Equity-Focused Leadership Grants

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, a private philanthropic organization based in Denver, Colorado, is committed to fostering a thriving, equitable, and culturally vibrant community by investing in arts, culture, and leadership initiatives. Through its Equity-Focused Leadership Grants, the foundation seeks to advance inclusive leadership development across the social sector. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that elevate leaders from historically underrepresented communities, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ individuals, and adults with disabilities. The foundation’s broader mission centers on strengthening civic infrastructure and ensuring that leadership reflects the diversity of the communities served. The primary purpose of the Equity-Focused Leadership Grants is to provide unrestricted funding of up to 20000 dollars to organizations that are actively cultivating inclusive leadership pipelines. These grants are designed to empower organizations that deliver leadership development programming rooted in community experience and social impact. Funding is flexible and may be used for general operating expenses or programmatic support, allowing organizations to allocate resources where they are most needed to sustain and expand their leadership initiatives. The emphasis on unrestricted funding reflects the foundation’s trust-based approach to philanthropy and its recognition of the importance of organizational autonomy. Eligible applicants must meet several clearly defined criteria. Organizations must be recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits or operate under a fiscal sponsorship arrangement, and they must have an annual operating budget under 2 million dollars. Additionally, applicants must have at least two years of experience providing leadership programming for adults aged 18 and older. Geographic eligibility is limited to organizations based in Colorado, specifically those operating primarily within Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, or Jefferson counties. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to incorporating the lived experiences and perspectives of historically marginalized communities into their programming. Certain types of programs are explicitly excluded from eligibility. These include college or university-supported initiatives, youth development programs serving individuals under the age of 18, programs with a religious affiliation or purpose, and scholarships awarded to individuals. These exclusions reinforce the program’s focus on community-based, adult leadership development within the nonprofit sector. Additionally, organizations may only receive one unrestricted operating or project grant from the foundation within a 12-month period, ensuring equitable distribution of resources among applicants. The application process is open to all eligible organizations and does not require a formal letter of intent or pre-application submission. Applications are submitted during a defined window, opening on July 30, 2026, and closing on August 28, 2026, at 5:00 PM Mountain Time. Proposals are reviewed and evaluated by a community panel, which assesses applications based on their alignment with the program’s goals and their potential to foster inclusive leadership. While there is no mandatory final report requirement, grantees are offered the opportunity to participate in an optional virtual check-in in 2027 to share progress and insights. Applicants are encouraged to contact foundation staff for questions or accessibility support. The primary contact listed is Chrissy Deal, who can be reached via email or phone, with additional support available from Monique Loseke. The foundation also provides guidance regarding the use of artificial intelligence in application preparation, emphasizing that while AI tools may assist with drafting, authentic voice and lived experience should remain central to the submission. Awards are expected to be announced in October 2026 following the review process. Although the grant appears to be offered annually based on structured timelines, explicit recurrence details are not formally stated. The program reflects the foundation’s ongoing commitment to equity-driven leadership development and its investment in organizations that are shaping a more inclusive and representative social sector in the Denver metropolitan area.

Emphasize authentic voice and lived experience in leadership programming and avoid overreliance on AI tools