The Sudden & Urgent Need (SUN) grant, offered by Next50, is designed to assist small nonprofit organizations in Colorado that serve older adults and are facing unexpected, time-sensitive financial needs. Next50 is a private philanthropic organization with a mission to improve the lives of older adults and promote equitable aging. Through SUN grants, Next50 supports urgent expenses that are unplanned and that, if not addressed swiftly, would hinder an organization’s ability to continue serving its community. These grants are strictly for one-time costs and not for recurring or ongoing program expenses.
Applicants must demonstrate alignment with at least one of Next50’s strategic priorities: ending ageism, advancing digital equity, and supporting aging in place. Additionally, all proposals must focus on promoting equity for marginalized or geographically underserved populations aged 50 and older. The organization must show that the identified need is unforeseen and directly threatens its capacity to serve older adults, or that it presents an unmissable opportunity to enhance services.
Eligible applicants are Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets of $1 million or less. Government entities, universities, and for-profit organizations are ineligible. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted, provided the fiscal sponsor meets specific contractual and mission alignment criteria. Funding may cover emergency repairs, critical technology replacements, or other sudden expenses that meet the SUN grant definition. However, it may not be used for indirect costs, general operations, personnel (unless tied directly to the urgent need), routine travel, political activities, or recurring needs such as audits or annual expenses.
Grant awards may be up to $30,000, and applicants are encouraged to request only the amount truly necessary. Only one SUN grant may be awarded to an organization per calendar year. The grant cycle is ongoing, and organizations can apply by first scheduling a call with Next50 staff to ensure eligibility. Approved applicants will then be invited to complete a full application via the Fluxx portal. No specific pre-application deadlines are listed, but all submissions must include complete documentation, free from password protection.
Evaluation of proposals is based on five core criteria: the urgency and unforeseen nature of the need; alignment with Next50’s strategic priorities; focus on marginalized older adult populations; immediate impact; and the completeness of the application. Successful applicants must agree to Next50’s standard grant agreement and submit a financial expenditure report with receipts or invoices, as well as a narrative impact report, within 90 days of grant completion. Registration in the Fluxx grant portal is required to access and submit the application.
Highlight urgency and equity focus for older adults.
