Colorado Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Mesa County that provide essential health and human services focused on fostering healthy communities, financial security, and youth opportunities.

The Caring for Denver Foundation is offering the "Alternatives to Jail" grant, aligning with its mission to address mental health and substance misuse conditions, particularly in relation to the criminal legal system. This initiative seeks to prevent unnecessary interactions with law enforcement, provide support within jail or prison systems, and offer culturally responsive community-based services for those impacted by the criminal legal system. The program is a direct manifestation of the Foundation's strategic priorities, aiming to foster a healthier and more supportive environment for Denver residents by reducing the reliance on incarceration for individuals with these conditions. The grant targets Denver residents, including those physically residing full-time in the city, individuals experiencing homelessness within the city, minors in the custody of Denver Human Services, minors in the primary legal and residency custody of a City resident, and non-City residents placed in mental health/substance abuse programs within a City Jail. The overarching impact goal is to improve mental health and substance misuse outcomes, reduce criminal legal system involvement for these populations, and enhance access to appropriate care and support. The foundation seeks to achieve measurable results through projects that demonstrate improved access to care, increased feelings of understanding and respect in care settings, and smoother transitions between care phases, ultimately leading to greater stability and reduced recidivism. The Foundation prioritizes projects that address Denver's mental health and substance misuse challenges across three key areas: Inclusive Access, Attention to Fit, and Care Over Time. Inclusive Access focuses on making care and support accessible in ways that are convenient, comfortable, and tailored to individual schedules, promoting participation and skill-building. Attention to Fit emphasizes culturally designed and matched care options, ensuring individuals feel understood and respected, and also supports the mental health of care providers. Care Over Time aims to improve care transitions, minimize disruptions, and increase stability, especially during critical periods like re-entry into the community from the criminal legal system. These focus areas reflect the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that by improving access, cultural relevance, and continuity of care, individuals will experience better outcomes and reduced entanglement with the criminal legal system. The total funding available for this grant area is $14.4 million, with a minimum of $4.8 million allocated to City and County of Denver agencies. Applicants, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (or those fiscally sponsored by one), Indian or Native American entities, and government-supported entities, are encouraged to consider the total available amount when making their requests. The Foundation will evaluate grant budgets for reasonableness and consider prior grant history in allocation decisions. By strategically distributing these funds to eligible organizations and agencies, the Caring for Denver Foundation expects to see a significant positive impact on mental health and substance misuse challenges within the Denver community, contributing to a more equitable and supportive environment for all residents.

This grant provides matching funds to nonprofit and locally-owned newsrooms in Colorado to support their year-end fundraising campaigns, helping them raise awareness and financial support for public service journalism in their communities.

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

The Rose Community Foundation is offering a grant opportunity focused on supporting nonprofit organizations engaged in equity-focused policy and advocacy work within the Greater Denver region. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement in local communities, particularly those furthest from opportunity. The foundation seeks to fund a diverse array of organizations working at both state and local levels, pursuing various short- or long-term policy objectives across a broad spectrum of issues. This grant cycle specifically aims to strengthen the dynamic ecosystem of organizations that leverage policy and advocacy to create equitable conditions for local communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are nonprofit organizations—both 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 those advancing statewide policy efforts that directly benefit this catchment area. The impact goals are centered on supporting policy efforts that address systemic inequities, representing a wide range of approaches, perspectives, and populations served. The foundation's strategic priority is to empower organizations that actively work to create conditions for equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement for communities facing significant barriers. The program prioritizes organizations whose work directly involves policy and advocacy. While general operating support will be the most common form of funding to provide maximum flexibility, program or project support is available for organizations whose primary focus isn't policy and advocacy but are pursuing policy-specific initiatives. Organizations conducting national or multi-state work must apply for program funding, ensuring grant dollars are exclusively allocated to local or statewide activities within the specified region. Additionally, organizations applying on behalf of a coalition or 501(c)(4) organizations must also apply for program funding to differentiate from partisan or candidate work. Expected outcomes include a strengthened and more effective network of organizations advocating for equitable policies in the Greater Denver area. The foundation anticipates supporting diverse policy efforts that lead to tangible improvements in conditions for communities furthest from opportunity. Measurable results will likely involve the number and type of policy initiatives supported, the reach and impact of advocacy efforts, and the ability of funded organizations to effectively engage in policy work. Organizations receiving program or project support will be required to report direct and grassroots lobbying expenses, as applicable, contributing to the measurable outcomes and accountability of the grant program.

This grant provides funding to Colorado artists, activists, and organizations to implement projects that use the arts to promote social justice and improve community welfare.

The Arts in Society Grant, funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), aims to leverage the arts to address civic and social challenges within Colorado communities. This program aligns with a broader mission of fostering community development and social justice through creative engagement, recognizing the arts as a powerful tool for societal change and problem-solving. The grant offers both financial and organizational support, indicating a commitment to not only fund projects but also to nurture the growth and impact of participating artists and organizations. The target beneficiaries for this grant are broad, encompassing Colorado artists, activists, nonprofit organizations, universities and schools, government agencies, human service groups, neighborhood organizations, and healthcare organizations. The program particularly encourages applications from individual artists and non-arts organizations, emphasizing inclusivity and a cross-sector approach. The impact goals are centered on empowering these diverse groups to collaborate on projects where artists, organizations, and a target community work together to address specific social issues, ultimately leading to positive community transformation. The program's priorities and focuses include fostering collaboration, building support networks, and illustrating the impact of arts in cross-sector projects. Grantees are expected to attend learning community meetings to build support and share resources, underscoring a strategic priority of community building and knowledge exchange among participants. Another key focus is the promotion of grantee work through various marketing channels, highlighting the program's commitment to showcasing successful initiatives and advocating for the value of arts in society. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful completion of projects within 24 months, with an emphasis on projects that demonstrably engage a social issue and involve collaborative efforts. The mini-documentary highlighting grantee work and participation in evaluation processes are crucial mechanisms for measuring and illustrating the impacts of the arts in these cross-sector endeavors. This suggests a strategic priority of OEDIT to document and disseminate the effectiveness of arts-based solutions to civic and social challenges, thereby validating and expanding the theory of change that art can be a catalyst for tangible societal improvement.

This grant path focuses on the prevention of unintentional and intentional firearm-related harm through education and community outreach specifically around safe storage and Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs). The goal is to reduce unauthorized firearm access and educate at-risk individuals and their communities about temporary out-of-home gun storage options. Projects under this path should focus on promoting, educating, and providing access to firearm safe storage and/or lethal means counseling. Additionally, they should educate the public on ERPOs as a legal mechanism for temporarily reducing access to firearms for individuals deemed at risk of harming themselves or others. Grants are targeted towards organizations that can deliver these educational services effectively within Colorado communities. Applicants must attend a pre-application webinar

The Rose Community Foundation is offering a grant opportunity to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Denver region, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson counties, or those advancing statewide policy efforts benefiting this area. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement by supporting organizations engaged in equity-focused policy and advocacy work. The foundation seeks to fund a diverse array of organizations with varying approaches, perspectives, and populations served, working at local or state levels, and pursuing both short-term and long-term policy objectives. The grant program targets a diverse ecosystem of organizations in Greater Denver that leverage policy and advocacy to create conditions for equity for communities furthest from opportunity. The funding aims to achieve impact goals related to advancing equity and justice through strategic policy changes. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the foundation's emphasis on policy and advocacy work implies an expectation of policy changes, improved systemic equity, and increased engagement of underserved populations as outcomes. Organizations receiving program or project support will be required to report direct and grassroots lobbying expenses, indicating a focus on demonstrable advocacy efforts. The foundation's strategic priorities revolve around supporting policy efforts across a range of issues, ensuring a broad spectrum of approaches and populations are represented. The theory of change appears to be that by funding diverse organizations engaged in policy and advocacy, they can drive systemic changes that lead to greater equity, justice, inclusion, and engagement for local communities. This is evident in their support for general operating expenses to maximize flexibility for policy and advocacy work, as well as program-specific funding for organizations where advocacy is not their primary focus. Funding amounts typically range from $15,000 to $75,000, with most grant durations being one year. Eligibility extends to 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s or fiscally sponsored projects, provided they serve the seven-county Greater Denver region or advance statewide policy efforts benefiting this area. Local, municipal, state, and federal government agencies are not eligible. The foundation also outlines specific conditions for organizations that have received prior funding or have active multi-year grants, encouraging consultation with their grantmaking team for eligibility clarification. This structured approach aims to maximize the grant's impact within their strategic framework.

The Rose Community Foundation's Jewish Life Grant Program aims to support organizations and programs that reflect Greater Denver's diverse Jewish communities. The program seeks to offer meaningful and relevant opportunities for engagement in Jewish life while welcoming diverse individuals, families, and practices. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster a thriving Jewish community and contribute to social well-being in the region. The target beneficiaries are organizations and programs serving the seven-county Greater Denver community, specifically focusing on Jewish people within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties. The impact goals include strengthening Jewish organizations, promoting diverse engagement in Jewish life, and advancing social justice through Jewish values and traditions. The program prioritizes efforts to increase the organizational strength and capacity of Jewish organizations working in the seven-county Denver metro area. It also focuses on programs and projects that are reflective of diverse Jewish communities and offer meaningful opportunities for engagement. Additionally, Jewish initiatives seeking to advance social justice by engaging Jewish people and using Jewish values to respond to key social and economic issues are a priority. Expected outcomes include enhanced organizational capacity within Jewish organizations, increased and more diverse participation in Jewish life, and a greater impact on social justice issues through Jewish-led initiatives. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the program implies a focus on growth in organizational strength, community engagement, and social impact. The foundation's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this program, revolve around supporting and strengthening the Jewish community in Greater Denver. Their theory of change appears to be that by investing in the capacity of Jewish organizations, fostering diverse engagement, and supporting social justice initiatives rooted in Jewish values, they can create a more vibrant, inclusive, and impactful Jewish community that positively addresses broader societal challenges.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for individuals or organizations that create educational programs aimed at improving safety for workers and the public during excavation activities in Colorado.

OAJJA: Behavioral Health Information and Data Sharing Grant Program Overview: The Behavioral Health Information and Data Sharing Grant Program provides funding to support county jails in onboarding and integrating with the Colorado Trusted Interoperability Platform (CTIP). This initiative aims to exchange behavioral health, housing, and demographic information with the Colorado Integrated Criminal Justice Information System (CICJIS) to ensure continuity of care for individuals transitioning between criminal justice agencies and the community. Funding Details: Amount Available: $1,547,728 Award Period: December 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026 Match: Match is not required for this funding Restrictions: Supplanting of funds is not allowed. Program Description: Purpose of the Funds: The goal of the Behavioral Health Information and Data Sharing Grant Program, established by SB22-196, is to facilitate the exchange of behavioral health, housing, and demographic information with CICJIS. This exchange will be accomplished by establishing an information exchange platform within CICJIS to improve criminal justice, health, and safety outcomes. Statutory Authority: 24-33.5-532. Behavioral health information and data-sharing in the criminal justice system. Eligibility: Every Colorado county is eligible for a grant. Counties lacking an existing electronic jail management system infrastructure may face challenges in completing required activities. Eligible Activities: Integrating county jail data systems with CICJIS. Standardizing client-specific information through common data fields. Automating data reporting required by state and federal law. Required Application Components: All grant applications must address the following: Justifiable project costs. Plans to use technology meeting state standards. Addition of all data exchange requirements to the applicant's jail management system. Acknowledgment of the conditional nature of funding based on acceptance of the CICJIS participation agreement. Technical Assistance and Resources: The Office of Research and Statistics (ORS) provides technical assistance for the program. General technical support for the grant application process is available through webinars, office hours, and other means on the ORS website. Additional resources include a project conceptual document, the CICJIS Participation Agreement, FAQs, and applicant resources. Evaluation: Funding decisions involve consultation with relevant stakeholders. Applications will be evaluated based on: Capacity to integrate with the interoperability platform. Explanation of proposed processes for meeting eligible activities. Demonstration of justifiable costs. Denied applications may submit appeals within three days, focusing on clarifying information specific to the denial reasons. How To Apply: Applications must be completed and submitted through Colorado’s online application system, ZoomGrants, by Thursday, May 16, 2024, 5:00 PM MST. Inquiries regarding ZoomGrants can be directed to [email protected].

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.

The Public Welfare Foundation's Grant Program aims to support community-led, restorative, and racially just approaches to justice in the United States. The focus areas include innovative criminal justice reform in specific states and cities, dismantling structures that have harmed people of color, investing in community-based solutions to reduce mass incarceration, and reframing the narrative around the U.S. criminal justice system through storytelling and journalism.

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 supports Colorado newsrooms in organizing community engagement events to connect with diverse local residents, address their concerns, and foster trust between journalists and the communities they serve.

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 supports nonprofit organizations in the Greater Denver area that focus on policy and advocacy efforts to improve access and opportunities for underserved communities.

This program provides financial assistance to local law enforcement, tribal governments, and district attorneys for investigating and prosecuting illegal marijuana operations, particularly in rural areas and those linked to organized crime.