Best Financial Assistance Grants in Colorado

Aid to Agencies

About the Program

The Arapahoe County Aid to Agencies (A2A) Program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations delivering essential services to Arapahoe County residents. Established in 2008 by the Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners, the program was created to address critical community needs through strategic partnerships with local nonprofit providers.

Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $30 million to nonprofits serving residents across the county. 

For the 2026–2027 funding cycle, approximately $3,079,500 in General Fund support will be available, including designated allocations for safety net providers. 

In 2025, the program framework was updated to align with Arapahoe Forward and strengthen transparency, accountability, measurable outcomes, and alignment with community-identified needs. The updated framework prioritizes investments that address documented service gaps and improve quality of life for Arapahoe County residents.

Safety net providers are nonprofit organizations that deliver essential services to vulnerable or underserved populations. These organizations are typically distinguished by one or more of the following: 

• Serving as the sole or primary provider of a critical service  
• Offering services that do not duplicate existing County programs  
• Addressing high-need and high-impact service areas with demonstrated community demand  

Organizations currently designated as safety net providers: 

• Three Birds Alliance (formerly Gateway Domestic Violence Services)  
• Aurora Mental Health Center & Recovery – Detox Services  

These organizations receive direct base funding outside of the competitive application pool.

The WaterSMART Applied Science Grants aim to enhance water management and supply reliability through innovative research and data utilization. By inviting qualified entities to apply for funding, the program focuses on improving hydrologic data access, forecasting capabilities, and modeling tools. This initiative aligns with federal priorities to optimize resources, ensuring water managers can effectively address future demands and adapt to climate challenges, thus fostering resilience in water operations across the nation.

The Looking Out Foundation Grant supports social justice and humanitarian initiatives, having donated nearly $6 million to various causes globally. With an average donation of $25 per campaign, it aids organizations focused on disaster relief, racial justice, and support for marginalized communities. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3). The foundation prioritizes diverse funding sources and encourages organizations to adapt to changing needs, with grant allocations ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Bailey Research Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for graduate students to conduct research in the renowned Rocky Mountain National Park. Funded by the Leslie Fidel Bailey Charitable Trust, this fellowship encourages the exploration of diverse topics, including ecology, geology, and wildlife management. Selected fellows will collaborate with park staff for three to four months, receiving housing and a stipend of $12,000, plus potential additional funds for research-related expenses.

Lilly Foundation

To extend Lilly’s charitable reach and impact, the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) was established in 1968 and is supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation supporting programs that align with its philanthropic priorities.

Grantmaking Approach

The Lilly Foundation’s work is guided by a charitable vision of a world where every person has an opportunity to live their healthiest life. Through grantmaking focused on Lilly Foundation’s charitable vision, grants can serve as a catalyst for closing gaps and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

All proposals should demonstrate clear alignment with at least one focus area and include charitable outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the Foundation’s long-term charitable goals.

Global Health, K-12 STEM Education and Economic Mobility Grant

Focus Areas

Global Health

Lilly Foundation, through its charitable grants, aims to support permissible charitable efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for resource-limited communities in low- and lower-middleincome countries (L/LMICs) and in the United States. Strengthening access to care is essential for enhancing community well-being and supporting economic stability in resource-limited settings.

The Global Health focus area aims to close gaps in quality healthcare by supporting charitable solutions that improve access, bring care closer to where people live, and address the high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings. To the extent permissible, the Foundation prioritizes charitable efforts related to cardiometabolic health in resource-limited settings.

K-12 STEM Education

The K-12 STEM Education focus area aims to close the gaps for students from low-income communities by supporting programs that foster new pathways and pipelines to STEM education through focused K-12 efforts, concentrating on the critical middle school years. The Foundation’s K-12 STEM Education grants are focused on initiatives that benefit Marion County, Indiana.

Economic Mobility

The Economic Mobility focus area supports charitable and educational programs that strengthen workforce readiness, postsecondary and skills-based educational pathways, and housing stability to promote long-term prosperity. This support is focused on Marion County, Indiana, with the goal of improving economic opportunity for low-income communities and advancing community well-being.

The Sunstate Equipment Foundation Grants support local charities focused on disadvantaged individuals, medical aid, housing assistance, domestic violence awareness, military and veterans' assistance, and care for abused animals. Founded in 2015, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that matches employee contributions dollar for dollar, reinforcing its commitment to community support and engagement. Charities in good standing can apply once every 12 months, fostering impactful initiatives where Sunstate operates.

The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation focuses on funding established nonprofit organizations in the Pikes Peak Region, primarily supporting youth organizations, animal welfare, arts, health services, community building, education, and environmental initiatives. Grants typically prioritize capacity building and operational support. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation beforehand, as the foundation emphasizes a history of funding relationships. Specific exclusions include individuals and organizations lacking 501(c)(3) status.

The Programmatic Support - Education Pillar Award by Honda aims to enhance workforce readiness in the manufacturing sector. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools focused on hands-on programs in design, software/data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Eligible applicants must be US-based and have 501(c)(3) status. The initiative prioritizes projects that train individuals for manufacturing roles, develop technical skills, and introduce automation to prepare for evolving industry demands, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in local communities.

The Marilen Reimer Advocacy & Public Policy Legacy Scholarship, provided by the ACEC Colorado Scholarship & Education Foundation, supports full-time students pursuing engineering or land surveying degrees at ABET-accredited universities in Colorado. This scholarship recognizes outstanding commitment to government and public policy, encouraging applicants with relevant volunteer experience. Scholarships are awarded directly to students to cover educational expenses, with varying amounts based on merit and need, honoring Marilen Reimer's influential role in advancing engineering advocacy.

The Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation supports charitable organizations focused on basic provisions for underserved populations, humane care of animals, health care services, public media, and environmental initiatives. The foundation prioritizes organizations in Boothbay Harbor, Southport, and Brunswick, and encourages requests for general operating support, program support, and capital projects, while maintaining a focus on the impact of their services.

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association Community Grants

Focus areas:

The Japan – U.S. Global Partnership Grant Program aims to foster collaborative projects addressing global issues through partnerships between Japanese and American organizations. It focuses on policy-oriented research and dialogue among diverse professionals, including academia and grassroots practitioners. Key thematic areas include resilience, inclusivity, and advancements in science and technology. Projects outside these themes may also be eligible if aligned with grant goals, covering topics like climate change, public health, and digital transformation.

The Carbon Offset Projects Grant, offered by the Colorado Carbon Fund, aims to reduce carbon emissions through local projects in Colorado. The fund supports initiatives registered with verified carbon standards and prioritizes projects like soil carbon sequestration and methane capture. By fostering collaboration among local businesses and communities, the grant helps ensure sustainable practices that contribute to climate change mitigation while keeping capital within the state.

The Sachs Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life for economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals and families. The Foundation supports self-sustaining charitable organizations focusing on economic and educational opportunities, particularly in low-income communities in the U.S. and developing countries. Grants are available for various initiatives, including education, housing, and job training, with a keen interest in programs that demonstrate clear potential for sustainability.

The Global Health and Wellbeing Grantmaking program by Coefficient Giving focuses on addressing critical health and welfare issues worldwide. With an emphasis on proactive engagement and evidence-based solutions, the initiative supports projects that improve health outcomes and wellbeing. The program prioritizes funding for organizations tackling neglected global health challenges, advocating for effective philanthropy, and enhancing the lives of both humans and animals in vulnerable communities.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

Request for Proposals: Launchpad Funds

Background

Coefficient Giving is increasing its giving, primarily to prepare for the billions of dollars in new philanthropic capital that may become available in the coming years. Our increased giving in global health and wellbeing is a temporary surge, with two objectives: to smooth funding and pull forward initiatives we expect to be cost-effective, and to help create an ecosystem of regrantors and implementers with the capacity to allocate this new money as cost-effectively as possible. Additional context on our scaling is provided in this blog post. 

With new potential capital on the way, we want to increase the supply of actionable and fundable plans to address some of the world’s hardest problems. We’re looking for specific, credible strategies to convert funding into measurable progress. Our ideal funds are:

However, we are also open to funds that are thematic and don’t have a quantified goal — for example, a fund organized around a promising type of intervention. Such funds still need to be led by a single, identifiable person who is accountable for the fund’s direction.

Through this request for EOIs, we aim to seed or scale Launchpad Funds that can grow to $100m+ over the next few years. We don’t seek scale for its own sake; it is a proxy for the ambition of the fund, and a signal that the problem is large and tractable enough to justify deploying significantly more capital over time.

What we will fund

• We expect to support established ideas that have either not yet secured anchor support or could significantly scale beyond their existing level of funding.
• This funding can cover operating expenses, but we expect most of it to be used for activities that make progress on the fund’s goals — whether through regranting or direct implementation.
• For exceptional proposals, we may consider funding levels beyond $50m. We anticipate higher funding levels will involve more thought partnership from our team.
• While we don’t expect to make grants longer than 36 months, funded proposals may later be considered for additional funding beyond the initial period.

Education Forward Arizona, in partnership with Freeport-McMoRan, is launching a scholarship program aimed at providing education and training in critical technical fields. The initiative targets recent high school graduates and adult learners, starting recruitment for Fall 2025. Participants will gain skills for rewarding careers in mining, essential for the energy transition. Eligible candidates should be 18 or older, willing to enroll in community college programs, and participate in internships, ensuring a pathway to employment with Freeport-McMoRan.

The Statewide Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants, offered by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, aim to assist Colorado water users in addressing critical water supply challenges. These grants support various activities, including technical assistance, feasibility studies, and infrastructure projects. Eligible applicants include governmental and private entities, provided they meet specific criteria. This funding initiative encourages sustainable water management and innovation in line with the Colorado Water Plan.

The Postdoctoral Grant Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health aims to support the growth and professional development of postdoctoral trainees, fellows, and associates. With funding up to $20,000 for one year, recipients can engage in independent research projects, attend workshops, or cover open-access publication fees. This initiative enhances research capacity and promotes health equity in Wisconsin, addressing critical health challenges while fostering career advancement in the medical field.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects program invites eligible entities to secure funding for initiatives that enhance water resource management across various sectors, including conservation, infrastructure improvement, and watershed restoration. Priority is given to projects that collaboratively address community needs and yield significant environmental benefits. This funding opportunity aligns with federal priorities aimed at optimizing resource use and improving grant oversight, as outlined in recent executive orders.

The External Collaborative Research (ECR) program by Boehringer Ingelheim invites academic and community scientists to propose collaborative studies aimed at protocol development and result publication. This program offers potential drug and financial support, excluding direct salary for the Principal Investigator. Budgets must represent fair market value and will be negotiated further. Research interests span therapeutic areas including Cardio-Renal-Metabolic, Mental Health, Dermatology, and Oncology, encouraging innovative solutions to unmet medical needs.

The Corporate Giving Program by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that enhance community welfare. Focus areas include agriculture, education, fighting hunger, and public safety. Eligible applicants must have IRS 501(c)(3) status and a Taxpayer Identification number. Requests are prioritized for programs directly benefiting communities near Perdue facilities across various states. The foundation emphasizes responsible stewardship and community engagement in all funding decisions.

The Basin Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants offer financial support to Colorado water users for addressing critical water supply challenges. Eligible entities, including governmental and private organizations, can apply for grants to cover activities such as technical assistance, feasibility studies, and infrastructure projects. Prior approval from a basin roundtable is required before submitting an application. This program aims to promote sustainable water management and align with the goals of the Colorado Water Plan.

The Safeway Foundation offers grants to nonprofit organizations in Denver, focusing on health, hunger, education, veterans, and diversity. Grants typically range from $500 to $5,000 for first-time applicants, with higher amounts available for established organizations. Eligibility requires a valid 501(c)(3) designation and a commitment to serving the local community. The Foundation does not fund individuals, political or religious organizations, or fundraising events. Applications are reviewed quarterly, with an 8-week response time.

The GOCO Community Impact Grant supports projects that enhance community access to outdoor spaces in Colorado. With a focus on revitalizing parks, trails, and other facilities, GOCO aims to improve the quality of life for residents. Eligible applicants include municipalities, special districts, and non-profits dedicated to land conservation. This flexible funding can cover project management and implementation costs, fostering community-driven initiatives that celebrate Colorado's diverse landscapes and improve public engagement with the outdoors.