City of Aspen Non-Profit Grant

The City of Aspen’s Grants Program supports nonprofit organizations advancing the mental and physical well-being of residents, environmental protection, and community connectedness through accessibility, stewardship, arts, and cultural engagement. Since its inception in 1996, the City has distributed over $31 million across three core focus areas: arts and culture, community nonprofits, and health and human services. Within the Arts & Culture Division, the City aims to sustain artistically excellent nonprofits that enhance Aspen’s cultural vibrancy and enrich the lives of local residents. The 2026 Arts & Culture grant cycle offers a total of $1,114,585 in funding, pending budget approval. Grants are awarded for a two-year term, with the next cycle not expected until 2027. The program uses a tiered system to allocate awards: Tier 1 supports Aspen-based organizations with funding up to $100,000, while Tier 2 provides up to $75,000 for organizations based outside of Aspen. Organizations may request up to 20% of their operational budget, subject to the tier cap. Funds are sourced from the real estate transfer tax (RETT), specifically guided by the Wheeler Opera House Real Estate Transfer Tax ordinance. Applicants must align their proposals with the authorized uses outlined in the city code. Grants may be used for programmatic or operational costs that support service delivery within the Aspen to Glenwood corridor, directly benefiting the area’s residents and workforce. To be eligible, organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or a school. One-time exemptions are available for organizations previously funded in 2025 without this designation. Eligibility also requires submission of prior grant outcome reports if applicable. Services must primarily benefit those within the Aspen-Glenwood corridor, although past recipients from outside the corridor may apply if funded in the past three years. The 2026 cycle opens on October 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM and closes on December 10, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Applications must be submitted through the City's designated grant portal. For questions, applicants may contact the program via email at grants@aspen.gov or by phone at 970-920-5264.

Tie project directly to Aspen-Glenwood corridor; clearly define RETT-aligned uses; ensure all past reports are complete; review tier-based cap.