The Just for Kids Foundation accepts applications from organizations or individuals proposing to empower and/or enrich the lives of children in the San Miguel Watershed: the towns of Naturita, Norwood, Nucla, Paradox, Telluride and all points in between.

Grants

Granting Limits

ORGANIZATIONS

Each September, the Just for Kids Foundation will accept applications for up to $5,000 from public, private, and nonprofit organizations who are serving youth within the San Miguel Watershed.

INDIVIDUALS

Individual grants are awarded biannually to middle and high school age students who seek funding for personal enrichment or experiential learning. Maximum award is $500/person/year.

Process

Individual Grant applications for 2021 will be accepted in February and again in September. Organization Grant applications will be accepted in September.

Applications that are received after the deadline will not be accepted.  JFK will not award grants to projects or expenses that have occurred prior to application deadline. 

JFK Priorities & Criteria for Funding 

  • Projects that provide a high quality experience for children within the San Miguel Watershed

  • Projects that offer innovative solutions to existing challenges

  • Projects with measurable outcomes

  • Organizations / Individuals that demonstrate successful collaboration.

  • Organizations /Individuals (if previous JFK recipients) that have successfully used grants from JFK

  • Applications submitted by efficient, well-run organizations

  • Applications that are complete, submitted on time, and comply with all of the requested requirements

Interviews

All applicants are required to attend a 10-15 minute interview with the JFK Board of Directors. Spring interviews are held late March via zoom. Fall interviews will be held November 3 & 4 in either Telluride or Norwood or via zoom for your convenience.

 A representative will contact you to schedule your interview upon receipt of your application.

Follow Up Form

All recipients are required to complete and submit an on-line Follow-Up Form within one year of your funding or when applying for another grant (whichever comes first). If a Follow-Up Form is not submitted within one year of the original application, grant recipients will be requested to return funds. Repeat requests will not be considered without a Follow-Up Form. 

Applications

Please click below for the 2021 online application. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.

Scholarships

To honor our Founder, Bill Carstens, each spring we award the Man of La Mancha Scholarship. All graduating High School students WITH A DREAM who attend school (or are home-schooled) in the San Miguel Watershed are eligible to apply for scholarship money to be used for college/university or other institutes of higher learning. 

This is a merit based scholarship intended to support students so that they may be better able to focus on and stretch toward their dream; it is not a needs-based award. In the application, students will be asked for specific information regarding what and where he/she plans to study and to provide a narrative about his/her dream for the future. 

Man of La Mancha applications will be available each February.

FAQ

QUESTIONS?

Feel free to email our Just for Kids Program Director, Katie Geissler at: director@justforkidsfoundation.org.