(Lander, WY) – In response to community concern over limited summer programming due to COVID-19, the LOR Foundation is providing grants for up to $1,500 each to help fill the gap. These Lander Summer Spark grants are open to individuals and organizations who are interested in creating educational and recreational summer activities that benefit people of all ages.
“It’s not only kids who look forward to summer—we know that summer activities are essential to everyone in Lander,” says LOR program officer Michelle Escudero. “And this year, with COVID-19 still impacting the community, this funding provides an opportunity to spark new ideas.”
Open to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and public institutions (like schools and libraries), the grants can be used to offset the costs associated with running a public educational or recreational activity for the Lander community. The grants range from up to $350 for one-or two-day activities, up to $1,000 for three- to 10-day activities, and up to $1,500 for longer activities.
The process to submit an idea is simple: Interested individuals and organizations can visit the Lander Summer Spark page and pitch an activity via the online form. LOR will be accepting ideas from February 25 through March 11 and will notify grant recipients on March 18.
Activities must be open to the public and listed in the Lander Parks and Recreation summer activities catalog (due April 1st). If an individual is not associated with an organization, they can contact the Lander Parks and Recreation office or Central Wyoming College Lander Community Enrichment, as both of these organizations are looking for summer programs and can assist with marketing and registration.
“With this funding available, community members can shape the scope of enriching activities for youth, adults, and seniors,” Escudero says. “The Summer Spark is a chance for Lander residents to share their talents with others and activate the entire community.”
About the LOR Foundation: LOR works with rural communities in the Mountain West to enhance livability and prosperity while preserving the character that makes each community unique.