Colorado Local Grants

The City of Boulder's Human Services Fund (HSF) is an annual grant program designed to improve the well-being of community members facing social or economic disparities. The fund is sourced from the city's general fund and aims to strategically invest resources in programs and services that promote shared outcomes aligned with the city's mission of fostering a more equitable and supportive community. The HSF targets individuals and groups experiencing systemic socio-economic barriers, those who have been historically excluded, and those in need of basic assistance. The grant program's impact goals are to increase economic stability, mobility, and resilience; enhance access to and maintenance of housing; advance personal growth, development, and leadership potential; create safe environments for people with diverse identities; improve physical, mental, or behavioral health and well-being; and increase the ability of community members to access critical services. Key priorities for the HSF include supporting programs that demonstrate sound research and evidence-based best practices, value lived experience and cultural knowledge, and meaningfully engage community members in program design, implementation, and evaluation. The program also emphasizes strong collaboration and equitable partnerships, cost-effectiveness, and a commitment to sustained financial stability and diverse funding sources from applicants. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to the HSF. Programs must be directly linked to specific outcomes and indicators, with a strong focus on long-term evaluation. This aligns with the city's strategic priority to invest in initiatives that not only address immediate needs but also demonstrate a clear path towards lasting positive change and self-sufficiency for beneficiaries. The grant period for accepted proposals is January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and special districts in Adams County, Colorado, to enhance family stability and promote community development through essential services and innovative projects.

This grant provides matching funds to nonprofit and locally-owned newsrooms in Colorado to support their year-end fundraising campaigns, helping them raise awareness and financial support for public service journalism in their communities.

This program provides funding to individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and government entities in Telluride for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability within the community.

This grant provides funding for local artists, organizations, and nonprofits in Basalt to create public art projects or ongoing arts programs that enhance community engagement and cultural appreciation.

This program provides funding to commercial property owners and managers in Boulder to create affordable spaces for small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities, helping them thrive in the community.

This grant provides financial support to fire districts and departments in rural and mountain areas of Boulder County for equipment, infrastructure, and training improvements to enhance emergency services.

The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) is offering grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for a period of 3 years to non-profit organizations, HOAs, K-12 schools, and community-based organizations in Larimer County, Colorado, to fund projects that enhance natural landscapes, provide environmental education, improve access to nature, support local agricultural food production, or conduct research on county open spaces, with the application deadline set for October 11, 2024.

The City of Boulder's Human Relations Fund (HRF) offers grants between $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations and individual organizers for community-led projects that promote civil rights, human rights, or equity issues, foster diversity and inclusivity, and provide free, public events within Boulder, particularly benefiting marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity supports projects that preserve and promote the cultural heritage and natural resources of South Park, Colorado, encouraging applications from individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the community's historical landscape.

This grant provides funding to qualified organizations in Chaffee County, Colorado, for projects that improve forest health, support agricultural viability, and manage the impacts of outdoor recreation on local landscapes and watersheds.

The 2025 Small Grants Program, offered by Boulder County Parks & Open Space (BCPOS), provides funding for research and biological inventories on open space lands. The program aims to enhance resource management practices and improve visitor experiences through data-driven insights. Grants of up to $12,500 are available, with a proposal deadline of January 9, 2025. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by February 20, 2025, and final reports must be submitted by December 8, 2025, to ensure complete payment. BCPOS has identified priority research topics in areas such as Plant Ecology, Wildlife, Forestry and Fire, Education and Outreach, and Invasive Plants. These topics include projects such as assessing the impacts of invasive species, evaluating fire behavior in cheatgrass-dominated areas, and creating habitat connectivity models. Proposals are not limited to these areas, and researchers are encouraged to propose innovative projects aligned with the department’s mission. Proposals must follow a specific format and include sections such as an abstract, introduction, methods, budget, and researcher qualifications. Applications must not exceed six double-spaced pages (excluding cover pages, maps, and resumes) and should be submitted electronically via the Research on Open Space webpage. Researchers are advised to contact BCPOS staff to discuss their topics before submission. If a proposal is initially incomplete, researchers may resubmit once before the deadline. Eligibility is open to universities, government agencies, private organizations, and individuals, including students with faculty sponsorship. Research must occur on BCPOS properties or conservation easements, with prior landowner permission if required. Overhead costs cannot exceed 15%, and there is no requirement for matching funds. Grant recipients are expected to deliver detailed reports, including raw data and mapping products, formatted according to BCPOS guidelines. For interdisciplinary projects, collaboration with other local entities, such as the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, is encouraged. For more information or to discuss proposals, applicants can contact program coordinator Raquel Robles at rrobles@bouldercounty.gov.

This funding opportunity supports arts and culture projects in the Aurora Cultural Arts District to boost economic development and engage diverse audiences, welcoming applications from local organizations and individual artists.

The Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program (PSMRGP), funded by the Philip S. Miller Trust Fund, is dedicated to supporting social and human services within Castle Rock. This program aligns with its foundation's mission by addressing fundamental community needs through targeted grant funding. The Town of Castle Rock serves as the donor for this grant, demonstrating a local commitment to enhancing the well-being of its residents. The program's primary beneficiaries are organizations that provide essential necessities of life to the community. The impact goal is to ensure that these vital services, specifically water, energy, food, and shelter assistance, are accessible to those in need. The grant seeks to strengthen the capacity of qualifying organizations to deliver these critical resources, thereby fostering a more stable and supportive environment in Castle Rock. The PSMRGP prioritizes funding requests that directly address at least one of the listed necessities: water, energy, food, or shelter assistance. While the grant duration is not specified, the funding information indicates that the Town has budgeted $45,000 for up to five organizations this year. This strategic allocation aims to distribute resources effectively among multiple organizations, maximizing the program's reach and impact within the community. Eligibility for the grant is restricted to organizations that have been approved and operating for a minimum of five years, pursuant to the terms of the Internal Revenue Code as either 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) entities. This criterion ensures that funding is directed towards established, legitimate organizations with a proven track record of service. The expected outcome is a sustained and enhanced provision of crucial social and human services, contributing to the overall welfare and resilience of Castle Rock.

The Cross-Sector Impact Grant, offered by the City of Fort Collins, provides funding between $2,000 and $7,500 for projects that integrate arts and culture with other sectors to enhance community well-being, and is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that can host events within Fort Collins or its associated areas.

This program provides funding for projects that reduce emissions and enhance sustainability in San Miguel, San Juan, and Ouray counties, targeting individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations.

The Historic Preservation Board’s Building Restoration Grant, offered by the City of Lafayette, Colorado, provides crucial financial support for the repair and restoration of buildings aged 50 years or older. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to preserve and celebrate Lafayette's historical architectural heritage, ensuring the longevity and aesthetic appeal of its older structures. The grant program directly supports the strategic priority of maintaining the city's unique historical character and promoting community pride in its past. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are owners of commercial buildings, houses, churches, and outbuildings within Lafayette city limits that are at least 50 years old. The program aims to encourage the preservation of these structures, with impact goals centered on preventing deterioration, enhancing historical aesthetics, and extending the lifespan of these significant buildings. By supporting both structural and cosmetic projects, the grant ensures a comprehensive approach to historical preservation. The grant prioritizes projects that demonstrate longevity, focusing on repairs that will significantly extend the building's lifespan. It also emphasizes appearance, encouraging the use of historic materials where applicable to maintain architectural integrity. Furthermore, the program encourages the use of Lafayette-based contractors or DIY efforts, fostering local economic activity and community engagement. Urgency of need is also a key consideration, along with thorough research on the property's history, which aligns with a broader theory of change that sees informed preservation efforts leading to more impactful and sustainable outcomes. Expected outcomes include a visible improvement in the condition and historical accuracy of older buildings throughout Lafayette. Measurable results will be assessed through the number of successful restoration projects completed, the extent of structural and cosmetic improvements, and the documented use of historical materials. The grant, offering between $1,000 and $10,000, with grants up to $3,000 to support preservation, aims to contribute to a vibrant historical landscape, reinforcing the city's strategic priority of cultural preservation and enriching the lives of its residents.

The City of Boulder Health Equity Fund (HEF) Request for Proposals (RFP) is designed to support community-based health equity programs for Boulder residents experiencing health disparities. The fund aims to reduce systemic socio-economic and health barriers, aligning with the city's mission to achieve health equity—defined as the absence of systematic health disparities and the ability of all residents to reach their full health potential regardless of life circumstances. This initiative directly supports health and wellness programs that address these disparities. The target beneficiaries of the HEF include residents disproportionately impacted by diseases linked to sugar-sweetened beverage consumption or targeted by SSB marketing, those lacking access to healthy food, safe water, quality health care, wellness information, and health care services, and populations systemically disenfranchised due to race, ethnicity, income, age, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identification. The primary impact goal is to improve health equity and reduce health disparities within these vulnerable communities. The HEF prioritizes programs that benefit individuals most affected by or at increased risk from chronic diseases linked to sugary drink consumption, or who generally experience health disparities. Key focuses include health services for prevention of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and oral diseases, increased access to healthy food and clean water, wellness programs, and physical fitness. The program also emphasizes leadership diversity reflective of client demographics, alignment with program priorities, evidence-based practices, and valuing lived experience and cultural knowledge. Expected outcomes and measurable results include long-term evaluation of outcomes, meaningful engagement of community members in program design and implementation, strong collaborations, cost-effectiveness, and demonstrated financial stability and diverse funding sources for applying agencies. The City of Boulder's strategic priority is to fund programs that directly address health inequities and contribute to a community where all residents can achieve their full health potential. The underlying theory of change is that by investing in targeted, community-based health and wellness programs, the city can systematically dismantle health barriers and create a more equitable health landscape for its residents.

The Town of Avon Community Grant Program aims to support non-profit organizations offering programs and services across various critical areas, including arts, culture, education, environment, health, heritage, housing, human services, and recreation. This program is designed to provide financial assistance for initiatives that benefit the Avon community, particularly those not directly offered by the municipal government. The overarching mission is to enhance community well-being and address identified local needs through strategic partnerships with local non-profits. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents and businesses within the Avon community. The Town of Avon has specifically identified housing, food insecurity, and childcare as the top three pressing needs to be addressed through the 2025 Community Grant Program funding. The impact goals are centered on improving the quality of life, increasing access to essential services, and fostering a vibrant, supportive community environment. The program's strategic priorities are clearly focused on these critical areas: housing, food insecurity, and childcare. While the program broadly supports a range of community services, special emphasis is placed on projects that directly address these core needs. The intent is to channel resources towards initiatives that can demonstrate tangible benefits and contribute to the town's strategic vision for community development and social welfare. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in housing instability, improved food security for vulnerable populations, and enhanced access to affordable and quality childcare services within Avon. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the program implicitly seeks to improve overall community health and resilience. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by financially supporting qualified non-profit organizations, the Town of Avon can effectively leverage external expertise and resources to meet community needs that might otherwise go unaddressed, thereby fostering a more equitable and thriving local environment.

The Town of Frisco offers a yearly grant program to support local non-profits within Summit County. This program aligns with the Town's strategic objectives, focusing on a thriving economy, quality core services, vibrant culture, arts, and recreational opportunities, and community inclusivity. Non-profits seeking support can apply through this county-wide grant program, demonstrating an alignment with the Town's vision, mission, and values. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are non-profit organizations operating within Frisco and Summit County, ultimately aiming to positively impact the communities they serve. The grant seeks to fund initiatives that contribute to a flourishing local environment across various sectors. The program prioritizes initiatives that promote sustainability and demonstrate significant positive impacts on the Frisco and Summit County communities. Additionally, applicants are required to showcase sound fiscal practices and planning, along with a description of past grant awards from Frisco, including the use of funds and/or services previously awarded. Expected outcomes include enhanced community well-being, increased cultural and recreational opportunities, a more inclusive community, and a stronger local economy. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond "significant and positive impacts," the requirements suggest an emphasis on tangible contributions to the strategic objectives of the Town of Frisco. Cash requests for this grant may not exceed $5,000, with a total grant size ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.