Major Accomplishments

Since 1977, far sighted, generous people have been turning to the Community Foundation to make their philanthropic giving as effective as possible.

New Museum of Art

1989: The Foundation's Louise and MacIntosh Murchison Fund granted over $300,000 to the El Paso Museum of Art to clinch a real estate deal at the last minute on a Friday afternoon that enabled the purchase of the choice property where the Museum is now located.

Citizens Buy Vests for Police

1991. After a police officer was shot and killed while apprehending a car thief, the community rallied behind the police department. KTSM-TV spearheaded the campaign, and checks poured into the Foundation offices. Over $250,000 was raised to purchase bulletproof vests.

Community Response to HIV/AIDS

1994: In response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, a binational volunteer corps created the Border AIDS Partnership in conjunction with the Foundation. The volunteers have raised funds locally and matched them with grants from the National AIDS Fund and the Elton John Foundation. The group has also served as an advisory body to the Board of the Community Foundation, recommending grants to organizations in El Paso , Ciudad Juárez, and Dona Ana County, New Mexico.

Potable Water Comes to the Colonias

1996: The Foundation joined with the Pew Charitable Trusts and Dr. Charles Clements to address pressing public health hazards in colonias (poor rural neighborhoods) in Texas and New Mexico . The project, known as “Water Works,” has assisted these communities with self-help construction of water and wastewater systems and hook ups. WaterWorks has provided low interest community financing, community organizing assistance, and engineering and construction oversight.

Wyler Tramway Becomes Part of State Park

2001: The Foundation donated a large parcel of land and an aerial tramway used to service the KTSM television station transmitter on the top the Franklin Mountains to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The State purchased new tramcars and turned the area into a tourist attraction. The site is appropriately named the “Wyler Aerial Tramway” after Karl and Glyn Wyler, Sr., who originally willed the land to their Foundation.

Plaza Theatre is the "Showplace" again

2006: In 1987, the Foundation responded to community outcry and saved the Plaza Theatre from destruction. Twenty years later, this 1930 movie palace has been restored and adapted into a state-of-the-art performing arts center, due to the perserverance and commitment of the Foundation. The $40 million project was funded through a partnership among the El Paso Community Foundation and the City of El Paso. The Foundation was the major partner in this feat.

Would you like to see more examples of programs funded through Foundation grants? Visit our Recent Grants listing or read about specialized community projects .