Scholarships

1. Business Status

• Must be located in Durango or La Plata County.
• Must meet one of the following:
  • Opened within the past 12 months, or
  • Can demonstrate financial hardship (e.g., revenue loss, disaster-related impact, major business interruption).

2. Business Size and Type

• Must have fewer than 25 employees.
• Open to all sectors: retail, service, nonprofit, and professional services.

​​3. Commitment to Chamber Engagement
Applicants must show intent to actively participate in Chamber offerings, including:

• Attending at least 4 Chamber events per year (e.g., Business After Hours, Mornings at El Moro).
• Participating in at least one professional development workshop.
• Engaging with Chamber media (e.g., directory listing, social media features).

4. Financial Need

Must submit a brief explanation of the financial hardship or startup-related costs that justify scholarship need.

1. Required Materials 

• Completed application form. 
• Proof of business status (e.g., EIN or tax ID).
• A 250–500 word statement outlining:
  • How the Chamber membership will benefit the business. 
  • Specific plans for using membership benefits to support growth. 
  • ​Commitment to community involvement. 

2. Review Process 

• Applications are reviewed quarterly by the Chamber’s Membership Committee.
• Selection is based on:
  • Demonstrated financial need. 
  • Growth potential and community contribution. 
  • Willingness to engage in Chamber programming. 

3. Award Details 

• Recipients receive a 1-year Build Partner membership (valued at $575). 
• Renewal for a second year will be considered if engagement benchmarks are met. 

Recipients are asked to submit a short report at the end of year one summarizing:

• How Chamber events, programs, and resources were utilized.
• Tangible outcomes for the business (growth, partnerships, visibility).
• Challenges faced and future engagement plans.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with review cycles conducted quarterly.