Colorado Diversity Equity and Inclusion Grants

This funding opportunity provides up to $10,000 to Colorado-based nonprofit organizations that develop leadership programs for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and adults with disabilities, focusing on community-rooted leaders and inclusive practices.

The Rose Community Foundation is pleased to announce the funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations in the Greater Denver region. Donor Name: Rose Community Foundation State: Colorado County: Adams County (CO), Arapahoe County (CO), Boulder County (CO), Broomfield County (CO), Denver County (CO), Douglas County (CO), Jefferson County (CO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The foundation seeks to fund a diverse slate of organizations engaging in equity-focused policy and advocacy work. Applicants may work at the state level, the local level or both and may pursue short- or long-term policy objectives. They aim to support policy efforts across a range of issues, representing a broad spectrum of approaches, perspectives, and populations served.  This grant cycle is intended to support Greater Denver’s diverse and dynamic ecosystem of organizations that leverage policy and advocacy efforts to help local communities furthest from opportunity create conditions for equity, justice, inclusion and engagement. Types of support  General Operating Support. To provide maximum flexibility for nonprofit organizations engaging in policy and advocacy work, They anticipate that most grants will be for general operating support. Program or Project Support. Organizations that have a primary organizational focus that does not include policy and advocacy should apply for policy-specific program funding. Non-policy work will not be considered through this grant opportunity. Organizations that do national or multi-state work should apply for program funding and specify that grant dollars would be used exclusively for local activities or statewide efforts that benefit region. Organizations applying on behalf of a coalition are required to apply for program funding. 501(c)(4) organizations are required to apply for program funding to distinguish from candidate or partisan work, which the Foundation cannot fund. Any grant applicants may opt to have funding structured as program support if that is preferred. Please note: Organizations that receive program or project support will be required to report direct and grassroots lobbying expenses, as applicable. Funding Information  Funding amounts will typically range from $15,000 to $75,000. Grant Duration  Most grant lengths will be one year. Eligibility Criteria This opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations – 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s – or fiscally sponsored projects serving the seven-county Greater Denver region (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties) or advancing statewide policy efforts that benefit those within that catchment area. Local/municipal, state and federal government agencies are not eligible for this opportunity. Organizations funded through donor-advised funds or giving circles at Rose Community Foundation are eligible for this opportunity, if other eligibility requirements are met. Organizations that house endowments at Rose Community Foundation are eligible to apply, but like all other applicants, are not guaranteed a grant award. Organizations that have received a separate grant from Rose Community Foundation in 2024 are unlikely to receive funding via this opportunity. They encourage organizations that think they may still be eligible to meet with Ray Barrie-Kivel, policy and advocacy manager, before beginning their application. Organizations that have active multi-year grants from Rose Community Foundation are not eligible for this opportunity. Rose Community Foundation has multiple open RFPs every year, and They encourage organizations that think they could be a fit for more than one opportunity to speak with a member of grantmaking team before beginning their application. For more information, visit Rose Community Foundation.

The Rose Community Foundation is pleased to announce the funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations in the Greater Denver region. Donor Name: Rose Community Foundation State: Colorado County: Adams County (CO), Arapahoe County (CO), Boulder County (CO), Broomfield County (CO), Denver County (CO), Douglas County (CO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/25/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The foundation seeks to fund a diverse slate of organizations engaging in equity-focused policy and advocacy work. Applicants may work at the state level, the local level or both and may pursue short- or long-term policy objectives. They aim to support policy efforts across a range of issues, representing a broad spectrum of approaches, perspectives, and populations served.  This grant cycle is intended to support Greater Denver’s diverse and dynamic ecosystem of organizations that leverage policy and advocacy efforts to help local communities furthest from opportunity create conditions for equity, justice, inclusion and engagement. Types of support  General Operating Support. To provide maximum flexibility for nonprofit organizations engaging in policy and advocacy work, They anticipate that most grants will be for general operating support.  Program or Project Support. Organizations that have a primary organizational focus that does not include policy and advocacy should apply for policy-specific program funding. Non-policy work will not be considered through this grant opportunity.  Organizations that do national or multi-state work should apply for program funding and specify that grant dollars would be used exclusively for local activities or statewide efforts that benefit our region.  Organizations applying on behalf of a coalition are required to apply for program funding.  501(c)(4) organizations are required to apply for program funding to distinguish from candidate or partisan work, which the Foundation cannot fund.  Any grant applicants may opt to have funding structured as program support if that is preferred.  Please note: Organizations that receive program or project support will be required to report direct and grassroots lobbying expenses, as applicable. Funding Information  Funding amounts will typically range from $15,000 to $75,000. Grant Duration  Most grant lengths will be one year. Eligibility Criteria This opportunity is open to nonprofit organizations – 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s – or fiscally sponsored projects serving the seven-county Greater Denver region (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties) or advancing statewide policy efforts that benefit those within that catchment area.  Local/municipal, state and federal government agencies are not eligible for this opportunity.  Organizations funded through donor-advised funds or giving circles at Rose Community Foundation are eligible for this opportunity, if other eligibility requirements are met.  Organizations that house endowments at Rose Community Foundation are eligible to apply, but like all other applicants, are not guaranteed a grant award.  Organizations that have received a separate grant from Rose Community Foundation in 2024 are unlikely to receive funding via this opportunity. They encourage organizations that think they may still be eligible to meet with Ray Barrie-Kivel, policy and advocacy manager, before beginning their application.  Organizations that have active multi-year grants from Rose Community Foundation are not eligible for this opportunity.  Rose Community Foundation has multiple open RFPs every year, and They encourage organizations that think they could be a fit for more than one opportunity to speak with a member of our grantmaking team before beginning their application. For more information, visit Rose Community Foundation.

The City of Boulder has released the 2025 Health Equity Fund (HEF) Request for Proposals, for community-based health equity programs benefitting Boulder community members experiencing health disparities. Donor Name: City of Boulder State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The Health Equity Fund aims to reduce disparities and to improve health equity for people experiencing systemic socio-economic and health barriers. Examples of HEF-supported programs include health services that help prevent obesity, diabetes, heart disease and oral diseases; increased access to healthy food and clean water; wellness programs; physical fitness; and more. The City of Boulder defines health equity as the absence of systematic health disparities based on socio-economic factors, and the ability of all residents to reach their full health potential, regardless of their life circumstances. Through the HEF, the City of Boulder funds health and wellness programs that benefit City of Boulder residents experiencing health disparities, including: Residents disproportionately impacted by diseases linked to sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption or disproportionately targeted by SSB marketing; Residents who lack access to healthy food, safe water, quality health care, wellness information and health care services and systems; and Populations systemically disenfranchised due to race, ethnicity, income, age, ability, sexual orientation or gender identification. Funding Information  Proposals must request a minimum of $10,000 with at least $8,000 in eligible expenses. Grant Period The RFP is for program services performed from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027. Eligibility Criteria Through the HEF, the city will fund programs rather than entire organizations, institutions, or agencies. Eligible programs may be implemented in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or public or private educational institutions (i.e., preK-12 school or college/university). Businesses and for-profit agencies should not apply. Eligible program activities may include direct services, research or collaborative approaches.  Proposal Criteria Proposals will be evaluated based on whether the proposed program:  Benefits people most affected by, or at increased risk from chronic disease linked to sugary drink consumption, or who generally experience health disparities.  Has leadership (agency board, staff and volunteers) that reflects the demographic diversity of clients served. Aligns with a selected program priority. Demonstrates sound research, evidence-based best practices. Values lived experience, cultural knowledge and wisdom.  Demonstrates strong and long-term evaluation of outcomes, or potential for such evaluation. Meaningfully engages community members experiencing health disparities in the design, implementation and/or evaluation of the proposed program. Demonstrates strong collaboration and transformative, equitable partnerships that move beyond informal relationships. Demonstrates a cost-effective approach that benefits program participants, target populations or the community. Demonstrates that the agency currently has, or demonstrates a plan for achieving sustained financial stability and organizational leadership. Exhibits diverse funding sources or a plan to achieve diverse funding.  For more information, visit COB.

Colorado Media Project and Local Media Association are pleased to announce a new partnership that will bring the proven, in-depth training and coaching program of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding to local newsrooms across Colorado. Donor Name: Local Media Association State: Colorado County: All Counties Type of Grant: Program Deadline:  06/19/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Community-based, locally controlled Colorado news organizations are invited to apply to join this state-centered cohort to learn how to develop local journalism projects that are responsive to community priorities and can be funded through philanthropy. Applicants must be producing original, local news for Colorado audiences at least weekly; priority will be given to newsrooms with philanthropic giving programs that are less than five years old. Local news partnerships or coalitions are also encouraged to apply, particularly if they have a joint initiative that they are seeking to fund via philanthropy. The LMA Lab for Journalism Funding, made possible with continuing support from Google News Initiative, has helped more than 100 news organizations across the U.S. raise more than $22 million to support local journalism since 2020. Each newsroom in the cohort will work with LMA coaches and CMP staff to: Set a fundraising goal, in consultation with the coaches, that is in line with that publisher’s market size. Develop a list of fundraising prospects, and develop a pitch deck and campaign materials to promote their newsroom and their project. Meet with funders and other lab participants in person at the CMP Summit on August 22. Participate in the end-of-year #newsCOneeds fundraising campaign with support from CMP and the Colorado Gives Foundation. Contribute best practices and lessons learned for case studies and an industry playbook published in 2025. Preference will be given to Colorado news organizations that: Have strong local leadership with deep ties to the community. Are focused on high-quality local journalism. Have leadership-level buy-in to participate in this lab and an organizational commitment to dedicate staff time and resources. Value staff and leadership diversity. Are relatively new to raising philanthropic support for local news (membership and/or grant programs of less than five years OR new staff members who could benefit from this training and cohort). For more information, visit Local Media Association.

The City of Boulder's Human Relations Fund (HRF) offers grants between $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations and individual organizers for community-led projects that promote civil rights, human rights, or equity issues, foster diversity and inclusivity, and provide free, public events within Boulder, particularly benefiting marginalized communities.

The Caring for Denver Foundation is accepting proposals for its Alternatives to Jail grant. Donor Name: Caring for Denver Foundation State: Colorado County: Denver County (CO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/08/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas  Foundation aims to fund a diversity of projects—from preventing people with substance misuse and mental health conditions from unnecessarily interacting with law enforcement or other aspects of the criminal legal system, to addressing mental health and substance misuse needs in jail or prison systems, to providing culturally responsive services based in community that promote mental health and address substance misuse for those impacted by the criminal legal system. Priorities  The Foundation will prioritize funding for projects and programs that address Denver’s mental health and substance misuse challenges in at least one of the areas below: Inclusive Access: Helps people access care and support in ways that make sense for them, in places that feel comfortable, and at times that fit their schedules, so they are better able to participate, learn, build skills, and address mental health and substance misuse issues. Attention to Fit: These projects ensure that when people seek care, they feel understood, connected, and respected by those providing that care, primarily through offering culturally designed and matched care options. These projects also support the mental health and substance misuse needs of those providing the supports so that they can be at their best as they support others. Care Over Time: Improve care transitions, making them easier and more seamless for people. The goal is to increase stability and minimize the starts and stops in mental health and substance misuse care. These projects are particularly important during transition times, including leaving the criminal legal system back into community. Funding Information The total amount available for all grant awards in this funding area is $14.4 million which includes a minimum of $4.8 million to City and County of Denver agencies. Applicants should consider the total amount available to organizations and agencies in the amount they request. Caring for Denver will evaluate grant budgets for their reasonableness and consider whether an organization has previously received a grant in allocation decisions. Eligibility Criteria Projects and activities supported by Caring for Denver’s grantmaking must serve or support only residents of the City and County of Denver (“City”). Caring for Denver’s general definition of residency is derived from the State of Colorado Medical Services Board Rule 8.607.1(F) around Areas of Service. The following individuals will be considered City residents by Caring for Denver: An individual physically residing full time in the City An individual experiencing homelessness presenting in the City and intending to stay in the City An individual, under 21 years of age and in the custody of Denver Human Services (“DHS”) An individual, under 18 years of age and in primary legal and residency custody of a City resident A non-City resident who is placed in a mental health and/or substance abuse program while in a City Jail. Applicants can be any nonprofit organization designated by the IRS as tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(c)(3), or under other sections of the U.S. tax code or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. If an organization does not have a 501(c)(3), has a pending 501(c)(3), is not in good standing, and/or does not have at least one year of tax returns and financial statements, it will be required to work with a fiscal sponsor. Applicants may also be an Indian or Native American entity. Government-supported entities, including schools, museums, or libraries, and City and County of Denver or State of Colorado agencies are eligible to apply. For more information, visit CDF.

This funding supports community-building projects that empower historically marginalized groups, such as Indigenous women, Black individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, to enhance social connections and promote health equity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for short-term advocacy projects that aim to improve health equity for low-income Coloradans by addressing issues like access to healthcare, mental health resources, and affordable housing.

The "2024 Fall Advancing Advocacy and Justice with Communities of Color" grant aims to financially support advocacy organizations led by or focused on people of color, with the goal of promoting health equity, influencing policy, and advancing racial and economic justice in their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for youth programs that promote holistic and culturally responsive physical well-being, prioritizing initiatives led by or serving youth of color, girls, youth with disabilities, and LGBTQ youth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community-based programs that help individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, access culturally relevant recovery services.

This grant provides funding for community-driven projects to design and create outdoor spaces like parks and playgrounds in Colorado, focusing on promoting health equity for low-income families, communities of color, and rural areas.

The Foundation's Supporting Healthy Minds and Youth Resiliency funding opportunity focuses on honoring young people and supporting their growth and development amidst various challenges such as the pandemic, community violence, and discrimination. Specifically targeting youth of color and LGBTQ+ youth aged 12-18, this initiative seeks to nurture resiliency through identity, agency, and belonging, critical components in developing personal and interpersonal capacities like relationship building, problem-solving, and self-awareness. Proposals should align with the Foundation’s cornerstones, emphasizing service, informed approaches, and health equity. Funding requests typically range from $150,000 to $250,000 over two years, provided as program/project support grants. Organizations must include the same group of young people and adults over a sustained period, focusing on racial, ethnic, sexual, and/or gender identity development; demonstration of agency; and fostering a sense of belonging. A wide array of youth programming will be considered, including civic engagement, arts, cultural practices, outdoor adventures, and job skill training. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to connect with the Foundation before submitting applications. Grant renewed every year.

This funding opportunity supports small nonprofit organizations in Colorado with budgets of $1 million or less that are addressing urgent needs for older adults, particularly in the areas of combating ageism, promoting digital equity, and facilitating aging in place, while prioritizing equity for marginalized communities.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Colorado that help families and communities, particularly in rural areas, by promoting self-sufficiency and aiding the economically disadvantaged, youth, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.