Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety Tax Grant Program

The Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety Tax Grant Program is administered by the City of Boulder and funded through a dedicated 0.3 percent sales and use tax established to support citywide capital infrastructure needs. Originally authorized by voters in 2014 and subsequently extended multiple times, the tax was most recently renewed in 2025 to continue in perpetuity. A portion of the tax revenue, up to ten percent, is allocated to a competitive grant pool designed to support nonprofit organizations that serve the Boulder community. The program reflects the city’s long term commitment to ensuring that community serving organizations maintain a stable and visible physical presence within or near the city. The program operates through two primary funding tracks: Capital Project Funding and Capacity Building. The Capital Project Funding track is the focus of the current funding round and is intended to directly support nonprofit organizations undertaking capital projects. These projects may include purchasing property, constructing new facilities, or completing renovations and improvements that enable long term occupancy and service delivery. The Capacity Building track, which opens separately, is designed to help organizations prepare for such capital investments by strengthening governance, fundraising, leadership, and operational systems. Funding through the Capital Project track supports a range of project sizes and types, including small, medium, and large capital projects, as well as eligible debt reduction associated with recently completed projects. Funding levels vary based on project size and are structured as a percentage of total project cost, with smaller projects eligible for up to full funding and larger projects requiring greater leveraging of external funds. The program requires that grant funds typically serve as the final source of financing, meaning applicants must demonstrate that other funding sources have been secured before award disbursement. Restrictions apply to certain uses, including projects in city owned buildings, vehicle purchases, and reimbursement for fully completed projects. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that hold federal nonprofit status, are registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, and comply with applicable City of Boulder regulations. Applicants must demonstrate that they serve Boulder community members and maintain compliance with city requirements such as licensing, taxes, and prior grant obligations. Organizations using a fiscal sponsor are not eligible for Capital Project Funding. Additional requirements apply depending on project type, including timelines for securing additional funding and restrictions on debt reduction eligibility. Applications for the 2026 funding cycle are submitted through the Foundant Grant Management System. The amended application period opened on July 8, 2026 and closes on July 22, 2026 at 5 pm. The application must be completed in full and submitted by the deadline to be considered. Applicants may contact the city for assistance or translation support, and the city may request additional information during the review process. All submitted materials are subject to public disclosure under applicable records laws. The review process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by evaluation and scoring conducted by city staff, community professionals, and other stakeholders. Evaluation criteria include community benefit, equity and inclusion practices, financial stability, project feasibility, and alignment with city priorities. Final funding decisions are made by city leadership based on scoring and broader considerations. The anticipated timeline includes application review during August and September 2026, with award notifications expected in October 2026. Award recipients enter into multi year contractual agreements with the city, which may include legal instruments such as grant agreements, deeds of trust, and covenants depending on property ownership. Projects must proceed according to specified timelines, and organizations may request extensions if necessary. The program is expected to recur periodically as long as tax funding continues, although specific future timelines are not guaranteed and must be monitored by prospective applicants.

Ensure strong alignment with city priorities demonstrate financial readiness and secure other funding sources prior to applying emphasize community benefit and project feasibility