By all objective measures, 2023 was our most successful year yet. We increased participation at our Sunday markets and in our Local Food Share program. We increased distribution to food access programs, getting healthy food where needs are highest.

MFP’s $500 grant helped to host a community event that involved past and present dancers from our community.

MFP funding helped to bring speaker Rob Prince, a former professor of International Studies from University of Denver and current expert and lecturer on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict to Raton, New Mexico to inform and educate on the Gaza/Israeli Conflict. This grant was submitted by grassroots activists who wanted to learn and educate about the tragedies unfolding in Israel, the Gaza strip, and beyond.

The Big Little Mentorship Program was developed by Nederland's very own Youth Leadership Academy. It is a mentorship program in which Nederland high schoolers mentor an elementary schooler. The program is designed to help build positive relationships in our community across youth with an emphasis on helping to ease the nerves of transitioning 4th and 5th graders heading to NMSHS.

MFP is partnering with the Nederland Community Library to sponsor two Nederland area student teens so that they can participate in an exchange program with the Netherlands.

TSM Reopening Phase One began January 8 and goes through April 30, 2024. MFP granted $1,995 to this effort, and continues to fiscally sponsor the TSM Phase One Reorganization project through December 31, 2024.

The $2,275 MFP grant to Magnolia Forest Group for recreation management aims to hold the US Forest Service (USFS) accountable for how they manage our public lands.

Joan wrote that these funds have “made our dreams come true. l and my children do not even know which words to use to express our thanks and appreciation to MFP and our wonderful donors.”

The Nederland Food Pantry plays a pivotal role in our community by addressing food insecurity and providing essential support to those in need.

Mountain For for Peace funded a $1,500 grant so that Ned Gymmies can offer a scholarship fund to allow students to participate for free or reduced tuition based on need and to try and keep our participation costs low for families.

Nederland-based Spinning Silica offered a four-week course over the summer where children learned and experienced the healing power of clay. Skills included hand-building, glazing and finalizing. With MFP funding, Spinning Silica was able to award a scholarship each month to one child.

MFP funded supplies for Rise Against Hunger, a Peak to Peak food-packing event sponsored by the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church and hosted at Teens, Inc.

The grant funded a free to the public screening of the ecological film There Will Be Some Who Will Not Fear Even That Void with filmmaker Saeed Taji Farouky, who attended the screening in person to introduce his film and host a post-film discussion. Saeed was a featured artist at the 2023 Mimesis Documentary Festival in Boulder.

The Mountain Forum for Peace fiscally sponsored Joan Gono’s orphanage in N’Zérékoré, Guinea, to facilitate $25,000 in anonymous donations for much needed improvements and operating costs.

The Mountain Forum for Peace funded a screening of Colorado Short Films at the Backdoor Theatre in Nederland.