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.
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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 the 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 held as a component fund of the Western Colorado Community Foundation. Earnings from this fund are granted as match funding for projects that meet the goals of the Fund.
Team
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.
Tom approaches then-Eagle River Watershed Council (now Eagle River Coalition) executive director Holly Loff regarding his interest in exploring the initiation of a fund which might protect local water resources. The nonprofit 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 Eagle River Coalition-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 Coalition.
2024
The Eagle River Fund begins impacting local rivers by contributing match funding to two pilot projects in 2024. 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
Fundraising efforts continue and the year ends with the Fund having raised nearly $2.4 million in commitments toward its $5 million goal from 40 donors.
Grant application materials are developed and application review processes refined by collaboration with Trout Unlimited Colorado Operations Manager Nancy Johnston-Bramlett, and Pilot Project #3 is shared with the Board of Directors for funding consideration.
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In mid-December, the Technical Advisory Committee convenes for its inaugural meeting in preparation for its first competitive application review process in 2026.
2026
The Board of Directors kicks off 2026 with an announcement regarding its support of its third pilot project. The application, submitted by Trout Unlimited National Chapter, with several partners at the local level, was approved and supports a project focused on studies that aim to protect a popular angling reach on the Eagle River in Gypsum, threatened by habitat degradation and water temperature concerns.
The Fund opens its first competitive grant cycle in early February. The Technical Advisory Committee will evaluate submissions and make recommendations to the Board of Directors, and awards will be announced in the spring.
