Community Foundation of Elko County

The Community Foundation of Elko County has announced its 2021 grant awards. This year’s funding priorities placed special emphasis on organizations working to promote behavioral and mental health resiliency. Special consideration was given to organizations that have implemented evidence-based programming. 

A total of $58,898 was granted to seven different organizations and is designated as follows: 

$2,000 to Communities in Schools of Northeastern Nevada for Northeast Nevada Tele-Counseling Program to provide mental health support through tele-counseling, one-on-one and small group support, basic need services, and social-emotional learning in the schools served throughout Elko County. “The program allows students access to mental health services that would otherwise be unavailable to them,” Laura Meyer, Senior Director of Grants, Programs and Equity said. “By using a secure Zoom platform, this program is offered during the school day, so students do not need transportation to or from their appointments.”

$6,000 to Nevada Health Centers for the Elko County Mental and Behavioral Health Resource Guide to develop a comprehensive Mental and Behavioral Health resource guide to strengthen the connection between Elko County residents and knowledge of available supportive services. Nevada Health Centers will deploy a broadband effort, bringing behavioral health stakeholders together to contribute to a community wide resource guide, complete with both print and digital access options to increase accessibility “The goal of this project is to bring community awareness and collective action to Elko County concerning mental and behavioral health needs,” Vice President and Executive Director Whittley Walker said. “The project will strengthen local and professional networks to support those struggling with mental health and suicidality.” 

$6,168 to Northeast Nevada SAFE for Communication Technology, such as iPads for direct communication for the elderly with family, friends, advocates, guardians, and attorneys. With the pandemic limiting in-person visits, the technology will allow visits to happen as often as necessary to aid in the mental well-being of the elderly, help with identifying abuse, addressing loneliness and isolation, and assessing overall health and happiness. According to Executive Director Jalaine Stanton, “SAFE is requesting funding for communication technology to aid in the isolation and mental health crisis that our elders are still facing due to the pandemic. Our elders are suffering immensely from loneliness, heartache, abuse, and exploitation.”

$15,000 to RSVP for the Seniors Helping Seniors Program to help continue the lifesaving independent living programs to assist seniors and vulnerable persons including the homebound and frail elderly, veterans, caregivers, and adults with disabilities. The programs help increase access to health care and other essential services, goods, and resources that help meet basic needs and improve quality of life. “Many RSVP clients and care recipients have no family supports and lack the funds to pay for private care services,” Chief Executive Officer Molly Walt explained. “Our no-cost volunteer delivered services give additional help and resources to help them maintain their independence with dignity.”

$20,000 to Jackpot Helping Hands for the Suicide Prevention Action Plan to fund a facilitator and materials to provide a multifaceted approach to suicide prevention, as Jackpot’s demographics show a statistical high risk. The program includes risk identification and mitigation, and community education engagement using an approach described by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. “Building community support is vital to a successful suicide prevention strategy,” Director Theresa Dimmitt said. “Our primary gauge of successfully engaging the community will be participation in our community classes and meet-ups. Shifting public opinion regarding mental illness is an important objective for this program.”

$3,500 to Boys and Girls Club Elko County for the Smart Moves Program to help promote healthy mental and behavioral health among the youth within the community. With the rise in suicide in today’s youth, the Smart Moves program helps to teach youth how to properly manager healthy decision-making attitudes and skills. “This does not only benefit the community but also the people that live in our community,” Business Manager Nicole Jackon said. “Happy, healthy, and productive children will make our community a better place for families to live and grow.”

$6,230 to PACE for Mental Health First Aid Trainings and Awareness to build mental health literacy and awareness, and help the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. PACE will use evidence-based trainings and partner with current providers to build awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts. “Funding has been diverted from these types of activities and trainings and there is a great need for them currently,” Executive Director Laura Oslund said. “PACE will use evidence-based trainings and partner with current providers to build awareness and reduce stigma associated with mental health issues and suicidal ideation.”

The Community Foundation of Elko County is an endowed affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada and a permanent charitable resource for Elko County communities. Gifts of any size are combined and invested to generate income that will benefit the community annually. For more information on the CFEC activities and Builders' Club, visit: nevadafund.org/elko-county.

Nonprofit Contact Information

• Boys and Girls Club of Elko: Nichole Jackson, development@bgcelko.org, 775-738-2759   
• Communities in Schools Nevada: Laura Meyer, lauram@cisnevada.org, 702-550-3799 
• Nevada Health Centers: Whittley Walker, wwalker@nvhealthcenters.org, 773-677-5215
• Jackpot’s Helping Hands: Theresa Dimmitt, helpinghands@townofjackpot.com, 775-451-1802
• PACE Coalition: Laura Oslund, laura@pacecoalition.org, 775-777-3451
• Nevada Rural Counties RSVP Program: Molly Walt, mwalt@nvrsvp.com, 775-6874680
• Northeastern Nevada SAFE: Jalaine Stanton, nenvsafe@gmail.com, 775-778-1626

Community Foundation of Elko County Grant Awards Totaled $24,000 in 2020

September 9, 2020 – The Community Foundation of Elko County (CFEC) distributed $24,000 in August. The 2020 grant cycle emphasized Coronavirus (COVID-19) relief and recovery efforts to support nonprofits that serve the most vulnerable in Elko County. Though the CFEC will not hold its annual public grant ceremony, the Board is no less proud and excited to be aiding such worthy nonprofits in our area.

Annual grants by the Community Foundation of Elko County have significantly increased from the first grants four years ago, which totaled $1,000. “The growing annual grants are made possible by generous contributors to the CFEC, in particular, an anonymous donor and the CFEC Builders’ Club, a group of businesses and families who have contributed to the endowment fund,” said Teri Gage, Chair of the CFEC Advisory Committee.

See Grants