Housing Grant Program

The Colorado Gives Foundation is offering a Housing Grant Program aimed at improving access to stable and affordable housing in Jefferson County. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to help Jefferson County thrive by addressing critical community needs. The grant provides general operating support to eligible community partners who are working to advance housing solutions, reflecting the foundation's strategic priority to support organizations directly impacting the community. The program targets Jefferson County residents who are experiencing challenges with housing stability and affordability. This includes individuals and families who would benefit from increased public awareness and education regarding affordable housing, those burdened by the cost of renting or homeownership, and residents in need of short-term housing or shelter. Additionally, the program seeks to support middle-income households earning between $52,000 to $150,000 (60% to 120% Area Median Income) by preserving or increasing affordable housing options. The grant program prioritizes several key areas. These include supporting efforts to increase public awareness and education about the impact of the lack of affordable housing and opportunities to increase housing options, such as through the Housing Advocacy Steering Committee and the Jeffco Advocacy Network. It also focuses on supporting advocacy and local, regional, and statewide public policy to reduce the cost burden of housing. Furthermore, the program emphasizes navigation efforts and resources for residents in short-term housing or shelters, and efforts to increase or preserve affordable housing options for middle-income households through impact investments like the Bring it Home Fund. Expected outcomes include a more informed public regarding affordable housing issues, tangible reductions in housing cost burdens, and increased availability of diverse housing options for Jefferson County residents. The foundation measures impact through the number of Jeffco residents served, the percentage of an organization's budget applied to Jeffco-specific initiatives, and concrete programs focused on Jeffco populations. The grant period runs from October 1, 2024, to March 30, 2026, with typical funding ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per year, and overall grant sizes between $10,000 to $100,000 over a two-year duration, allowing for sustained efforts towards achieving these measurable results.