Best Grants for Journalism in Colorado

501(c)(3) nonprofits working on economic and workforce advancement, safe and affordable housing, or community arts and culture in Colorado and other U.S. Bank communities can apply for US Bancorp Foundation’s Community Possible grants. Organizations, especially those led by people of color, may be eligible if they address multiple pillars like work, home, and play, including journalism-related initiatives.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits running programs for children, education, or health and human services can apply for monetary support from the Costco Foundation. Funding may benefit journalism organizations whose youth, education, or community health initiatives meet these priorities and operate in communities where Costco does business.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with innovative human services or social problem–solving programs in Colorado can apply for Creag Foundation’s invitation-only funding opportunities. Organizations working in areas like journalism that offer new approaches to addressing social issues may be considered after submitting a letter of inquiry and demonstrating at least one year of 501(c)(3) status.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children’s health, education, development, and welfare can apply for funding up to US $15,000 from the Dan Paul Foundation. Focus areas include early childhood development, child advocacy, homelessness, poverty, environment, and refugee enrichment; Colorado journalism organizations may be eligible if their youth-focused reporting or programs align with these priorities.

Colorado nonprofits and NGOs using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment can access funding through Cisco Systems Foundation’s Global Impact Cash Grants. Eligible organizations serve predominantly economically underserved communities worldwide and may receive up to US $100,000 for innovative, early-stage programs, which could include journalism projects that advance education or economic opportunity.

Colorado educational institutions, government programs, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies can seek funding from State Farm Companies Foundation for safety, education, and community development initiatives. Journalism or media organizations in Colorado may be eligible if their projects advance auto or home safety, disaster preparedness, financial literacy, education, or neighborhood revitalization.

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 Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

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 working on education, child health, or family economic stability for urban low-income youth can apply for Michael & Susan Dell Foundation grants of more than US $50,000; awards support project implementation or scaling. Eligible entities in Colorado and elsewhere in the U.S., India, and South Africa may benefit, including nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and public agencies.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving communities where PNC operates can seek funding for early childhood education, economic development, and community services. Grants from PNC Foundation help support programs for children birth to five, affordable housing, small business development, job training, arts and culture, and revitalization of low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, which may benefit journalism-related community initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Colorado seeking support for charitable, educational, scientific, or medical programs can apply for funding that must be used in the U.S. With a mission to strengthen broad-impact service organizations, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust provides eligible groups with grants that may benefit journalism-related initiatives fitting these categories.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and aligned for-profit organizations can receive support to tell powerful stories about their work through the Storytelling Grant, including Colorado-based efforts. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation funds storytelling projects that highlight impact within its preservation, education, or wellness pillars, which may include journalism-style content and media documenting community change.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored projects enhancing community life in Southwest Colorado can seek support for community services programs. Ballantine Family Fund supports work primarily in La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma, Archuleta, and San Juan counties. Journalism organizations serving these communities may be eligible for US $500 - US $5,000 grants.

Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations active for over three years and serving communities in the Southern region can seek support for programs in areas like education, poverty relief, disaster response, or family and youth services. Robinson Foundation provides single-year, non-capital grants that may benefit journalism or media initiatives connected to these priority areas.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for community services or fundraising events can apply for grants or event sponsorships, including journalism-related initiatives, from Insperity. Focus is on organizations connected to Insperity clients, employee involvement, or communities where employees live and work, with applications reviewed within about 45 days.

Colorado nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations seeking support for community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding projects can access funding through Dudley T Dougherty Foundation. This national private foundation supports charitable initiatives that respect people, life, and the environment, and journalism-focused nonprofits may be eligible when their work advances these broader community and environmental goals.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations within 15 miles of a TJX site can apply for The Tjx Foundation’s grants to support basic needs, youth education, workforce readiness, and safety from domestic violence. Colorado journalism or media nonprofits that also provide these community services may be eligible to submit a letter of inquiry after completing the eligibility questionnaire.

Colorado 501(c)(3) public charities, public schools, and libraries can seek unrestricted funding for environmental, human services, or related community programs, including journalism initiatives. Colorado organizations can access funding through Lawrence Foundation, which typically awards US $5,000 - US $10,000 for general operating or project support, with reasonable indirect costs allowed.

Nonprofit organizations in Colorado seeking support for community-based programs, education, arts, health facilities, or environmental and wildlife activities can apply for this grant, with awards of US $1,000 - US $20,000. With a mission to help impactful organizations, Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation provides U.S. nonprofits with funding where smaller grants can make a big difference, which may include journalism-related initiatives.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on basic needs, community development, cultural enrichment, or volunteer-driven causes can apply for Ameriprise Financial’s Community Grants to support programs in Colorado and nationwide. Eligible projects include hunger relief, shelter and supportive housing, adult self-sufficiency, neighborhood revitalization, arts education, and access to cultural events, with priority for sites engaging Ameriprise volunteers.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking one-year project funding in education, social services, health care, civic and cultural, or environmental programs can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Grants from Dr Scholl Foundation help organizations nationwide, including Colorado groups whose work may encompass journalism-related community, civic, or cultural initiatives.

Colorado nonprofit organizations improving community health, economic stability, workforce readiness, or disaster relief may be eligible for project, operating, or capital support, primarily in areas with an O’Reilly Auto Parts presence. O'Reilly Automotive Foundation supports programs serving underserved and underrepresented people; journalism outlets with qualifying community-benefit programs may fit these priorities.

Colorado 501(c)(3) public charities running community safety, workforce, environmental, or vitality programs can apply for Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards of US $5,000 - US $30,000. Organizations in Colorado communities served by Union Pacific, including those with journalism or media components that advance these priorities, may be eligible.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Nonprofit organizations across the U.S., including Colorado, with strong cross-sector community partnerships may be eligible for the Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award. Focused on impactful, replicable collaborations, this national competition honors six partnerships each year that measurably improve lives and address significant social issues, which can include journalism-related community initiatives.

Non-sectarian human and social service nonprofits working to help disadvantaged people become self-reliant can apply for Gupta Family Foundation’s US $5,000 - US $250,000 grants. With a mission to empower the disadvantaged, Gupta Family Foundation provides smaller organizations in Colorado and worldwide with annual or multi-year support, prioritizing strong founder-led leadership and high direct-beneficiary impact.