Community Fund Grants
2026 Community Fund Grant Dates:
Intersections Grant LOI: June 15 – July 2
Intersections Grant Application (by invitation only): July 28 – August 23
Community Grant Application: July 28 – August 23
Decisions: Late October
What are Community Fund Grants?
NoCo Foundation's Community Funds support organizations working to address the most pressing needs across Berthoud, Estes Valley, Fort Collins, and Loveland. These grants are made possible by generous donors who have chosen to invest in the long-term strength of their communities.
Because these funds are limited (roughly 2% of NoCo Foundation's total grantmaking), we focus on making them as impactful as possible by directing funding toward priority areas identified through regional data and community input.
Each year, organizations may apply for funding through one of two grant opportunities: Intersections Grants or Community Grants. The sections below will help you determine which option is the best fit for your organization.
GRANTS AND PROGRAM DISTRIBUTIONS
The majority of our grants are made from Donor Advised and Designated funds; typically less than 2% of our annual distributions are made as part of our competitive grant cycles, which are described on this page.
Start Here: Which grant type fits your organization?
Grant Type Comparison: Intersections vs Community
You may apply for either an Intersections Grant or a Community Grant each year. The table below can help you determine which option is the best fit for your organization.
| Intersections Grant | Community Grant | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A larger, community-focused general operating grant for organizations whose work strongly aligns with one or more of the community’s priority areas. | A smaller, more accessible general operating grant designed to support organizations with more modest funding needs. |
| Typical award size | Averages around $20,000. Final amounts and number of awards vary each year and are confirmed in mid-July. | Typically ranges from $2,500–$5,000. Final amounts and number of awards vary each year and are confirmed in mid-July. |
| Application process | Two-step process: 1. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) 2. Selected organizations are invited to submit a full application Organizations not invited to move forward may still apply for a Community Grant. |
Single-step process: Submit a full application No LOI required. |
| Who it is best suited for | Organizations with clearly demonstrated impact in the community and strong alignment with priority areas, seeking a larger general operating investment. | Organizations seeking a smaller grant amount, or those earlier in their funding journey with the Community Fund process. |
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a Community Fund grant, your organization must meet the following:
- Apply for only one grant type per year (Intersections or Community)
- Apply within one community per year
- Clearly demonstrate impact in the community where you are applying
- Align with the funding priorities for that specific community
- Be one of the following:
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- A fiscally sponsored organization
- A government or quasi-government entity (see exception below)
- No outstanding follow-up reports for previous NoCo Foundation grants
What We Do Not Fund
The following are not eligible for funding:
- Individuals
- Lobbying or political campaigns
- Special events or fundraising events
- Religious proselytization
- Businesses or for-profit entities
- Private foundations
2026 Exception:
Government and quasi-government organizations are not eligible to apply for grants within Loveland.
You Are Still Eligible If…
The following will not disqualify your organization:
- Organizational size or budget: (Note: Community Grants are intended for smaller-scale funding requests, but there is no strict budget threshold)
- Previous funding: Organizations may receive funding in multiple years
- Program type: All Community Fund grants are for general operating support
2026 Funding Priority Areas by Community
Our funding priorities are based on the Northern Colorado Intersections Report, developed in partnership with Colorado State University, and informed by ongoing input from local community members.
Together, this work helps ensure funding is aligned with the most pressing and interconnected needs across the region.
Berthoud
Intersections and Community Grants
Affordable Housing
Aging Population
Childcare
Mental Health
Social Connectivity & Belonging
Estes Valley
Intersections Grant
Affordable Housing
Aging Population
Childcare
Mental Health
Social Connectivity & Belonging
Community Grant
Affordable Housing
Aging Population
Childcare
Food Security (Community Grant ONLY)
Mental Health
Social Connectivity & Belonging
Fort Collins
Intersections Grant
Affordable Housing
Childcare
Mental Health
Community Grant
Affordable Housing
Childcare
Conservation (Community Grant ONLY)
Mental Health
Loveland
Intersections and Community Grants
Childcare
Housing
Mental Health
Workforce
2025 Community Fund Grant Stats
| Intersections Grant | # LOIs Received | # Applications Received | # Orgs Funded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berthoud | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Estes Valley | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Fort Collins | 57 | 6 | 4 |
| Loveland | 22 | 6 | 2 |
| Community Grant | # Applications Received | # Organizations Funded |
|---|---|---|
| Berthoud | 8 | 6 |
| Estes Valley | 8 | 6 |
| Fort Collins | 61 | 15 |
| Loveland | 23 | 3 |
Intersections Grant Average Grant Amount
Community Grant Average Grant Amount
Applications are closed, the process will begin on June 15.
You must apply through our grant portal, if you have trouble accessing an existing account or creating one, email grants@nocofoundation.org.
Grantseeker FAQ
Additional Grant Opportunities
GroupGives
The GroupGives Fund serves as the charitable arm of The Group Real Estate. The fund was founded to help people get into and stay in their homes through education, home maintenance/improvement, and financial assistance. Grants from the fund support organizations and programs that promote this mission. GroupGives Grant applications are accepted from January 1 to March 31 and awarded in May. GroupGives Impact Grant applications are accepted from July 1 to July 31 and awarded in September.
Kayla Marie Adsit Memorial Foundation
The Kayla Marie Adsit Memorial Foundation Fund was founded in 2009 with the vision that one day, all school-age children in the Fort Collins, Colorado area will have equal access to a quality music education and the music programs at their schools or nonprofit organizations will be thriving learning and cultural performance centers.
The Kayla Marie Adsit Memorial Foundation Fund is a component fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado and operates a semi-annual grant cycle. Grant funding is made through grants to individual schools, or other non-profits, for the purpose of supporting their students / clients. The fall application cycle is August 1 – October 1. The spring application cycle is December 1 – February 1. You can request up to $500.00.
NoCo CARES
(Community Awareness of Resources, Enrichment, and Services)
The mission of NoCo CARES is to promote awareness of philanthropic needs in Northern Colorado and inspire others to make a difference in the community. NoCo CARES, in partnership with TPC Colorado, hosts quarterly gatherings featuring local nonprofit organizations. Attendees receive an opportunity to learn about the mission and vision behind various local nonprofits as well as an awareness of the needs within our community and ways to help (monetary, volunteer opportunities, or otherwise). Visit the NoCo CARES page for more information.
