Colorado Environment Grants

This funding opportunity supports Colorado non-profits and government entities in collaborating on conservation and recreation planning to enhance outdoor experiences and engage underrepresented communities.

This program provides an opportunity for project sponsors to receive expert feedback on their water quality restoration or protection project ideas before applying for funding to address nonpoint source pollution.

This program provides matching funds to local governments, nonprofits, and tribes in Colorado to replace high-water-use turf with water-efficient landscapes, promoting water conservation and community engagement.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on animal welfare and children's health, with a preference for those serving Colorado communities.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs is offering a grant program for local government planning departments to increase their capacity and expedite the review process for affordable housing projects, with funds potentially used for implementing new technologies, regulatory changes, planning efforts, and other strategies that align with the program's goals.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve public health and the environment in communities disproportionately affected by pollution and environmental issues across Colorado.

The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) is offering grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for a period of 3 years to non-profit organizations, HOAs, K-12 schools, and community-based organizations in Larimer County, Colorado, to fund projects that enhance natural landscapes, provide environmental education, improve access to nature, support local agricultural food production, or conduct research on county open spaces, with the application deadline set for October 11, 2024.

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance watershed resilience, grasslands, sagebrush rangelands, and big game habitats across Colorado, targeting non-profits, local governments, and educational institutions.

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 are a set of discretionary grantmaking funds of Community Foundation Boulder County addressing needs throughout Boulder County. Donor Name: Community Foundation Boulder County (CFBC) State: Colorado County: Boulder County (CO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Types of Funds BRAVO Fund The BRAVO Fund aims to improve the quality of life for Latino communities throughout Boulder County by engaging donors in philanthropy with the purpose of building resiliency through active voices and opportunities. The mission of the BRAVO Fund is to support the Latino community in Boulder County by raising money and distributing grants. The focus of the BRAVO Fund is to: Promote social justice. Strengthen opportunities for Latino leadership. Empower Latinos to engage in philanthropy that benefits their own communities. Funding Priority Priority will be given to projects that support and strengthen the arts, environmental, health and human services, civic, educational, and/or cultural aspects of Boulder County Latino communities and/or are initiated by Latinos to benefit Latinos. Funding Information Approximately $6,500 is available to grant this year, minimum grants will be $1,000. Open Door Fund The Open Door Fund supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals and allies in Boulder County The focus of the Open Door Fund is to: Support the strengths and needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. Build and cultivate the LGBTQ+ community. Foster collaboration and dialogue between the LGBTQ+ population and the broader community. Provide a source of support for organizations serving and impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Funding Priority Priority will be given to projects that support new and emerging ideas, especially those that contribute to system change. Preference will be given to those organizations which are primarily LGBTQ+-focused. Funding Information Approximately $50,000 is available to grant this year, minimum grants will be $1,000. Veterans Fund The Veterans Fund supports Boulder County Veterans and their families by raising money and distributing grants to community partners to create, sustain, or expand programs and projects for Veterans. The focus of the Veterans Fund is to: Support the strengths and meet the needs of Veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and their families in Boulder County. Build community around and among Veterans. Foster education about Veterans’ issues and dialogue between Veterans and the community. Provide a source of support for organizations serving the Veteran community. Funding Priority Priority will be given to projects and organizations that demonstrate strong Veteran involvement and engagement in the planning and implementation of the proposed activities. Funding Information Approximately $11,500 is available to grant this year, minimum grants will be $1,000. Eligibility Requirements Grantees must use grant proceeds only for the stated purpose of the grant or for charitable and educational activities consistent with the organization’s tax-exempt status. Grants from The Community Foundation’s discretionary funds are exclusively for activities or projects in Boulder County and/or for the benefit of Boulder County residents. Any nonprofit organization with an IRS 501(c)(3) public charities (not private operating or non-operating foundations) or any governmental or public entity can apply. Groups or organizations that do not have IRS 501(c)(3) designation may do so with a fiscal sponsor. The Community Foundation makes grants for specific projects as well as for unrestricted operating expenses, capital campaigns, endowments and technical assistance. The Community Foundation does not make grants to organizations where grant money from discretionary or field of interest funds would be used to further a particular religious doctrine. For more information, visit CFBC

The Town of Avon accepts applications for community grant funding from non-profit organizations that provide programs and services in the areas of arts, culture, education, environment, health, heritage, housing, human services and recreation. Donor Name: Town of Avon State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Town has identified housing, food insecurity and childcare as the top three needs to address through 2025 Community Grant Program funding. The overall intent of this program is to provide financial support to programs and services that benefit the Avon community which are not otherwise provided through the Town of Avon municipal government. Funding Information Grant requests may not exceed $10,000 per organization. Eligibility Criteria  Applications must meet the following minimum requirements to eligible:  Applications must be complete and received by the Closing Date. The applicant must be a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization in good standing with the IRS, State of Colorado and Town of Avon, and all funding-related local, state and federal agencies. The applicant must be registered as a Colorado nonprofit organization with the Colorado Secretary of State and be organized in the State of Colorado in order to be considered a nonprofit organization. The application must propose a service or program that is offered to and benefits the Avon community, including residents and businesses.  Grant funds may not be used for political or religious purposes. For more information, visit Town of Avon.

This program provides funding to local organizations and governments in Colorado to develop strategies for protecting river resources without federal designation, supporting projects like planning and restoration efforts.

The City of Boulder is seeking applications for its 2025 Human Services Fund. Donor Name: City of Boulder State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Through the Human Services Fund (HSF), the City of Boulder invests resources in improving well-being for community members experiencing social or economic disparities. An annual allocation from the city’s general fund serves as the source for this grant program. The HSF supports programs and service delivery that promote the following shared outcomes: Increased economic stability, mobility, and resilience (e.g., employment, financial assistance, benefits or other earnings, financial literacy, or other forms of self-sufficiency assistance). Increase the ability for people to obtain and maintain housing (e.g., rental assistance, legal representation for housing, pathways to housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, other services that help with housing retention). Advance personal growth, development and leadership potential (e.g., childcare; child, teen or adult academic support; youth, adult or older adult training; language access) Increase safe environment for people with diverse identities (e.g., through advocacy, legal representation, protection from violence or other form of vulnerability). Increase positive physical, mental or behavioral health and wellbeing (e.g., direct health care, wellness, food security or nutrition, social connectivity). Increased ability among community members to access critical services (e.g., transportation, digital divide, culturally centered assistance programs, independent living). Funding Information Proposals must request a minimum of $10,000 with at least $8,000 in eligible program expenses. Grant Period January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. Proposal Criteria  Proposals submitted in response to this RFP will be evaluated based on whether the proposed program:  Benefits people experiencing systemic socio-economic barriers or disparities; have been historically excluded and/or are in need of basic needs assistance;  Has leadership (agency board, staff and volunteers) that reflects the demographic diversity of clients served Aligns with a selected human services outcome;  Demonstrates sound research, evidence-based best practices;  Values lived experience, cultural knowledge and wisdom;  Demonstrates strong and long-term evaluation of outcomes, or the potential for such evaluation;  Meaningfully engages community members experiencing 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. Eligibility Criteria  Through the HSF, the city will fund programs rather than entire organizations, institutions, or agencies. Eligible programs may be located in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or public or private educational organizations (i.e., pre-K-12 school or college/university. Businesses and for-profit agencies should not apply.’ Ineligibility  The Human Services Fund (HSF) does not support:  Arts, cultural, sport and/or recreation programs;  One-time presentations, events, activities, advocacy, outreach, or marketing campaigns that are not directly associated with ongoing human services programming;  General staff training or professional development programs outside of data collection, evaluation, or systems integration work;  Outreach and educational campaigns that do not include long-term evaluation;  Contributions to a political campaign or committee for a candidate or ballot measure;  Political lobbying or political advocacy campaigns to promote legislation or specific governmental policies, or express advocacy as defined in Boulder Revised Code section 13-2-2; Programs that cannot be directly linked to specific outcomes and indicators;  General operating funds or expenses (e.g., general salaries of staff not directly involved in providing services for the proposed program, rent/mortgage, utilities, professional development, fundraising, or other expenses) that are not directly related to carrying out the program;  Programs that cannot demonstrate established data collection or evaluation activities;  Individual applicants;  Programs proposing the same activities that are currently supported by other City of Boulder Department of Housing and Human Services funding1; or  Programs that are heavily reliant on a single funder, including the City of Boulder; or do not have a plan to request funding from other sources. For more information, visit City of Boulder.

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 program provides funding to local government agencies and organizations in Colorado to upgrade or replace pump-out stations for recreational motorboats, helping to protect water quality and aquatic wildlife.

Through this Letter of interest(LOI) process, Belonging Colorado is seeking community-based organizations, local governments, and other community-focused entities to participate in the inaugural cohort of Belonging Colorado partners. Donor Name: The Denver Foundation State: Colorado County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Belonging Colorado is a timely effort to bring together Coloradans across lines of difference. The goal is to foster greater belonging across state so all can thrive. They seek to invest in good ideas for building connections among people of different races, religions, ethnic groups, socioeconomic statuses, ages, and more. The state is not immune to the trends of social division and disconnection affecting nation as a whole. At a time of intense social, economic, and environmental challenges, Coloradans must work effectively across differences to support state’s long-term health, resilience, and well-being. Funding Information $15,000 planning grant. Opportunity for $50,000- 250,000 implementation grant. Eligibility Criteria  Your work must connect with the missions or purpose of the fund. Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, governmental entity, or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Your organizations must do work in Colorado. You must have strong, trusted relationships with others working in your community and a track record of supporting community-driven work. You must commit to modeling the work by working collaboratively with individuals and organizations that are different from you. Selection Criteria  In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements above, applicants will be selected based on their:  Commitment to building connections across difference Proposed program’s alignment, feasibility, creativity, and potential for impact Experience engaging with groups and individuals with differing views, backgrounds, and lived experiences Willingness to receive feedback and iterate on their idea Commitment to participating fully in the Community of Practice, including consistent attendance and active engagement during trainings, as well as clear intention to submit a proposal to implement your program throughout 2025 and 2026 For more information, visit The Denver Foundation.

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

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities in El Paso and Teller Counties, Colorado, to promote healthy environments through initiatives that enhance physical activity, improve access to nutritious food, and support affordable housing solutions.

The Boulder County is now accepting applications for its Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant Program. Donor Name: Boulder County State: Colorado County: Boulder County (CO) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/06/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Strategic Fuels Mitigation Grant Program (SFMG) is funded by the county’s voter-approved wildfire mitigation sales and use tax, which went into effect in 2023. It provides cost-share funding through competitive grants to leverage other federal, state, and local funding sources. The purpose of these funds is to support large landscape and community-wide forest and grassland management projects to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, protect water supplies, and promote resilient ecosystems. Funding Information There is a $2.4 million budget for 2024, distributed over 2 cycles. Of this amount, planning grants will be capped at $250,000. The county will fund up to five (5) planning proposals annually, at a maximum of $50,000 each. What Can Funding Be Used For? Forest Fuels Mitigation Grants: Creation or maintenance of fuel breaks Fuels reduction by various appropriate methods, including mechanical thinning, prescribed fire, and others, designed to protect water supplies and/or reduce potential fire intensity Removal of saleable woody materials with specific utilization plans The removal/disposal of slash and non-merchantable materials using methods such as chipping, mulching, grinding, pile burning, broadcast burning or mechanical removal Cross-boundary projects that may include private, local government, and federal lands Grassland Fuels Mitigation Grants: Fuels reduction by various appropriate methods including mowing, grazing, or prescribed fire Mitigation on private lands as a multi-homeowner project (e.g., community/HOA common areas, privately owned green spaces/beltways) Local government open space management projects with the objectives of mitigating wildfire risks Ditch fuels reduction projects Cross-boundary projects that may include private, local government, and federal lands Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs): Updates to existing plans or development of new plans. Eligibility Criteria  The following organizations may apply: Local government entities in Boulder County Private utilities, ditch companies, and water providers State agencies that own or manage land in Boulder County Homeowners Associations Non-profit organizations In addition, applicants must: Be able to function as the fiscal agent and have legal authority to administer and/or implement treatments in the proposed project area(s). Confirm that participating landowner(s) agree to the project’s scope of work and grant’s reporting and monitoring requirements. For more information, visit Boulder County.

The City of Fort Collins and the Department of Neighborhood Services seek to promote positive neighboring activities and community improvements by providing financial assistance through neighborhood grants. Donor Name: City of Fort Collins State: Colorado City: Fort Collins Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/26/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: These grants are intended to encourage community resiliency by fulfilling needs identified by neighbors using solutions developed by neighbors. The projects funded by neighborhood grants reflect the City’s dedication to bring people together, to serve underrepresented communities, and to encourage sustainable choices. Types of Projects Many different types of projects can be awarded funding, ranging from cleanup events to community gardens to sustainable block parties and more! Neighborhood Services encourages creative ideas to help make your neighborhoods better and to encourage connections between neighbors. Funding Information Around $150-$1000. Eligibility Criteria Residents, residents associations, homeowners associations, and nonprofits within Fort Collins city boundaries are all eligible to apply. For more information, visit City of Fort Collins.