Human Relations Fund

The Human Relations Fund (HRF) is administered by the City of Boulder and serves as a municipal initiative aimed at supporting community-led events that raise awareness of civil and human rights issues. This fund represents the city’s broader effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among its residents by facilitating celebrations that highlight the cultural contributions and struggles of marginalized communities. In line with these objectives, the HRF aligns its funding priorities with specific commemorative occasions such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, Immigrant Heritage Month, and Indigenous Peoples Day. These events not only provide meaningful opportunities for historically underserved populations to engage in public discourse and celebration, but also create educational experiences for the wider community in Boulder. Beginning in 2026, funding from the HRF will be exclusively available for community-initiated events tied to these four annual celebrations. The intent is to focus limited financial resources on programs that generate the most public impact and resonate with the city’s DEI objectives. Proposals must demonstrate a strong connection to one or more of these commemorations and must address civil rights, human rights, or equity-related themes within the City of Boulder. Projects that facilitate civic engagement, foster community understanding, and empower marginalized groups are prioritized. Eligibility for the HRF is open to nonprofit organizations and individual organizers working under the fiscal sponsorship of a nonprofit. Events must occur within Boulder city limits and be open to the public at no charge. Additional evaluation criteria include community leadership, collaboration with other organizations, accessibility, and the potential to educate the broader community. Preference is given to events that reflect diverse planning committees and inclusive participation. Activities funded by the HRF must be distinct from those already funded by other city departments and must not serve as fundraisers or involve participant fees. The city anticipates allocating approximately $34,000 in total HRF funding for 2026. Awards are granted on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed and approved throughout the year. Given this approach, available funds decrease as the year progresses. Approved uses of funds include event-related expenses such as marketing, supplies, postage, food, and speaker fees. While the fund is not intended to cover ongoing personnel expenses, modest honoraria (up to 25% of the total grant) may be offered to volunteer organizers. Notably, the HRF Application Review Process Team may opt to reserve a portion of funds to ensure equitable distribution across the calendar year. For 2026, the funding process is divided into two rounds. The Fall Round, which opened on November 3, 2025, supports Martin Luther King Jr. Day events. The Spring Round, which will reopen later in the year, targets events tied to Immigrant Heritage Month, Juneteenth, and Indigenous Peoples Day. The application process includes submission of a proposal through the city's grant portal and, if selected, execution of a contract detailing deliverables. Depending on the scope and timeline of the event, funding may be disbursed upfront or in installments based on final report submission and approval. All funded projects must acknowledge the City of Boulder’s support through approved credit lines or logos in event publicity. Following the conclusion of an event, recipients must submit a brief final report via the Foundant grant management system. Contact for this program is Markisha Key-Hagan, reachable by email at [email protected] or phone at 303-441-3146. The HRF represents a focused investment in cultural celebration, public education, and the empowerment of communities facing systemic marginalization.

Apply early in the calendar year, as funding is rolling and may be depleted later in the year.