Colorado Private Grants

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance watershed resilience, grasslands, sagebrush rangelands, and big game habitats across Colorado, targeting non-profits, local governments, and educational institutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Colorado nonprofit organizations and schools to create accessible arts education projects for historically marginalized youth, fostering collaboration with professional artists and addressing community needs.

This grant provides financial support to arts and culture organizations in the Denver area that are facing economic challenges due to recent federal policy changes, particularly those serving marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Denver Metro area that focus on improving animal health through medical treatment and care initiatives.

The Colorado Gives Foundation is offering the Convenient Neighborhoods Grant Program, a funding opportunity designed to bolster community spaces in Jefferson County, Colorado. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance the health and well-being of all Jefferson County residents by ensuring easy access to essential amenities. These amenities include parks, transportation hubs, farmers markets, and recreation centers, with a particular emphasis on fostering easy and safe access to public transportation, bike-friendly routes, and accessible paths. The foundation's strategic priority is to help Jefferson County thrive by supporting organizations committed to serving its residents and demonstrating measurable impact within the county. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Jefferson County, with a focus on increasing their access to public transportation, improving neighborhood mobility, and expanding outdoor green spaces. The program aims to achieve several impact goals: increasing access and enrollment in public transportation benefits, advocating for policies that facilitate public transportation access and neighborhood mobility, and developing and preserving outdoor green spaces and community gathering places. These goals reflect the foundation's theory of change, which posits that improved access to these resources will lead to better overall health and well-being for the community. The grant program prioritizes organizations that are advancing work in specific areas. These include supporting efforts to increase access and enrollment in public transportation benefits, advocating for policies to enhance public transportation access, improve neighborhood mobility, and increase outdoor green spaces. Additionally, the program supports initiatives to develop and preserve outdoor green spaces, such as parks and open areas, and community gathering places like integrated community hubs and recreation centers. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number of Jefferson County residents served, a higher percentage of organizational budget applied to Jeffco-specific programs, and the implementation of concrete programs directly focused on Jeffco populations. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or operating under fiscal sponsorship and must demonstrate a clear commitment to serving Jefferson County residents. The grant offers typical funding between $5,000 and $25,000 per year, for a project period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026, with a grant duration of two years.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund offers grants up to $25,000 for collaborative rural community projects in selected states and counties, prioritizing initiatives that involve diverse community participation, demonstrate local support, and aim for positive change within 18 months.

The Colorado Media Project is offering a grant of $1,000 to $10,000 to smaller, Colorado-based local news organizations for producing high-quality, nonpartisan investigative or accountability journalism, with a focus on raising public awareness about critical issues facing the state and catalyzing positive change in the institutions and communities.

Grant Opportunity: Colorado Springs Health Foundation Capacity-Building Funding Funder: Colorado Springs Health Foundation Award Details: The capacity-building funding opportunity offered by the Colorado Springs Health Foundation is designed to support organizations addressing health and well-being in El Paso and Teller Counties, Colorado. The mini-grants available through this program have a maximum amount of $5,000. The funding can be used for various capacity-building activities such as strategic planning, evaluation, board development, staff training, communication consulting, equity and inclusion coaching, and technology upgrades. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and grant award decisions are expected within one month of submission. Eligibility: Nonprofit organizations, startups, researchers, local governments, small businesses, and other types of organizations operating in El Paso and/or Teller Counties in Colorado are eligible to apply for the capacity-building funding opportunity. Applicants must ensure that their projects align with one of the five funding focus areas identified by the foundation. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible for this grant. Grant Opportunity: Colorado Springs Health Foundation General Operating, Program/Project or Capital Funding Funder: Colorado Springs Health Foundation Award Details: The general operating, program/project or capital funding opportunity provided by the Colorado Springs Health Foundation supports initiatives that align with their mission and four funding focus areas. These areas include expanding access to healthcare for those in need; preventing suicide; preventing or healing trauma; and cultivating healthy environments in underserved communities through efforts such as promoting physical activity, increasing access to healthy food, and providing affordable housing. Grant sizes vary significantly depending on the project's scope and budget. Multiyear grants are considered for new approaches to community needs but not for ongoing operations or capital requests. Eligibility: Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations (501(c)3), organizations operating under fiscal agency of a tax-exempt organization, and tax-supported entities like schools or local/state governments. The applicant organizations must serve El Paso and/or Teller Counties in Colorado.

The Caring for Denver Foundation is offering the "Alternatives to Jail" grant, aligning with its mission to address mental health and substance misuse conditions, particularly in relation to the criminal legal system. This initiative seeks to prevent unnecessary interactions with law enforcement, provide support within jail or prison systems, and offer culturally responsive community-based services for those impacted by the criminal legal system. The program is a direct manifestation of the Foundation's strategic priorities, aiming to foster a healthier and more supportive environment for Denver residents by reducing the reliance on incarceration for individuals with these conditions. The grant targets Denver residents, including those physically residing full-time in the city, individuals experiencing homelessness within the city, minors in the custody of Denver Human Services, minors in the primary legal and residency custody of a City resident, and non-City residents placed in mental health/substance abuse programs within a City Jail. The overarching impact goal is to improve mental health and substance misuse outcomes, reduce criminal legal system involvement for these populations, and enhance access to appropriate care and support. The foundation seeks to achieve measurable results through projects that demonstrate improved access to care, increased feelings of understanding and respect in care settings, and smoother transitions between care phases, ultimately leading to greater stability and reduced recidivism. The Foundation prioritizes projects that address Denver's mental health and substance misuse challenges across three key areas: Inclusive Access, Attention to Fit, and Care Over Time. Inclusive Access focuses on making care and support accessible in ways that are convenient, comfortable, and tailored to individual schedules, promoting participation and skill-building. Attention to Fit emphasizes culturally designed and matched care options, ensuring individuals feel understood and respected, and also supports the mental health of care providers. Care Over Time aims to improve care transitions, minimize disruptions, and increase stability, especially during critical periods like re-entry into the community from the criminal legal system. These focus areas reflect the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that by improving access, cultural relevance, and continuity of care, individuals will experience better outcomes and reduced entanglement with the criminal legal system. The total funding available for this grant area is $14.4 million, with a minimum of $4.8 million allocated to City and County of Denver agencies. Applicants, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (or those fiscally sponsored by one), Indian or Native American entities, and government-supported entities, are encouraged to consider the total available amount when making their requests. The Foundation will evaluate grant budgets for reasonableness and consider prior grant history in allocation decisions. By strategically distributing these funds to eligible organizations and agencies, the Caring for Denver Foundation expects to see a significant positive impact on mental health and substance misuse challenges within the Denver community, contributing to a more equitable and supportive environment for all residents.

This program provides $10,000 grants to small businesses in the U.S. that promote women's advancement and gender equity through their products, services, or initiatives.

This program provides financial support to volunteer fire departments in communities served by Black Hills Energy for purchasing essential firefighting equipment and safety gear.

Grant Opportunity: StableStrides - PPTRC Funder: Colorado Springs Health Foundation Grant Deadline: None. Applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Award Details: Funding for organizational capacity-building or technical assistance projects. Eligibility: Applicant organizations must meet CSHF eligibility criteria and work in one of the Foundation's funding focus areas. Current funded partners, organizations with pending applications, and non-funded partners are eligible to apply. Grant Opportunity: Springs Rescue Mission Funder: Colorado Springs Health Foundation Grant Guidelines: - Eligible organizations include tax-exempt entities, those operating under fiscal agency of a tax-exempt organization, and tax-supported entities. - Must serve El Paso and/or Teller Counties, Colorado. - Grant requests must align with CSHF's mission and funding focus areas. - Various types of grants considered (general operating, program, capital, capacity-building/technical assistance). - Grant size varies significantly; preference given to requests not seeking sole or majority funding. Other Relevant Information: - CSHF has identified four funding focus areas: expand access to healthcare for those in need, prevent suicide, prevent or heal trauma, cultivate healthy environments in high-need communities. - Most grants are for one year; multiyear requests considered for new approaches addressing community needs. - Two grant cycles per year (Winter/Spring and Summer/Fall) with specific deadlines for each cycle. - Emergency funding requests may be considered in exceptional circumstances. - Grant application information may be subject to release under the Colorado Open Records Act. For more information or to schedule a conversation about your proposal, contact Cari or Jamie at info@cshf.net.

This grant provides $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in the Denver area to support transformative projects that enhance economic opportunity, health, or social services for local residents.

The Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) at Borealis Philanthropy is actively seeking applications from organizations dedicated to advancing disability inclusion, rights, and justice. This grant program is deeply aligned with Borealis Philanthropy's broader mission to foster a more vibrant, just, and joyful world for people with disabilities. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in intersectional cross-movements and collaborative efforts, supporting initiatives ranging from arts and culture to policy and advocacy that dismantle ableism and promote authentic representation of disabled people. The primary beneficiaries of DIF grants are organizations whose work is driven by and accountable to the disability justice movement, with a particular emphasis on those most impacted by injustice and exclusion. This includes disabled people with multiple and intersecting social and political identities, such as race, gender identity, class, and sexual orientation. The fund prioritizes organizations led by disabled people, specifically Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), queer, gender non-conforming, and women with disabilities, where over 50% of the leadership (management staff, advisory committees, or governing boards) identify as disabled. DIF's core focuses include promoting radical inclusion by removing barriers and ensuring access, valuing lived experience, and emphasizing the leadership of those most impacted. The program also fosters cross-movement solidarity, encouraging collaboration and bridge-building among disability justice activists and across various social movements like Black lives, climate change, immigration rights, labor rights, racial justice, and queer and trans liberation. This approach reflects a theory of change that believes systemic change occurs through interconnected movements and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Expected outcomes include strengthening grassroots disabled-led organizations, expanding their operational capacities for ongoing movement building, and driving narrative change that dismantles ableism in policy, society, and culture. Measurable results will stem from work that moves practices of disability inclusion and justice forward through community organizing, mutual aid, advocacy, and policy work, as well as strategies that celebrate and elevate the authentic representation of disabled people in arts, media, and literature. This two-year grant opportunity provides $75,000 per year, totaling $150,000, for eligible U.S.-based or U.S. territory-based 501(c)3 organizations or fiscally sponsored entities with an annual budget under $1 million.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve habitats and migration routes for big game species in the western U.S., targeting conservation organizations, state and tribal agencies, and community groups involved in wildlife management.

This grant provides funding to Colorado nonprofits and schools to enhance access to arts education for historically marginalized youth through collaborative projects with professional artists.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community-based programs that help individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, access culturally relevant recovery services.

The Colorado Gives Foundation is offering its Food Security Grant Program to support initiatives that improve food access for residents of Jefferson County (Jeffco), Colorado. This program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to help Jefferson County thrive by ensuring the availability of local, healthy, and culturally relevant food. The grant aims to address food insecurity by funding community partners dedicated to enhancing food access and promoting a healthier, more equitable food system within the county. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Jeffco residents facing food insecurity. The program targets organizations that can demonstrate a clear impact on these residents, either through the number of individuals served, the percentage of their budget allocated to Jeffco-specific programs, or concrete initiatives focused on Jeffco populations. The overarching impact goal is to increase access to nutritious food, thereby improving the health and well-being of the community. The grant prioritizes several key areas. These include supporting organizations that increase enrollment in public assistance programs like SNAP and WIC, expanding food availability through programs such as Double Up Food Bucks to enhance purchasing power, and piloting new concepts in Jeffco. Additionally, the program focuses on fostering collaboration between local food producers and pantries to develop systematic approaches for increasing access to local, culturally relevant, and nutritious food. Advocacy efforts in local, regional, and statewide public policy to boost food access in Jeffco are also a significant priority. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in food access for Jeffco residents, improved utilization of public assistance programs, and a more robust local food system. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in community partners who are advancing these critical areas, with a typical grant funding range of $5,000-$25,000 per year, though the overall grant size can range from $10,000 to $100,000 for a one-year duration. The grant period is set from October 1, 2024, to March 30, 2025, allowing funded organizations to implement and demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs in addressing food security.

The Rose Community Foundation is offering a grant opportunity focused on supporting nonprofit organizations engaged in equity-focused policy and advocacy work within the Greater Denver region. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement in local communities, particularly those furthest from opportunity. The foundation seeks to fund a diverse array of organizations working at both state and local levels, pursuing various short- or long-term policy objectives across a broad spectrum of issues. This grant cycle specifically aims to strengthen the dynamic ecosystem of organizations that leverage policy and advocacy to create equitable conditions for local communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are nonprofit organizations—both 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s—or fiscally sponsored projects serving the seven-county Greater Denver region (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties), or those advancing statewide policy efforts that directly benefit this catchment area. The impact goals are centered on supporting policy efforts that address systemic inequities, representing a wide range of approaches, perspectives, and populations served. The foundation's strategic priority is to empower organizations that actively work to create conditions for equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement for communities facing significant barriers. The program prioritizes organizations whose work directly involves policy and advocacy. While general operating support will be the most common form of funding to provide maximum flexibility, program or project support is available for organizations whose primary focus isn't policy and advocacy but are pursuing policy-specific initiatives. Organizations conducting national or multi-state work must apply for program funding, ensuring grant dollars are exclusively allocated to local or statewide activities within the specified region. Additionally, organizations applying on behalf of a coalition or 501(c)(4) organizations must also apply for program funding to differentiate from partisan or candidate work. Expected outcomes include a strengthened and more effective network of organizations advocating for equitable policies in the Greater Denver area. The foundation anticipates supporting diverse policy efforts that lead to tangible improvements in conditions for communities furthest from opportunity. Measurable results will likely involve the number and type of policy initiatives supported, the reach and impact of advocacy efforts, and the ability of funded organizations to effectively engage in policy work. Organizations receiving program or project support will be required to report direct and grassroots lobbying expenses, as applicable, contributing to the measurable outcomes and accountability of the grant program.