The Community Foundation of Northern Colorado creates transformational community impact by inspiring philanthropy and engaging the region. We value fostering collaboration and inspiring community action, serving as a trusted steward, and creating a more engaged, philanthropic, & visionary community.
Through its grantmaking, the Foundation aims to:
- Support strategic, transformational, or catalytic projects
- Support high-impact work resulting in meaningful outcomes
- Encourage collaboration among nonprofit organizations
Grants awarded from the community funds listed below must be used for the benefit of residents of that community.
Funding approaches and available funds vary between our four communities. In addition to the broadly stated Foundation goals above, some communities have additional specific priorities and guidelines. Please review your community’s grant guidelines below for more detail.
Important note on the 2024 grant cycle
The competitive process of the Community Foundation grants is paused through early 2024 as Foundation staff and Community Fund Committee volunteers evaluate the current process. More information will be shared in May 2024. Questions? Email [email protected].
Communities
- Berthoud
- Organizations may apply for a grant up to $10,000; grants awarded in recent years have ranged from $1,000 – $5,000.
- Estes
- Organizations may apply for a grant up to $15,000; grants awarded in recent years have ranged from $500 – $10,000.
- In addition to the broadly stated Foundation goals above, special funding is available for:
- Affordable/workforce housing
- Vulnerable families and individuals
- Big Thompson Canyon history, preservation, recreation, and education
- Fort Collins
- Organizations may apply for a grant up to $25,000; grants awarded in recent years have ranged from $1,500 – $25,000.
- In addition to the broadly stated Foundation goals above, special funding is available for:
- Youth programs
- Senior programs
- Educational opportunities
- Health and human services
- Dental health (can support throughout Larimer County)
- Loveland
- Organizations may apply for a grant up to $25,000; grants awarded in recent years have ranged from $2,500 – $25,000.
- In addition to the broadly stated Foundation goals above, preference will be given to projects that are high impact and transformational which are also capital projects for:
- Support and education of downtown revitalization and development
- Youth programs
- Educational opportunities
- Sterling
- Grant applications are by invitation from the committee, and grant requirements can be viewed online here.
- For more information, visit the Sterling Community Fund webpage.
- Please contact John Chapdelaine at (970) 580-1013 or [email protected] with questions.
Grantseeker Frequently Asked Questions
- Is my organization eligible to apply for a grant?
The Community Foundation makes grants to 501c(3) charitable entities, educational institutions, churches, or government entities that are in good standing with the IRS. If you are group, club, association, or organization that does NOT fit this criteria, but are seeking funding for a charitable project, consider partnering with a 501c(3) OR government agency that can be your fiscal sponsor and apply on your group’s behalf.
- Are there entities or proposal types that will not be considered?
The Foundation typically does not fund:
- Individuals
- Businesses/for-profit companies
- Private foundations
- Political lobbying/candidate campaigns for political office
- Sponsorships, tables, or tickets for special events or fundraising events
- Debt retirement/deficit financing
- How often can I apply/reapply?
Due to limited funding available, nonprofits should not expect or depend upon receiving grant support. Preference will be given to organizations that have not received a grant in the last 12 months. Also of note, we are pausing the competitive process for Community Foundation grants through early 2024 as Foundation staff and Community Fund Committee volunteers evaluate the current process. More information will be shared in May 2024.
- Where can I complete my grant reporting following a grant award?
All grant reporting will now be within the Grant Portal. You’ll see a link to your grant “follow-up” assignments on your applicant dashboard.
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. Apply for a grant.
Loveland Generations
The Loveland Generations Fund was founded in 2000 to support projects and organizations that benefit Loveland residents. Preference is given to proposals that specifically serve Loveland youth. The 2023 cycle will also focus on projects that center on people experiencing homelessness, especially youth. Applications for the 2023 cycle will be accepted from July 3-28. Apply for a grant.
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. Begin your grant application here.
NoCo CARES (Community Awareness of Resources, Enrichment, and Services)
The mission of NoCo CARES is to promote awareness of philanthropic needs in Northern Colorado as we aim to educate and inspire others to make a difference in our 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.
