Through our donor supported competitive grantmaking fund, generous contributors like you can see their charitable gifts at work everyday in our community. Grants in Action recognizes the significant impact of notable grant awards and how they are strengthening the Jackson Hole community.  Thank you for making Jackson Hole a better place:

Grand Teton National Park Foundation

Grand Teton National Park Youth Conservation Program

$10,000                               

People need to have a connection to nature in order to want to protect it.  As urban expansion encroaches on our lands, the number of American children exposed to wilderness is rapidly decreasing.  In the first two pilot years, twenty-seven participants (predominantly local youth) have developed a connection with nature, leadership, character, a solid work ethic, career and life skills  through the Youth Conservation Program.  Grand Teton National Park has received nearly 12,000 hours of work from this program since its inception.  More than one-third of this work provided trail maintenance in high-traffic areas. The pilot program received a $100,000 gift to cover operation expenses, and the 2007 season was funded with gifts from private donors.  A grant from the Community Foundation will support efforts to expand and diversify a base of supporters to continue programs such as the Youth Conservation Program in Grand Teton National Park.  The grantee intends to ensure permanent funding for the Youth Conservation Program through a planned giving program that will generate a $15 million endowment within the next five to ten years. (2008)

The Learning Center

Vision Screening Camera

$13,705                                           

When vision impairment goes undiagnosed in young children the results can be significant, preventing the child from reaching appropriate developmental milestones or even significantly impacting lifelong learning.  To ensure that any vision problems are caught early, The Learning Center conducts vision screenings as part of their developmental screening program.  This screening program is offered at no cost to every child, birth through age five in our community.  In order to provide the highest level of vision screening possible, the Learning Center is purchasing  a new Sure Sight autorefractor and training its staff to use the new machine.  A grant from the Community Foundation will provide higher-level vision screenings for over 375 Teton County children every year. (2008)

Senior Center of Jackson Hole

The Green House / Phase I Planning

$10,000                                           

Advocates for the elderly, with strong support from the health care community, are developing a new approach to eldercare.  This approach moves away from institutionalized care (as provided in nursing homes and assisted living facilities) toward a more home-like alternative.  The institutionalized system of care for the aging in our country has evolved over the years based on faulty assumptions. These assumptions too readily dismiss the capacities of older adults to remain active and social, maintain some level of independence and contribute to their own well being.   With the nation's population of seniors expected to double over the next quarter century, this issue will be more and more pressing in every community.   A grant from the Community Foundation will result in 1-3 Green House homes in Teton County, offering a choice for as many as 30 elders and serving as a pilot project for the community and for the State of Wyoming. (2008)

Community Resource Center           

Social Security Specialist Program

$11,200

The Community Resource Center provides support to local human service organizations as they struggle with the scarcity of Social Security resources.   Individuals in our community who are disabled through injury, illness or mental health issues are repeatedly denied disability benefits.  Complex and constantly changing Social Security rules, regulations and procedures make the application process so complicated that unless applicants have assistance while completing their applications, it is likely that claims for benefits will be denied. This project will use grant funds for the startup, training and first year salary and operating costs of establishing the Social Security Specialist Program. (2007)

Grand Teton Association

Miller House Restoration

$18,700

The Grand Teton National History Association requests support for their efforts to make the Miller Ranch available as an interpretive center.  The Jackson community does not have a living history site where demonstrations are regularly held.  The Miller House presents a special opportunity, with its rich history, pristine setting and location close to the Town of Jackson.  This project will preserve and restore the Miller House in a way suitable for education and interpretation. (2007)

Teton County School District #1

Jackson Elementary School Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDS) Design and Certification Project                                                                        $25,000

Teton County School District #1 is working hard to create a high performance school that will provide an excellent learning environment while preserving our natural resources.  Jackson Elementary School currently presents several conditions that negatively impact teaching and learning.  This project will hire a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)  consultant to provide a sustainable plan to build a high performance/LEED certified elementary school. (2007)