Denver Reparations Fund

The Denver Foundation is offering the Denver Reparations Fund, a grant program administered in partnership with the Denver Black Reparations Council (DBRC) and funded by Reparations Circle Denver (RCD). RCD is a giving circle based in Denver that raises resources to support reparative justice initiatives, while DBRC manages the grant distribution process. The fund exists to repair and sustain African institutions, traditions, and community resources harmed by the historical and ongoing legacies of chattel slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and systemic inequities in Colorado. The program’s goal is to address structural disadvantages such as redlining, gentrification, mass incarceration, and inequities in education, employment, and healthcare that continue to impact communities descended from those harmed. Eligible applicants must be Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Applicants must focus their work on redressing harms experienced by Coloradans affected by slavery’s legacy and Jim Crow segregation and demonstrate substantial representation within their leadership of individuals whose ancestors were directly impacted by these harms. Organizations outside the core definition may apply if a specific program aligns with the fund’s priorities. Priorities include building economic strength and generational wealth, preserving and expanding cultural and historical knowledge, improving mental and physical health access, enhancing education opportunities, fostering community advocacy, ensuring access to essential services, and supporting transformative systemic change. Grants are awarded annually in one funding cycle each fall. The grant range is $2,500 to $7,500, with a total of $50,000 available per cycle. Funds cannot be used for membership campaigns, debt retirement, endowments, political activities, religious doctrine, capital campaigns, re-granting purposes, or grants to individuals. The DBRC also provides alternative funding directly to individuals, businesses, and organizations not meeting 501(c)(3) status through separate opportunities outside this cycle. The application process requires organizations to register through The Denver Foundation’s grant application portal. The 2025 cycle opens on August 1, 2025, and closes on September 15, 2025. Applicants must submit all required materials by the closing date to be considered. Grant recipients are selected based on alignment with the program’s priorities, evidence of leadership representation from impacted communities, and the potential for long-term positive impact on Colorado communities shaped by slavery and Jim Crow. This is a recurring annual funding opportunity. While past recipients have been funded, previous awards do not guarantee future funding. All applications are evaluated competitively within the cycle’s available funding. Interested applicants can review FAQs on The Denver Foundation’s website or contact the program team with questions. For more information or inquiries, applicants may contact reparations@denverfoundation.org or call 303-300-1790. The Denver Foundation’s physical address is 1009 Grant Street, Denver, Colorado 80203. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with EIN 84-6048381.