Civic Fabric Fund

The Civic Fabric Fund – State & Local Policy is a grantmaking initiative offered by The Denver Foundation, a private foundation based in Colorado with a mission to support community well-being and equity through philanthropy, leadership, and civic engagement. This grant supports nonprofit organizations seeking to advance policy and advocacy efforts at both the state and local levels. The fund aims to strengthen the civic infrastructure and amplify community voice, particularly through grassroots coalition-building and strategic policy initiatives. The fund provides two types of grants: general operating support and program-specific grants. These are designed to back nonprofits working on policy and advocacy campaigns aligned with The Denver Foundation's established policy principles. Key issue areas include economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, and youth well-being. Applicants are expected to indicate whether their focus is on grasstops advocacy or grassroots community engagement, with priority funding directed toward the seven-county Metro Denver region for grassroots initiatives. Grants typically range from $15,000 to $30,000 and may be used to support community engagement, coalition building, and leadership in policy initiatives. While prior receipt of funding does not guarantee future awards, eligible organizations must be invited by The Denver Foundation to apply. All applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or have a qualifying fiscal sponsor, and must be based in and conducting work in Colorado. The application process is conducted online through The Denver Foundation's grant portal. Within the application, organizations are required to submit their mission, a summary of proposed work, the amount requested, and both current and project budgets (if applicable). In addition, applicants must answer several questions, including which populations their work will prioritize, how racial equity is embedded in their approach, and how they are collaborating with community members and organizations. The 2025 funding round for this opportunity will open on August 1, 2025, and close on September 15, 2025. Applications are accepted by invitation only, and registration on the foundation’s online portal is required. Interested parties with questions during the application process are encouraged to contact Naomi Amaha, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, via email at namaha@denverfoundation.org. The Civic Fabric Fund is an extension of The Denver Foundation’s broader policy and advocacy efforts established in 2021, which aim to drive systemic change in areas critical to community health and equity. The foundation emphasizes policy initiatives that benefit historically marginalized communities, including American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American or Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous, and Latino/Latina populations, as well as economically disadvantaged groups.