Sustainability Grant Program

The City of Englewood, Colorado offers a Sustainability Grant Program to support local efforts that align with the city’s vision of long-term environmental stewardship and community well-being. With sustainability defined as the responsible management of resources for the benefit of both current and future generations, this grant is a mechanism for community-driven action. Projects supported by the grant must have a lasting, positive impact on sustainability in Englewood. Funding is intended to enable a wide variety of initiatives across environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability, reinforcing Englewood’s commitment to building resilient, inclusive systems. The grant program invites applications from individuals, community groups, and businesses, offering up to $1,000 per project for Englewood-based sustainability initiatives. Proposed projects should be located within city limits and must demonstrate a tangible benefit to the public. The most competitive projects are expected to engage community members in sustainability efforts and address needs in under-resourced areas. Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with at least one of the city’s designated sustainability focus areas: water protection, built environment and infrastructure, natural environment, climate action, economic resilience, energy, and waste and recycling. A variety of project types are eligible, ranging from community composters and clean-up events to educational field trips and climate adaptation demonstrations. The application process begins with the completion and submission of two key documents: the Grant Budget Form and the Application Form, both of which must be submitted together. Applications open on March 2 and close on April 30. If additional funds are available after the deadline, the application window may be reopened, with proposals reviewed on a rolling basis. The grant requires a detailed timeline showing that the project will be completed by December 31. Award notifications will be issued within a month of submission. Notably, funds are provided up front and are not taxable, provided they are used in accordance with approved expenses such as materials or equipment. Inappropriate use or lack of documentation may lead to tax liability. To ensure compliance and impact, the City of Englewood outlines several restrictions. Grants cannot be used for private property improvements, land purchases, political or social organization memberships, cash prizes, or non-essential electronic devices. Projects must be implemented and maintained by the applicant or designated coordinator and must have property owner or managing entity approval if located on third-party property. All necessary permits must be secured, and any associated fees are the applicant’s responsibility. Operational, salary, and planning expenses are also excluded. The city will not be held responsible for maintenance or liability associated with any funded projects. Evaluation of applications is conducted by a cross-departmental committee of city staff. The review process assigns a total of 105 points across three main categories: project overview (35 points), sustainability impact (50 points), and project details (20 points). Projects located in areas with an EnviroScreen score above the 80th percentile receive additional points to encourage resource equity. Review criteria include clarity of project need, feasibility, community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, innovation, and long-term impact. Completed applications must also include a detailed budget with cost estimates, a realistic project timeline, and a maintenance plan. The Sustainability Grant Program reflects Englewood’s strategic use of funding to empower local actors in advancing the city’s sustainability goals. The emphasis on public benefit, inclusiveness, and long-term viability ensures that selected projects will meaningfully contribute to Englewood’s environmental and social health. Questions can be directed to the City of Englewood at 303-762-2300. Once completed, funded projects must be documented with a photograph and short description for public visibility.

Focus on areas of high need; include detailed timeline and clear community benefit.