The nonprofit Village Thrift Shop has donated a record $265,566 to 24 Estes Valley organizations for its final round of grants after closing the store at the end of February.
Since its founding in 2016, Village Thrift has distributed a grand total of $1,764,303 in proceeds to other nonprofits in the community.
“Last year we were really, really busy,” said co-founder and board member Randy Maharry. “That probably resulted in our record income, but it also resulted in us deciding to close the shop.”
Village Thrift announced it would close earlier this year due to a lack of younger volunteers. It posted the full list of grant awards on its website and Facebook page this week.
Major grant recipients for 2026 include Estes Park Salud Clinic Foundation, EVICS Family Resource Center, Estes Park Education Foundation, and American Legion Post 119.
Funding for the education foundation will support numerous projects and programs at the Estes Park School District, such as a third grade project-based regional history unit, fifth grade camp, and upgrading the band room sound system.
Maharry noted two organizations that were awarded grants for the first time. Flinch Forward, a service organization that helps first responders and veterans, received funding for community service events and emergency assistance. A new organization, Estes Dementia Day Center, received funding to support people with dementia and their caregivers.
Crossroads Assistance Ministry, which purchased the thrift store at 1138 Manford Ave. and plans to reopen in May under the name Good Neighbor Thrift, was a frequent grant recipient over the years. This year it received funding for “caring for neighbors in need” and bilingual books.
The list of final recipients and projects includes:
- EVICS Family Resource Center
- Family Support & Mental Health Access Program
- Oratorio Society of Estes Park
- Upgrade Music Folios for Orchestra
- Estes Park Salud Foundation
- Patient Financial Assistance Program
- Pet Association of Estes Park
- Crystal Welle Memorial Spay/Neuter Clinic
- Estes Park Senior Citizens Center
- New Front Door, Coffee Pots, Vacuum, Display Rack
- Crossroads Assistance Ministry
- Caring for Neighbors in Need & Bilingual Books
- Estes Park Quota Foundation
- Loan Closet Equipment Replacement
- League of Women Voters of Estes Park
- Estes Recycles Day 2026
- EP Post 119 Charitable Foundation
- Replace Old, Unsafe and Deteriorating Flooring
- Larimer County Partners, Inc.
- Annual Program Costs
- Empowerment Through Attire
- PBIS Team Grant
- Mentor/Mentee Program
- We Need New Bees
- Estes Park Education Foundation
- Balance Equipment for EP Elementary School
- Math Stackers & Magnets
- 3rd Grade Project-Based Regional History Unit
- Free Birthday Books
- 5th Grade Camp
- Band Room Sound System Upgrade
- Learning and Growing Starters & Seeds
- Estes Valley Amateur Radio Club
- Student Education & Amateur Radio Emergency Service
- Estes Park Club Sports
- 2026 Team Funding and Scholarship Support
- Estes Valley Crisis Advocates
- Energy Conservation & Treatments
- Ballet Renaissance
- Dance Attire and Shoes
- Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department
- Replacement ATV
- The Old Gallery
- Food Pantry Support
- Estes Dementia Day Center
- Support for People w/ Dementia & Their Caregivers
- Flinch Forward
- Community Service Events and Emergency Assistance
- EP Museum Friends and Foundation
- Permanent Exhibition Project Supplies
- Historic Stanley Home Foundation
- Outdoor Safety Improvements
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County
- EP Out-of-School Programming Supplies
- Estes Valley Community Garden
- Community Garden Preservation Project
- Estes Art District
- Community Public Art Initiative