About
The Eagle River Fund
Vision
The Eagle River Fund provides secure funding for river projects in the Eagle River Watershed for generations to come.
The Eagle River Fund has grown from an idea of Tom and Margie Gart to a fund envisioned to reach and exceed $5 million, thanks to the collaborative work and support of multiple stakeholders and organizations.
The Nature Conservancy and Yampa River Fund have provided guidance in the Eagle River Fund development process and continue to be a sounding board.
The Eagle River Fund is overseen by a board of directors, with technical support by the Technical Advisory Committee, operationally managed by staff at the Eagle River Coalition (formerly Eagle River Watershed Council), and fiscally managed by Western Colorado Community Foundation. Earnings from this fund are granted out to eligible organizations for projects that meet the goals of the Fund.
History
2019
Local residents of the Eagle River Valley Tom and Margie Gart become inspired by the work of The Nature Conservancy in helping to launch the Yampa River Fund.
Early 2020
Tom approaches then-ERWC executive director Holly Loff regarding his interest in exploring the initiation of a fund which might protect local water resources. ERWC is identified as the organization to oversee and manage the process due to mission alignment and its infrastructure and role as the local science-based river protection organization.
2020 - 2022
Despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the concept makes progress. Thanks to support from the Garts, contractor Kate Berg completes a feasibility study. The feasibility study involves 40+ stakeholders who had already been identified in the ERWC-coordinated Eagle River Community Water Plan development process. Following three large-group meetings and numerous committee meetings, the feasibility study results in the recommendation that the Eagle River Fund process continues into the creation phase, with the intention of launching a fund to support local river projects.
Fall 2023
Tom and Margie Gart launch the Eagle River Fund as a fund managed and housed at Western Colorado Community Foundation and operationally managed by the Eagle River Watershed Council (ERWC). Funds would be made available by grant processes to eligible groups doing work to benefit local waterways.
2024
The Eagle River Fund begins impacting local rivers by contributing gap funding to two projects. Funding was approved to support the completion of the Eagle River Community Water Plan, a critical guidance tool for decisionmakers in Eagle County. Additionally, Phase 1 of the Riverwalk Water Wise Demonstration Project received support to leverage additional sources of funding and replace 5,650 square feet of Kentucky Bluegrass with 20+ native vegetation species. Reducing outdoor water use in the area by 75%, the project inspires similar action on a broader scale.
2025
The Eagle River Fund Board of Directors will announce its first competitive grant cycle. Fundraising will continue, with opportunities for community members to get involved, whether as donors, volunteers, or committee members. Please email Melanie Smith, Eagle River Fund Operations Manager to learn more.