Colorado Gives Foundation Workforce Development Grant

The Colorado Gives Foundation is offering the Workforce Development Grant Opportunity to support Jefferson County residents as they adapt to evolving job markets and secure better employment opportunities that exceed the local cost of living. The foundation’s Workforce Development focus area provides general operating support to community partners who align with their strategic priorities for improving economic stability and access to quality jobs. Funding is intended to bolster initiatives that produce a positive return on investment for learners, such as programs that increase wages, improve job quality, and bridge the gap between workforce skills and employer needs. Eligible projects may promote transparency in education and employment outcomes, enabling learners to make informed choices about their training and career paths. The grants also support efforts to connect workers with jobs offering livable wages and benefits that help people meet basic needs, as well as the creation or expansion of evidence-based pilot programs aimed at improving access to such jobs. All proposals should clearly demonstrate their impact within Jefferson County and align with the foundation’s broader goals for community improvement. To be eligible, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, an entity operating under fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or a government entity. Organizations must be committed to serving Jefferson County residents and provide evidence of this commitment through data such as the number of Jeffco residents served, the percentage of the budget allocated to Jeffco, or specific programs targeting Jeffco populations. Applications will be assessed on their alignment with the foundation’s strategy, the depth and breadth of services in Jeffco, focus on populations facing disparate outcomes, organizational size, and the prior year’s budget. The foundation may partially fund requests, and typically does not fund more than 20% of an organization’s operating budget per grant. Funding amounts generally range from $10,000 to $100,000, which equates to $5,000 to $50,000 per year. The grant term runs from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. Applications open on August 4, 2025, and close on August 24, 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the virtual office hours on August 18, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., where they can ask questions about the application process and alignment with the foundation’s priorities. The application process is managed through the GranteeView portal, which requires a login to start a new application or continue an existing one. Multiple grant administrators can be assigned, and prior application information is stored for returning applicants. The foundation offers FAQs and technical support for navigating the portal. Approved applicants will enter into a grant agreement process following the award decision. Contact information for the Colorado Gives Foundation is as follows: 5855 Wadsworth Bypass Unit A, Arvada, CO 80003, phone (720) 898-5900. The foundation’s Tax ID is 51-0157964. Potential applicants should review the full eligibility criteria, funding priorities, and deadlines before applying to ensure a complete and competitive submission.

Attend the virtual office hours on August 18, 2025, to ask questions about application alignment and process.