Best Adams County Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

The Connie Burwell and William W. White Foundation focuses on enhancing the Denver metro community by funding education, the arts, and human welfare initiatives. They prioritize programs that bridge opportunity gaps for students and foster cultural access for under-resourced populations. Support is exclusively for 501(c)(3) organizations, with a commitment to non-discrimination. Their aim is to strengthen community ties and improve the quality of life through targeted investments.

Adams County, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, which offer US $5,000 - US $30,000 for projects in safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. Eligible programs must primarily serve communities on the Union Pacific service list and demonstrate strong DEI commitments.

Brinker International provides Adams County, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits with monetary or in-kind dining certificate support for programs serving children, youth, and hunger relief. Eligible organizations must focus on kids, hunger, or education-related services and submit requests online at least six weeks before their event; donations are limited to once per calendar year.

Nonprofits, local or state organizations, and institutions of higher education in Adams County, Colorado can seek funding to support regional economic development planning and local technical assistance. Focused on economic services and job creation, the Economic Development Administration offers up to US $300,000 for CEDS development, feasibility studies, impact analyses, and resiliency or project planning.

Impact100 Metro Denver offers a transformative $100,000 grant aimed at empowering Denver-area non-profits to enhance their mission and community impact. With a focus on underserved populations, this initiative encourages innovative solutions across various sectors, including arts, education, health, and social services. By fostering a community of informed women philanthropists, the program not only provides funding but also promotes engagement in local needs, ensuring that the grant supports sustainable and meaningful projects.

Adams County CO Community Enrichment Grants

The Community Enrichment Grant (CEG) is a competitive Adams County grant program that provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, school districts, and special districts to operate programs and services that improve the health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of underserved, marginalized, or vulnerable Adams County residents.

Grant funds must be used to directly serve Adams County residents, and funding requests must be based on the actual cost to deliver services through the proposed project.

The Community Enrichment Grant is a competitive funding opportunity, and demand typically exceeds available resources. In recent years, approximately 25% of submitted applications have been recommended for funding.

Funding priorities for the Community Enrichment Grant are established annually by the BoCC and may change from year to year based on community needs, available resources, and county priorities.

Tier 2: Food Security

Tier 2 supports projects that exclusively focus on direct food provision to address food insecurity. Funding is intended for programs that purchase food, distribute meals or food boxes, operate or expand food pantries, or otherwise deliver direct food assistance to individuals and families.

Total Available:

• $600,000

Award Size:

• $50,000–$150,000

The PLTW Gateway program, supported by Phillips 66, aims to enhance educational equity by providing academic training in STEM fields for middle school students. The initiative focuses on empowering girls and people of color, fostering exploration of STEM pathways. Eligible schools can receive grants to start or expand their PLTW Gateway programs, ensuring they offer at least two different units over two years. Funding support includes $20,000 to enhance educational resources and training.

The Civic Fabric Fund, managed by The Denver Foundation, invites eligible nonprofits to apply for funding to support state and local policy advocacy. This initiative aims to enhance community engagement and coalition building in the Metro Denver area. Organizations may apply for either general operating or program-specific grants. Priority is given to efforts that focus on grassroots coalition-building and community engagement, addressing local issues outlined in the foundation’s policy principles.

Nonprofit public charities, public education institutions, government entities, and Canadian municipalities serving Weyerhaeuser communities, including Adams County, Colorado, can seek funding for local community programs. Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund supports initiatives in affordable housing, education and youth development, environmental stewardship, human services, civic and cultural growth, workforce development, and diversity, equity and inclusion, with awards of more than US $1,000.

Black-led, Black-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Adams County, Colorado can apply for $2,500 - $25,000 from the Denver Foundation’s BRIC Fund to cover operations and respond to emerging community needs. Eligible groups serve the seven-county Metro Denver area and address priorities like health, housing, economic opportunity, racial justice, or youth programs for Black communities.

The Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program by the City of Aurora aims to enhance neighborhood aesthetics and strengthen community bonds. With $60K available and grants up to $5,000, the program supports projects like clean-up events, message boards, benches, and gardens. Eligible applicants include neighborhood organizations and residents, with a requirement of at least three households participating. The initiative focuses on projects that benefit the community and foster positive interactions, promoting pride and identity within neighborhoods.

ConocoPhillips Charitable Investments focus on Water and Biodiversity Stewardship, promoting conservation and restoration of ecosystems. The initiative emphasizes collaboration with communities and organizations to enhance biodiversity, improve water availability, and foster innovative conservation practices. Proposals are evaluated based on their alignment with long-term conservation goals, community engagement, and innovative approaches. Eligible organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt charities or government subdivisions, while ineligible entities include those advancing political causes or engaging in discriminatory practices.

The PLTW Engineering Program Expansion by Burns and McDonnell aims to enhance STEM education in eligible communities. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Engineering programs, providing students with hands-on experiences and essential skills. The program focuses on empowering students through new courses and teacher training, ensuring access for underrepresented populations. By fostering excitement around STEM, Burns and McDonnell is committed to shaping the future workforce and enhancing educational opportunities in critical areas.

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to public and charter schools in specific counties. This initiative empowers students to engage with real-world challenges through hands-on learning experiences. Eligible schools must offer PLTW Engineering courses, ensuring access to quality education for students from diverse backgrounds. With a total grant of $40,000 over two years, this program seeks to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

The PLTW Computer Science program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education in various communities by funding schools to implement PLTW courses. This partnership promotes student engagement with real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers in technology. With a total grant of $20,000, schools must offer multiple PLTW courses over two years, ensuring access to quality education for underserved populations.

Burns and McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned firm, partners with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to enhance access to STEM education. By expanding PLTW Computer Science programs in local schools, they aim to engage students in real-world challenges and equip them with essential skills. Eligible schools must be located in specific counties and serve a majority of students from low-income backgrounds. This initiative supports the growth of STEM education, fostering a brighter future for communities through enhanced learning opportunities.

Ent Credit Union

Ent’s mission is to improve our members’ financial quality of life. We make the communities we serve more vibrant and believe it is part of our responsibility to make a lasting, positive impact through our work as a financial cooperative and as a philanthropic partner. We foster mutually supportive relationships with, and strive to amplify the message of, the charitable organizations we support. 

Community Advocacy

By definition, a “community advocate” has a vested interest in the development of a neighborhood or community. At Ent, we believe that being an advocate for the numerous neighborhoods and communities we serve across the Front Range is crucial for our communities to thrive. 

Helping our communities across Colorado

For decades, Ent has contributed millions of dollars to support communities across Colorado as a part of our mission to improve our members’ financial quality of life. As a “community advocate” we have a vested interest in supporting the communities where our owner-members live, work and play.

We are partnering with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation to help us raise awareness of the funding available to organizations through Ent, identify volunteer opportunities for Ent employees and to maximize the impact of our financial contributions.

Ent provides funding to various nonprofits along the Front Range that fall into any of the following impact categories:

• Youth: Primary program impact focuses on children under the age of 18 with emphasis on impact in housing, food, behavioral and/or mental health.
• Education: Primary program impact supports classroom learning at all levels, with an emphasis on organizations that design and manage these educational initiatives. For higher education, the focus is primarily on providing scholarships to students attending Colorado-based universities and community colleges.
• Community: Primary program impact addresses major community issues with a focus on community enrichment, food banks, homelessness, and/or poverty.
• Legacy: Primary program impact does not fit into any categories above but may continue to receive support based on Ent’s Colorado Springs heritage.

Applicants who have received Community Advocacy and/or YES Grants funding within the same calendar year may still qualify for an additional grant. However, if funding is limited, priority will be given to new applicants. Applicants may reapply if their initial application is denied.

The PLTW Launch program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM education within eligible communities. This initiative will provide grants to schools that implement at least one PLTW Launch module in the 2025-2026 academic year, followed by another module in subsequent years. The program is designed to empower students with hands-on learning experiences that connect real-world challenges to essential skills, fostering a stronger future in STEM fields.

The PLTW Gateway program, in collaboration with Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to Project Lead The Way initiatives in eligible communities. By providing grants for program expansion, the initiative encourages schools to implement new PLTW units and train teachers, empowering students with essential skills for future careers. This partnership seeks to inspire a new generation of learners through hands-on, real-world challenges, thereby fostering greater participation in STEM fields across various regions.

The Rural Arts Initiative Grant Program, established by the Laura Jane Musser Fund, aims to support nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities. The program encourages access to the arts through scholarships, community engagement, and innovative activities. Priority is given to organizations located in areas with populations under 20,000, ensuring that artistic opportunities are available to both adults and children. Applications are accepted for one year of funding, with potential for up to three consecutive years.

The JADE Learning Electrical Technologies Scholarship supports students enrolled in North Carolina technical or occupational schools focused on electrical systems technologies. Eligible candidates include undergraduates, graduates, and apprentices who demonstrate financial need and strong academic performance. The scholarship application requires careful attention to specific donor-defined eligibility criteria. Applications open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026, with preference given to those pursuing a two-year associate’s degree.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) focuses on enhancing education and workforce development in food and agricultural sciences. It invites applications for various grants aimed at professional development, non-formal education for youth, community college training, and fellowships for both predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates. The program, managed by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, emphasizes the cultivation of skills necessary for the future workforce in agriculture, with multiple deadlines for submissions.

The Scholarships for Careers Endowment, established by a local family in connection with the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, aims to support graduates of Elk Lake School District and the Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center. This scholarship prioritizes students with financial need and promise for future success, assisting them in pursuing vocational, technical, academic, or other post-secondary programs. Additionally, it contributes to special projects within the school district and community.

The Joyce Price Johnson’s Samaritan Fund provides scholarships for young people in North Carolina who are exiting foster care or facing poverty. Eligible candidates include undergraduates, graduates, and adult re-entry students attending various accredited institutions. Applications for NCCF scholarships open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026. Preference is given to applicants from Wayne County and adjacent areas, ensuring support for those with exceptional financial need.

The NC Hunter and Jumper Association’s Norah Morris Memorial Scholarship Endowment supports individuals pursuing higher education who have engaged in equestrian activities. Open to undergraduates, graduates, and adult re-entry students, the scholarship aims to assist those attending various educational institutions in the United States. Applications for NCCF scholarships will be accepted from December 16, 2025, to March 3, 2026. Be sure to check specific eligibility requirements for each scholarship.

The Fred and Betty Worsh Scholarship Fund, managed by the North Carolina Community Foundation, offers financial support to residents of New Hanover and Brunswick Counties who are U.S. citizens attending accredited four-year colleges or universities. Scholarships are available to undergraduates, graduates, and adult re-entry students, and may be renewed annually based on academic performance and financial need. Applications open on December 16, 2025, and close on March 3, 2026.

The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation

The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation was established in 1973 by members of the Colorado Mountain Club and outdoor enthusiasts who were committed to seeing that the mission of the Club and other like-minded organizations would be carried-on in perpetuity so that future generations could access and responsibly enjoy the mountains and wild places of Colorado and beyond.

Today, the Foundation is overseen by volunteers who serve on a board of directors as well as on committees, and who share the commitment to ensuring Colorado’s mountains and wild places can be accessed and enjoyed safely and responsibly for years to come. The Foundation supports programs and organizations that provide education about mountains, including programs that teach individuals how to recreate responsibly and to honor such principles as ‘leave no trace.’

The Foundation also supports scholarships aimed at better understanding and preserving mountain ecosystems, including their unique flora, fauna and geography. The Foundation promotes access for all to Colorado’s wild places, while preserving the very nature of what makes places wild. With that, the Foundation supports stewardship programs such as trail building, erosion mitigation and land use education.

Fellowships

Since 1982 The Colorado Mountain Club Foundation has awarded fellowships for research consistent with the statement of purpose adopted by the founders of the Colorado Mountain Club in 1912:

"To unite the energy, interest and knowledge of the students, explorers, and lovers of the mountains of Colorado; to collect and disseminate information regarding the Rocky Mountains in behalf of science, literature, art and recreation; to stimulate public interest in the mountain area; to encourage the preservation of forests, flowers, fauna and natural scenery; and to render readily accessible the alpine attractions of this region."

The Foundation solicits applications from students enrolled in Colorado colleges and universities or students outside Colorado whose research is focused on the Rocky Mountain region. 

The top outstanding applicants are awarded a named fellowship:

• The Gehres Fellowship, in honor of Jim Gehres’s long service and support of the CMC, the CMCF, and the CMCF Fellowship and Grant Committee, as well as his establishment of the Gehres Fourteeners Fund (the Gehres fellowship supports research carried out in the high elevation of the Rocky Mountains);
• The Gerstle Fellowship, in honor of the late Dr. Kurt Gerstle, professor of engineering at the University of Colorado, a long-time member of CMC, and the founder of the Foundation’s Academic Fellowship program;
• Kindig Fellowship, in honor of the late Dr. Neal B. Kindig, a graduate of West Point and Stanford University and professor of electrical engineering at the University of Colorado, as well as an active member of The Colorado Mountain Club and The CMC Foundation; or
• The Ossinger Fellowship, in honor of Dr. Al Ossinger, a graduate of Stanford University, a long-time member of CMC and the Foundation, and retired chair of the Academic Fellowship Committee.