Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Colorado

The Colorado Health Foundation

The Colorado Health Foundation is a statewide philanthropic organization that champions the overall health and well-being of every Coloradan. We do this by advocating for and investing in solutions and policies that drive health equity and racial justice.

Our mission is to improve the health of Coloradans. We believe that health and well-being can be in reach for everyone. So, every day, we collaborate with organizations and communities across the state to break down the many systemic inequities that stand in the way of health. When every Coloradan has the power to be healthy, our entire state is stronger.

Colorado Health Foundation: Advocacy Rapid Response Funding

Advocacy Rapid Response Funding aims to fund short-term advocacy initiatives (three-to-nine months in length) that ensure Coloradans’ interests and priorities are front and center in shaping policy decisions that will have long-term impacts on creating health equity in Colorado. Our Rapid Response funding focuses on advocacy work that reflects the following priorities:

• Creating equity in access to and use of high-quality, comprehensive primary care
• Supporting children to move their bodies safely and conveniently on a daily basis
• Enhancing services and supports that foster social-emotional development and resiliency of young children
• Ensuring teens and young adults have access to the resources they need to support healthy minds
• Ensuring adults have access to local recovery resources that promote healthy minds and productive lives
• Supporting access to affordable, safe and high-quality housing options

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Colorado working on economic and workforce advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture can apply for US Bancorp Foundation’s Community Possible Grant Program. New and emerging grassroots organizations may submit a letter of interest year-round, with priority for groups based in U.S. Bank communities and led by people of color.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, government programs, and volunteer fire companies can seek funding for safety, education, and community development initiatives. Focused on long-term impact, State Farm Companies Foundation supports projects such as auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, job training, financial literacy, food insecurity, and K–12 or higher education programs.

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 Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

Organizations such as nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and public entities in Colorado working on education, children’s health, or family economic stability can apply for Michael & Susan Dell Foundation grants; awards more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling. Eligible projects must serve urban low-income children or youth in the U.S., India, or South Africa.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies advancing health equity through short-term, time-sensitive advocacy projects in Colorado can apply for US $15,000 - US $75,000. The Colorado Health Foundation supports policy advocacy on primary care access, mental health, food security, physical activity, early childhood development, and affordable housing, with rolling applications and rapid funding decisions.

Colorado grassroots and community-based organizations focused on health, education, or humanitarian services can access funding through Semnani Family Foundation to support marginalized and vulnerable populations. This global funder backs programs such as health care access, disaster relief, child welfare, women and girls’ services, and other human and social services in the U.S. and abroad.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits conducting charitable, educational, scientific, or medical work can apply for support that must be used within the U.S. With a mission to strengthen broad-impact charitable service, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust provides Colorado grassroots organizations and other nonprofits with funding for well-managed programs that significantly benefit their target populations and general welfare.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Colorado grassroots organizations running out-of-school programs for BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and other youth facing inequities can receive project support to build identity, agency, and belonging. The Colorado Health Foundation provides up to $125,000 per year for two years for culturally responsive, relationship-based programming that offers sustained engagement and affirms young people’s cultural backgrounds and communities.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Colorado

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on basic needs, community development, or volunteer-driven causes can apply for Ameriprise Financial’s Community Grants to support programs in areas like hunger relief, housing, workforce readiness, and cultural enrichment. Colorado grassroots organizations may be eligible if they meet the national criteria and demonstrate strong Ameriprise volunteer engagement.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Grassroots 501(c)(3)s, fiscally sponsored initiatives, schools, and public entities in rural Colorado led by women, girls, or nonbinary people of color can seek US $10,000 - US $20,000 to advance economic security and leadership for women and girls of color. Focused on economic justice, The Women's Foundation of Colorado invites liberatory, community-based programs and organizing efforts to apply.

Focused on reproductive health equity, Caring for Colorado Foundation invites Colorado safety net clinics and public health agencies to seek funding for sexual and reproductive health services. Grassroots-oriented clinics serving youth, people of color, 2SLGBTQAI+ communities, rural residents, immigrants, and low-income Coloradans can receive up to US $125,000 for contraceptive access, community-led education, and advocacy efforts.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofits improving local quality of life through community-based programs can seek project, operating, or capital support that fits this funder’s priorities. O'Reilly Automotive Foundation supports economic stability, workforce development, health and social services, and disaster relief in communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts has a business presence.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3)s, fiscally sponsored initiatives, schools, and government entities led by women, girls, or nonbinary people of color can access funding through the Women’s Foundation of Colorado to build economic power and dismantle oppressive systems. Grants of US $10,000 - US $60,000 are unrestricted and may support operations, new programs, leadership development, and healing-centered work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments in Colorado can seek funding for new intercultural harmony projects that foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. The Laura Jane Musser Fund provides up to US $25,000 for planning or implementing community service, youth, arts, or similar initiatives that build relationships and shared use of public spaces across cultural lines.

Grassroots groups, government entities, and 501(c)(3/4/6) organizations in Colorado can seek funding to create supportive spaces and more inclusive services for LGBTQ+ people in Chaffee County. Grants from Chaffee County Community Foundation offer up to US $10,000 plus capacity-building support for projects advancing equity, belonging, and affirmation for the local LGBTQ+ community.

The Wolcott Family Foundation provides Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofits with US $1,000 - US $5,000 for social change and environmental stewardship work. Funding can support general operations or specific projects that empower communities, advance civil rights, build community development, or tackle urgent ecological problems, with preference for smaller-budget organizations and strong community involvement.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on social change or environmental stewardship can seek one-year grants of US $1,000 - US $5,000 for general operating or project support. With a mission to back small groups, the Wolcott Family Foundation prioritizes efforts in civil rights, community development, ecological preservation, and advocacy addressing root causes of societal problems.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups working on state and local policy and advocacy can apply for US $15,000 - US $30,000 to support campaigns, community engagement, and coalition building. The Denver Foundation provides general operating or program-specific grants, with priority for grassroots efforts in the seven-county Metro Denver region.