Colorado Environment Grants

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state agencies in six targeted states to improve regional preparedness and resilience against catastrophic events, focusing on housing, community resilience, and long-term vulnerability reduction.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and government organizations in Colorado for horticulture-related projects that focus on education, therapy, research, and community improvements.

This program provides financial support to public institutions in Colorado for upgrading their buildings to energy-efficient electric systems, particularly in communities that are disproportionately impacted or low-income.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for conservation projects aimed at protecting and recovering endangered and threatened species across the United States, targeting eligible applicants such as state and local governments, educational institutions, tribal organizations, and nonprofits.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for local, state, tribal, and non-profit organizations to restore and protect vital riparian and aquatic habitats in the headwaters of the Colorado and Rio Grande rivers, benefiting key species and promoting sustainable conservation practices.

The Western Colorado Community Foundation's 2024 Community Grants, themed "Youth Outside and Offline," is designed to foster healthy development in young people by encouraging outdoor activities and promoting responsible technology use. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to support nonprofits and strengthen communities across its seven-county service area in Western Colorado by addressing critical community needs through targeted funding. The program primarily targets youth participating in after-school and out-of-school programs within Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Rio Blanco Counties. The core impact goals are to get youth engaged in outdoor activities, teach healthy ways to use technology, reduce screen time, and ensure safe engagement with social media. This focus aims to counteract the potential negative effects of excessive screen time and encourage a balanced lifestyle for young individuals. The grant prioritizes programs that actively get youth outside, offering a variety of activities that promote physical activity and connection with nature. Simultaneously, a significant focus is placed on educating youth about responsible technology use, including strategies to reduce screen time and navigate social media safely. These dual priorities reflect a comprehensive approach to youth well-being in the digital age. Expected outcomes include an increase in youth participation in outdoor activities, improved understanding and adoption of healthy technology habits, and a measurable reduction in recreational screen time. Successful programs will also demonstrate an enhancement in youth's ability to engage with social media responsibly. The foundation's strategic priority through this theme is to invest in programs that build resilient, healthy communities by supporting the positive development of its youngest members, embodying a theory of change that posits that a balanced and informed approach to technology, combined with outdoor engagement, leads to healthier and more engaged youth. The Western Colorado Community Foundation awards approximately $100,000 annually in community grants, with individual grant sizes ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations or other qualified charitable entities, such as schools, churches, or government entities, serving the specified counties and registered in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State. This structured approach ensures that funding reaches credible organizations capable of delivering meaningful impact.

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 funding program provides financial support to local governments for improving parks, recreation services, and conserving natural resources through the acquisition, development, and maintenance of public sites.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations and communities in Boulder County to implement innovative projects that promote resource conservation and advance circular economy practices, ultimately helping to combat climate change.

This program provides financial support to rural and high-risk communities in Colorado for developing microgrids that ensure reliable power for essential services during emergencies.

This grant provides funding for a variety of entities, including local governments, educational institutions, and farmers, to research and demonstrate the integration of solar energy systems with agricultural practices in Colorado.

This program provides funding to support the maintenance and improvement of winter trail infrastructure for snowmobiling in Colorado, benefiting local snowmobile clubs, organizations, and agencies involved in trail grooming and safety initiatives.

This program provides financial assistance to Colorado municipalities, counties, and other local entities affected by energy and mineral development to support community development projects.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This funding initiative provides financial support and mentorship for young people in Aspen to develop and implement community-based environmental and climate action projects.

This funding opportunity supports local governments, nonprofits, and other organizations in Colorado to create and strengthen partnerships that promote sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation efforts across the state.

This program provides financial support to Colorado school districts and charter schools for transitioning to electric school buses and charging infrastructure, with a focus on benefiting communities most affected by air pollution.