The Chaffee County Community Foundation, in partnership with Chaffee County and the Chaffee County Citizens Advisory Committee, administers the Chaffee County Common Ground Program. This initiative supports local projects that enhance forest health, conserve agricultural lands, and manage the impacts of growth in the region. The program aims to strategically address these challenges by offering funding for both planning and execution stages of various qualifying projects.
The 2025 grant cycle includes several categories of grants tailored to different environmental and agricultural priorities. These include Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Planning & Education Grants, Forest Health and Fire Resilience Project Grants, Agricultural Program Grants, Agricultural Enhancement Grants, Sustainable Agriculture Conservation Easement & Acquisition Grants, Recreation Impacts Planning and Monitoring Grants, Recreation Impacts Management Grants, and Mini Grants. Each type is governed by specific eligibility requirements and application codes, all requiring pre-application submissions unless noted otherwise.
Applicants must be qualified organizations, such as nonprofits, government agencies, or accredited land trusts, depending on the grant type. In some cases, individual landowners may participate by partnering with recognized entities like the Colorado State Forest Service. Projects must demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes, possess relevant permits, and include complete budgets and timelines. Larger grant requests exceeding $50,000 require a demonstrated track record of success in similar scopes.
The grant program emphasizes collaboration and landscape-scale action, seeking projects that integrate across funding categories and land ownerships. A match of at least 2:1 in cash or in-kind resources is generally expected, although exceptions may apply. Special support is available for staffing needs that meet stringent conditions, including innovation, sustainability, and broad community support.
Applications for Winter/Spring 2025 follow a defined schedule. Information was released on April 4, 2025. Pre-applications open on April 18 and are due by May 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Full applications are due June 6, 2025, and awards will be announced in August 2025. Mini Grants follow a separate, simplified process and are due June 6 without requiring a pre-application.
For questions, applicants can contact CCCF at grants@chaffeecommunity.org or 719-204-5071. Additional application templates and guidance documents, including maps and planning tools, are available to assist applicants. ACH enrollment is encouraged for grant disbursements. The program also reserves the right to conduct site visits for projects exceeding $100,000 to monitor progress and effectiveness.
