Strengthening Neighborhoods Program

The Strengthening Neighborhoods Program is a funding initiative managed by The Denver Foundation, a community foundation serving the Metro Denver area. With a focus on grassroots empowerment, the program is designed to uplift communities where residents earn below the area median income and to support communities of color. Through this program, The Denver Foundation affirms its commitment to place-based, community-driven development by offering small-scale, flexible funding that directly supports neighborhood-led projects and capacity-building efforts. This program offers grants for two primary purposes: hiring a capacity-building coach or consultant, and launching or continuing grassroots organizing campaigns or projects. Groups may engage a coach to facilitate organizational development, such as learning how to form a worker-owned cooperative, enhance neighborhood navigation, improve community engagement, or develop board leadership. Alternatively, groups may use the funds to implement one-time or sustained initiatives aimed at addressing local issues. Grant funds can be used to overcome participation barriers such as childcare or translation services, enabling broader community involvement. Eligibility is limited to organizations that are either registered as 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a formal fiscal sponsorship from a 501(c)(3). Groups must be led by at least three unrelated individuals and operate within the seven-county Metro Denver region. Importantly, this program no longer considers applications from groups that lack 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor. The Denver Foundation explicitly excludes requests for sponsorships, retroactive funding, re-granting, debt retirement, research, religious programming, and scholarships. All applicant organizations must adhere to a strict nondiscrimination policy. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, with decisions made monthly. However, the Strengthening Neighborhoods fund closes annually in October. The 2026 application window will open on January 20 and close on October 19. While prior grant recipients are welcome to reapply, they must first submit a final report detailing the use of previous funds before being considered again. This procedural step ensures accountability and allows for evaluation of past outcomes. Grant amounts typically range between $500 and $5,000, with the average award around $2,500. While the program does not specify the total funding pool or number of awards, its flexible structure is designed to meet the diverse needs of local groups at various stages of development or mobilization. Funding is highly localized and does not extend beyond the Metro Denver area. The initiative underscores a broader philosophy that residents are best positioned to identify and address the needs in their neighborhoods. To apply, community groups must access a dedicated portal—TDF Grant Manager – Strengthening Neighborhoods—which differs from the Foundation’s other funding application systems. The application process involves creating an account, submitting a completed proposal, and potentially responding to any follow-up inquiries from program staff. Questions during the process can be directed to [email protected]. The program exemplifies a model of philanthropic support that trusts and invests in community knowledge and leadership.