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Elevate announces six Foundation for the Future Youth Grant recipients
Saturday, August 12, 2023 – Today, Elevate Internet announced the recipients of its Foundations for the Future Youth Grant, funneling $60,000 into six local non-profit organizations that are positively impacting the quality of life for children within Montrose and Delta counties.
"Our communities have shown unwavering support for our efforts to build a fiber-optic network that brings high-speed internet to the area – a much-needed essential utility that sets the stage for a successful future. It's a privilege to pay that support forward and give back to agencies that are also building better futures," said Jack Johnston, President of Elevate Internet (and CEO of parent company, DMEA).
The Elevate Foundation for the Future Grant recipients are as follows:
Arts for All in support of Young Producers in Harmony, which gives participants the opportunity to explore the world of music production, including sound engineering, music recording, post-production, cover art, and liner notes – all culminating in a professional album the students perform and produce themselves.
Solar Energy International in support of Solar in High Schools Career Pathways, which provides immersive and hands-on solar electric design and installation training for students and teachers in Montrose, Olathe, Delta, Cedaredge, and North Fork High Schools.
Grand Mesa Arts and Event Center in support of its summer youth engagement programs, including STEAM Camp, Student Outreach Repertory Theater performances for Cedaredge Elementary, Songwriting camp, and Theater camp.
Montrose Regional Library District in support of its interactive family-centered programs that bring children and parents together for activities, such as whodunit mysteries, film design, and screenwriting. In addition, MRLD will host award-winning author Shannon Hale for a session on how young people can become published authors.
Montrose Recreation District in support of expanding the district’s After School Program to middle-school-aged students, including transportation and after school activities and enrichment, with additional support for income-qualified families.
HopeWest in support of School Grief Groups in both Montrose and Delta County schools, which provide professional, youth-centered grief counseling to students free of charge.
“Today, it might be hard for most consumers to understand why 6 Gig internet matters. But advanced speeds at this level completely disrupt the way service providers have typically operated, which is to wait until their network is antiquated and speeds are too slow before investing in upgrades for the future. Not Elevate!" stressed Johnston.
"We promised our communities that we would never settle for just fast enough, and someday, much sooner than we all think, speeds like 6 Gig and even 10 Gig will be the norm – we're already there."
Motivated by the goal of securing a prosperous future for residents in Montrose and Delta counties, Elevate established the Foundations for the Future Youth Grant to support other like-minded organizations. The grant opened in April of 2023 and garnered approximately 20 applications from non-profit organizations across Montrose and Delta counties. The applicants vied for one of six $10,000 awards and were required to demonstrate a direct impact on the quality of life for local youth, ages 18 and under, within the local communities.
The Montrose Community Foundation facilitated the grant program process with a five-person review committee.
