Worthy Cause Program

The Boulder County Worthy Cause program is a long-standing local funding initiative designed to support nonprofit human service agencies through capital investment grants. Originally approved by voters in 2000 and extended multiple times, including a 15-year extension in 2017, the program is funded through a dedicated 0.05 percent county sales tax. The initiative reflects Boulder County’s commitment to strengthening community infrastructure by enabling nonprofit organizations to expand, improve, or sustain facilities that deliver essential services. The program has distributed tens of millions of dollars since inception, supporting a wide range of community needs including housing, human services, and childcare. The primary purpose of the Worthy Cause funding opportunity is to provide capital funding for nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable populations within Boulder County. Eligible projects include the purchase of land or buildings, new construction, facility renovations, and debt reduction tied to capital improvements. The funding is not intended for general operating expenses but instead focuses on long-term infrastructure that enhances service delivery capacity. The program prioritizes projects that address critical community needs such as affordable housing, childcare access, and essential human services, ensuring that funded investments produce lasting community benefits. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit human service agencies, specifically those that are recognized as 501(c)(3) organizations and operate within Boulder County. Applicants must demonstrate that they provide essential safety net services to vulnerable populations. Additionally, projects must meet a matching requirement, where recipients contribute at least 50 percent of the total project cost. In practice, many projects exceed this minimum match due to high demand and limited available funds. This requirement ensures shared investment and strengthens the financial viability of funded projects. Applications for the Worthy Cause funding are submitted through an online system managed by Boulder County. For the 2027 funding cycle, applicants must complete and submit all required materials by 4:00 p.m. on August 5, 2026. The application must be complete at the time of submission, as late or incomplete applications are not considered. Applicants are encouraged to participate in a structured pre-submission process that includes submitting questions through a Q&A form and attending an informational meeting. These steps help clarify requirements and improve application quality but do not function as formal gating requirements. The program includes a defined timeline for engagement and submission. For the 2027 cycle, questions must be submitted by July 13, 2026, and a virtual information session is scheduled for July 16, 2026. Applications open prior to these dates and remain available until the August deadline. While the program operates annually through a competitive grant process, each funding round is tied to available sales tax revenue, which can vary year to year. Historically, the county has awarded funding to approximately 60 percent of applicants, with an average annual distribution of around 4 million dollars in recent cycles. Evaluation of applications is based on alignment with program goals, demonstrated community need, project feasibility, and the applicant’s capacity to execute the proposed project. Projects that show strong collaboration, clear impact, and readiness for implementation are more competitive. The program also emphasizes equitable distribution of funds across sectors such as housing, human services, and childcare, reflecting identified community priorities. For additional information or technical assistance, applicants may contact Boulder County staff directly via email. The primary contact for the program is Carlene Okiyama, who supports applicants throughout the process. The program is recurring on an annual basis, with future cycles expected to follow a similar summer application timeline. The next anticipated cycle after 2027 is expected in mid-2027, maintaining the program’s ongoing commitment to capital investment in community-serving nonprofit infrastructure.

Ensure project is capital-focused and shovel-ready; demonstrate strong community need and matching funds; submit complete application before deadline