Board approves $7,500 grant to Grace Village for community services center ADA work

WELLINGTON, Colo. ' The Board of Trustees voted Aug. 26 to award a $7,500 discretionary-fund grant to Grace Village to support ADA-related design and construction work for the nonprofit's planned community services center, which will house a food bank and community services. Donna Bisaki, representing Grace Village, told trustees the organization closed on property in April and has hired Blue Pine Construction to manage preliminary design and permitting. Bisaki said Grace Village has received a $200,000 grant from the Schueller Foundation and that an additional $100,000 from that foundation will be released as a match if the nonprofit raises the corresponding $100,000. She said the money would be applied to ADA design work and bathroom construction in the renovated facility. Trustees discussed whether to fund the full $10,000 Grace Village requested, give a smaller amount now and allow applications for additional funding later, and preserve money in the discretionary fund for other applicants. After discussion the board approved $7,500. Trustees noted the grant can be paired with the Schueller Foundation matching program and that the nonprofit expects to begin construction bidding next spring and may return with further requests if needed. The board also discussed grant timing and reporting requirements. Staff advised that the town's discretionary grants must be expended by Dec. 31, 2025 (for funds awarded in 2024/2025 cycles) and that recipients must report on expenditures within 60 days of spending. Grace Village said it can apply the funds to architect/engineering work and that it will continue fundraising for construction.