Colorado Arts Grants

The Town of Crested Butte is offering a Community Grant Program, ranging from $1000 to $10,000, for nonprofit organizations that provide significant benefits to the community, with a focus on addressing the pandemic and housing crisis, and promoting equity, diversity, creativity, and inclusion.

The Equity Funds, a discretionary grantmaking initiative by Community Foundation Boulder County, are designed to address various needs across Boulder County. These funds align directly with the Foundation's mission to enhance community well-being by engaging donors in philanthropy and distributing grants to support diverse groups. The initiative comprises three distinct funds: BRAVO, Open Door, and Veterans, each with specific strategic priorities and target beneficiaries, all contributing to the broader goal of building resiliency and fostering opportunities within the community. The BRAVO Fund specifically targets Latino communities in Boulder County, aiming to improve their quality of life by promoting social justice, strengthening Latino leadership, and empowering them through philanthropy. Priority is given to projects that bolster the arts, environmental, health and human services, civic, educational, and cultural aspects of these communities, particularly those initiated by Latinos. The expected outcome is to support community-led initiatives that build resilience and foster active voices, with approximately $6,500 available for grants this year, with minimum grants of $1,000. The Open Door Fund focuses on supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals and allies in Boulder County. Its strategic priorities include supporting the strengths and needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, building community, fostering collaboration, and providing support for organizations serving this population. The fund prioritizes new and emerging ideas that contribute to systemic change, with a preference for primarily LGBTQ+-focused organizations. With approximately $50,000 available this year, and minimum grants of $1,000, the fund aims to cultivate a stronger, more inclusive LGBTQ+ community and facilitate dialogue with the broader community. Finally, the Veterans Fund is dedicated to supporting Boulder County Veterans and their families through grants to community partners. This fund's mission is to support the strengths and needs of Veterans and transitioning service members, build community among them, foster education about Veterans’ issues, and provide support for relevant organizations. Priority is given to projects and organizations demonstrating strong Veteran involvement in planning and implementation. The fund has approximately $11,500 available for grants this year, with minimum grants of $1,000, aiming to create, sustain, or expand programs and projects that directly benefit Veterans and their families. Eligibility for all funds requires grantees to be IRS 501(c)(3) public charities or governmental entities, with funds used exclusively for activities within Boulder County or benefiting its residents, ensuring local impact and alignment with the Foundation's charitable objectives.

The Colorado Energy Office, in partnership with the Community Access Enterprise, is offering grants of up to $1.5 million for community-led electric mobility programs, covering costs such as electric vehicles, e-bikes, charging infrastructure, and operational costs, with eligible applicants including local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

This program provides funding to non-profit organizations and community initiatives in Westminster, Colorado, to support projects that enhance community well-being, promote environmental conservation, and empower youth.

The City of Lafayette, through its Historic Preservation Board (HPB), offers competitive grants aimed at the direct support and preservation of older buildings within Lafayette city limits. These grants are designed to maintain and enhance the historic character of the community, aligning with the broader mission of preserving local heritage and extending the lifespan of significant structures. The program underscores a commitment to fostering a sense of place and historical continuity for current and future residents. Target beneficiaries for this grant program are owners of commercial buildings, houses, churches, outbuildings, and barns that are 50 years old or older and located within Lafayette city limits. The impact goals are to encourage the restoration, repair, and overall improvement of these historic structures. Expected outcomes include the physical preservation of architectural heritage, improved structural integrity of older buildings, and the continued use of historic materials or the use of identical/similar materials when original ones are not feasible. The program prioritizes projects that extend the life of the building, enhance its historic character, and, where possible, involve Lafayette-based businesses or DIY efforts. Projects that remove non-historic features to expose original ones are also encouraged. Urgency of need is a significant factor in assessment, alongside the longevity impact of the project and the appearance achieved through the use of historic materials. Research on the property's history is also encouraged, drawing on local historical resources. Eligible improvements include structural repairs (like foundation work), restoration of original windows and doors, roof repair/replacement, gutter installation, masonry cleaning and restoration, and the reconstruction of original architectural details. Painting is also eligible, with an emphasis on determining original colors. Measurable results include the number of buildings preserved, the extent of historic materials retained or accurately replicated, and the overall improvement in the condition and historic authenticity of funded projects. The underlying theory of change is that by providing financial incentives and clear guidelines, the City of Lafayette can empower property owners to take an active role in preserving the city's unique historical fabric, contributing to community pride and economic vitality.

Dutchess County Government is offering a grant program to incentivize food waste reduction within its municipalities and public schools. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to promote environmental sustainability and responsible waste management at the local level. By providing financial assistance for the installation and operation of in-vessel aerobic composters, the program directly addresses the issue of food waste, contributing to a greener and more efficient waste infrastructure within the county. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are local government entities with taxing authority and public K-12 schools located within Dutchess County. The program's impact goals are centered on reducing the amount of food waste sent to landfills, thereby decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and extending the lifespan of existing waste disposal facilities. Encouraging collaborative applications among entities further amplifies the potential for widespread adoption and greater collective impact across the county. The grant prioritizes the purchase of in-vessel composting systems and covers ancillary installation costs such as piping, electrical work, concrete slabs, and roofing materials. This focus ensures that eligible applicants can establish functional and sustainable composting operations. The program is structured as a reimbursement grant, requiring purchases to be made and paid for by the applicant before the county reimburses 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $50,000 per award. A total of $200,000 has been appropriated in the 2024 Dutchess County Budget for this program. The expected outcomes of this program include a significant reduction in food waste volume from participating municipalities and schools, an increase in local composting infrastructure, and greater public awareness and engagement in sustainable waste practices. Measurable results will likely include the number of composting systems installed, the volume of food waste diverted from landfills, and the number of participating entities. The project period runs from September 1, 2024, to September 1, 2026, allowing for the implementation and initial operation of these composting systems.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government entities in Colorado to create and improve tourism projects that enhance the visitor experience, with a generous matching fund requirement.

This grant provides funding to support projects that boost economic development, promote tourism, and enhance cultural arts programs in Brighton, encouraging community engagement and attracting visitors.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit theater organizations in select Western U.S. states for professional productions that address contemporary social issues and engage diverse audiences.

This program provides $2 million in funding to support the development of geothermal energy systems for various entities in Colorado, prioritizing projects that benefit low-income and underserved communities.

This grant provides financial support for Colorado-based artists and organizations to create collaborative projects that use the arts to address pressing social, civic, environmental, and health issues in their communities.

This funding opportunity supports independent artists and collectives in Colorado to create innovative public art projects outside traditional venues, enhancing community engagement and understanding of visual art.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities with populations of 15,000 or fewer, helping them to create and sustain exceptional artistic programs that engage and benefit local residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Colorado-based nonprofits for their state and local policy and advocacy initiatives, focusing on community engagement and coalition building.

This grant provides financial support to 501(c)(3) organizations in Colorado that focus on enhancing community well-being through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and human services.

This funding opportunity supports Colorado-based nonprofit organizations that empower and advocate for the Latino community through various initiatives focused on health, education, cultural celebration, and basic needs.

This program provides funding for residents to create physical improvement projects that enhance public spaces in their neighborhoods, such as community gardens and park upgrades, on publicly owned property.

This funding program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Castle Rock, Colorado, for community projects that enhance quality of life, particularly for youth, seniors, and the arts.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and projects in Golden that promote arts, culture, science, and technology, fostering community enrichment and innovation.

This grant provides financial support to Colorado-based nonprofit organizations focused on addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of slavery and segregation on African American communities, promoting economic strength, cultural preservation, and systemic change.