We have the desire to inspire and strengthen community connections, stewardship, and well-being.

We will continue to roll out strategies as part of our movement. We’ve installed BE KIND street banners and a Be Kind mural at the Manitou Springs Swimming Pool along Manitou Ave in downtown Manitou Springs. Check them out!

The Manitou Springs Guide to Local Philanthropy: The Art and Science of Kindness will allow you to find out where your Time, Talent and Treasure can make the biggest impact right here, in Manitou Springs. To get your copy of the guide, click here.

We support Manni Neighborhood Connection parties which offer residents a chance to connect with neighbors, and foster a spirit of community. For more information contact Shanti Toll, shantitoll@hotmail.com or (719) 321-5354.

The Manni Awards recognizes individuals and organizations who have demonstrated the ability to engage, collaborate, connect, inspire and champion a community vision. Each year, community members nominate finalist with winners selected in 10 vision area categories.

A Sampling of Our Grant Projects…

manni neighborhood parties

MSCF is funding neighborhood block parties to encourage connections and collaborations on the street where you live. The goals of these Manni Neighborhood Connection parties are: Have fun and enjoy the day, get to know your neighbors and exchange contact information, talk about things that would improve your neighborhood and our town. Click here for more info.

Flying Pig Yurt Project

The Yurt at Flying Pig Farm provides a year round classroom for students to learn about land stewardship, fresh food cultivation, and the long human tradition of caring for our planet. During the summer, the yurt provides shade and shelter for art projects, seed sorting, and creative conversations, while in the winter, it serves as our kitchen, tea room, craft studio, and quiet reflection space. During seasonal festivals, it becomes a great music hall.

Learn More about Flying Pig Yurt Here

MANITOU MUSIC FOUNDATION

MSCF believes that bolstering the offering of live music in Manitou Springs will enhance the social vitality and strengthen community connections.  In the words of Leonard Bernstein, "Music can name the unnamable and communicate the unknowable".

Poetry Heals Summer Program

Poetry Heals provides therapeutic writing classes to many vulnerable populations, including institutionalized, LGBTQIA2+, and homeless youth, adults in addiction recovery and/or exiting homelessness, and low-income children. Every Wednesday afternoon in the summer, Poetry and Pottery appears in Soda Springs Park in Manitou Springs. Potters and writing mentors set up pottery wheels, a kiln, and tables full of writing materials for all to express themselves in art.

Learn More about Poetry Heals Here

MANITOU SPRINGS POLLINATOR FESTIVAL

Manitou Springs desired to be among those forward thinking cities that wanted to act locally to effect globally. By enhancing our natural environment, the belief was we could make Manitou Springs a more   “Pollinator friendly” city.  The creation of Manitou Springs Pollinator district was an outgrowth of work begun in 2018 by the Manitou Springs Pollinator Project.

Manni Awards

The Manni Awards were started by the Manitou Spring Community Foundation members over 11 years ago to  honor and acknowledge all the good community work done by our citizens.   But more, the Manni Awards celebration is a gathering of Manitoids to yearly re-connection and share.  It keeps alive the tradition of great community potluck dinners.

Check out Previous Winners Here
Watch Winner Receive Awards Here