On Friday, April 26, the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation distributed a total of $591,600 through its 2013 Climax Area Community Investment Fund to support 16 nonprofit organizations across Lake, Summit, Chaffee, and Eagle counties. The grant recipients were honored at a ceremony held at Colorado Mountain College’s Timberline Campus in Leadville, hosted by Climax’s Community Development Manager, Tara Hosick.
2013 Grant Recipients and Project Summaries
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Cloud City Conservation Center – $17,000
Will fund contractor training and home‐energy upgrades, plus community workshops and new audit equipment, to help Lake County residents reduce energy use, cost, and carbon emissions. -
Friends of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery – $27,000
Will construct a covered pavilion at the hatchery’s accessible picnic area, enhancing visitor amenities and stimulating local tourism-related revenue. -
Lake County Government – $32,000
Will partner with the City of Leadville to develop a new comprehensive plan, improving land‐use strategies and streamlining community services for long‐term growth. -
Lake County Intermediate School – $56,200
Will introduce the See the Change STEM curriculum to 6th–8th graders at Lake County Middle School to spark early interest in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. -
St. Vincent Hospital Foundation – $65,000
Will purchase digital mammography equipment, enabling local breast‐cancer screening services and boosting hospital revenue. -
High Country Conservation Center – $34,400
Will expand the Summit Cultivating Students of Agriculture program, teaching participants to grow local produce, develop leadership skills, and reduce food‐transport impacts. -
Blue River Watershed Group – $20,000
Will restore a segment of Tenmile Creek, recreating natural stream and floodplain features to improve water quality and recreational opportunities downstream. -
CASA of the Continental Divide – $50,000
Will support volunteer child‐advocates in the juvenile court system, promoting stability and well‐being for at‐risk youth. -
Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity – $75,000
Will build affordable homes, provide construction training, and bolster its internal mortgage and sustainability fund for ongoing program viability. -
Easter Seals Colorado – $10,000
Will underwrite Camp Summit’s inclusive summer camp, offering children with disabilities life‐skills development and family engagement opportunities. -
Frisco Elementary School – $25,000
Will launch “STEM Take‐Off,” creating a dedicated lab, teacher training, and industry partnerships to immerse elementary students in hands‐on science and math activities. -
Girl Scouts of Colorado – $10,000
Will expand day and overnight camps across three counties by collaborating with Keystone Science Camp to deliver STEM‐focused environmental education. -
National Forest Foundation – $25,000
Will facilitate a multi‐stakeholder visioning process for the Camp Hale/Eagle River Headwaters Restoration Project to enhance ecosystem health. -
Summit County Open Space and Trails – $30,000
Will fund the NEPA evaluation for extending the Fremont Pass Recpath, paving the way for new recreational trails and associated economic benefits. -
Summit County Library Foundation – $100,000
Will convert a historic Breckenridge schoolhouse into a modern library and community center, preserving a landmark while enriching local services. -
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado – $15,000
Will support Central Mountains Outdoor Stewardship Projects and the 2013 Youth Stewardship Summit, engaging residents and students in conservation efforts.
About the Community Investment Fund
Established in 2011 and overseen by a panel of local leaders, the Climax Area Community Investment Fund channels Freeport-McMoRan resources into projects that deliver sustainable benefits in education, economic development, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, civic engagement, and transportation.
“By empowering communities to lead their own initiatives, we foster lasting, positive change,” said Tracy Bame, President of the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation.
For more information on these grants or future funding rounds, contact Tara Hosick at Tara_Hosick@fmi.com or call 303-960-8048,
