Capital Grants

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation offers Capital Grants to support capital projects primarily for arts and culture organizations with annual operating budgets under $5 million. The Foundation maintains a strong focus on organizations with which it has an established relationship and expects applicants to engage in advance planning conversations to demonstrate the feasibility of their capital campaign and project. Large cultural institutions with operating budgets typically over $5 million are unlikely to receive significant capital gifts. Priority consideration is given to projects serving multiple organizations, fostering diverse communities, improving equitable access, supporting live/work spaces for artists, and addressing critical gaps in the arts and culture ecosystem in Denver. The Foundation’s capital grant program operates on a recurring cycle with four application rounds each year. For Round 1 in 2025, applications open on July 10 and close on August 11, with award decisions made in October 2025. Round 2 opens October 10, 2025, and closes November 10, 2025, with decisions announced in January 2026. Round 3 opens January 9, 2026, and closes February 10, 2026, with awards in April 2026. Round 4 opens April 10 and closes May 11, with award notifications in July 2026. Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s portal. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and culture organizations whose mission is focused on producing and presenting the arts for public benefit. Organizations must be based in the City of Denver and deliver the majority of their programs there, although exceptions may be considered for small-budget, community-centered organizations in adjacent Arapahoe, Adams, and Jefferson counties. Applicants must have at least three years of consistent public programming in arts and culture, an annual operating budget of at least $50,000, and paid staff equivalent to 0.5 FTE or greater. They must also demonstrate a strong understanding of and plan for implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Only one grant may be applied for within a 12-month period, and a final grant report is required for funded projects. Certain activities are generally not eligible for funding. These include loans, grants, or scholarships to individuals; events and media or film productions; religious activities; endowment funding; operating debt retirement; and requests from organizations outside Colorado or that do not benefit Colorado citizens. Organizations planning to use a fiscal sponsor must review the Foundation’s fiscal sponsorship guidelines and template. The Foundation seeks to foster growth in the arts and culture ecosystem in Denver, fuel progress by advancing equity, amplify impact by raising the visibility of arts and culture, and invest in capable and diverse leadership within the nonprofit sector. It works in partnership with grantees, funders, and community leaders to strengthen the creative economy. Applicants should first check their eligibility and, if new to the Foundation, complete the grant interest form. Returning applicants who have received a grant in the past three years are not required to complete the interest form. All applications are submitted online, and questions or conversations before submission are encouraged. For inquiries, applicants may contact the Foundation at +1 303-825-3774 or via email at admin@bonfils-stanton.org. The Foundation is located at 1033 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204, United States.

Engage in advance planning and demonstrate feasibility of project before applying