and building alliances to prepare for wildfires in Taos County of New Mexico.

Grants range between about $2,000 and $2 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on rural areas of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Past local grantees include the Taos Land Trust, Snake River Fund, Idaho Walk Bike Alliance and Dream Tree Project.

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. However, the LOR staff is open to nonprofit communications and always looking to grow its network at the local, regional and national levels. Direct general questions to the staff at info@lorfoundation.org or 307-699-5343.

PEOPLE:

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