City and County of Denver Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund

The City and County of Denver Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund is a partnership initiative between Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), specifically its Division of Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST), and The Denver Foundation. This grant program is aimed at strengthening nonprofit organizations that serve targeted Denver neighborhoods by increasing community capacity and fostering civic engagement. This program differs from The Denver Foundation’s general Capacity Building Fund, operating with distinct eligibility and funding priorities. This funding opportunity is rooted in the broader mission of DEDO, which is committed to advancing equitable economic prosperity across Denver’s diverse neighborhoods. DEDO achieves this through five divisions, with NEST focusing on neighborhood-level equity and stabilization efforts. In alignment with these objectives, the Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund seeks to support capacity-enhancing initiatives within organizations that directly serve Denver’s NEST neighborhoods. Applicants are encouraged to design projects that improve internal infrastructure, foster leadership development, and deepen community organizing efforts. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor. Additionally, organizations must be either physically located in or provide services to specific priority neighborhoods, including Athmar Park, Barnum, Barnum West, Clayton, College View, East Colfax, Elyria Swansea, Globeville, Kennedy, Lincoln Park, Mar Lee, Montbello, Ruby Hill, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, Westwood, and Windsor. A scope of work developed with a consultant is required as part of the application submission, serving as a foundational planning document for the proposed work. Examples of eligible projects under this fund include strategic planning, governance and board development, fund development, evaluation tool development, and community organizing. New initiatives such as scenario planning are also included within the acceptable scope. However, there are strict prohibitions on the use of funds for activities such as food-related travel, endowments, political or religious purposes, scholarships, or any work completed prior to receiving funds. Grants will range from $2,000 to $20,000, with an estimated total of five to fifteen awards expected in 2025. All awarded projects must be fully completed, including use of funds and deliverables, by November 28, 2025. No extensions will be granted beyond this date, so applicants are advised to ensure their project timelines align with this constraint. Funding from previous years does not guarantee future awards, and financial eligibility includes not having a fund balance deficit on the organization’s most recent fiscal year balance sheet. The application portal for this fund opened on August 25, 2025, and will remain open until September 8, 2025. Interested applicants must register and submit materials via The Denver Foundation’s online grant portal. For additional questions, applicants may contact the fund administrator at citycapacitybuilding@denverfoundation.org.