Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in Colorado

Colorado 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible governmental entities planning capital projects can seek funding for land, building purchase, construction, expansion, renovation, or land acquisition. With a mission to strengthen communities, Gates Family Foundation supports facilities that serve mentoring, youth development, education, health, arts, parks, and community revitalization across Colorado, especially in rural and low-income areas.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth mentoring, tutoring, leadership, STEM, or financial literacy programs can apply for Adolph Coors Foundation grants of US $5,000 - US $175,000. Grants from Adolph Coors Foundation help mentoring organizations and adult workforce programs, including paid on-the-job and vocational training, that emphasize entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and evidence-based results, with preference for rural communities.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits running mentoring, tutoring, workforce readiness, or economic mobility programs can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program. Selected organizations receive a two-year leadership development experience plus a capacity-building grant, supporting initiatives like job readiness, financial literacy, small business resilience, and affordable housing that benefit their local communities.

Nonprofit organizations in Colorado serving at-risk and disadvantaged children can apply for Denver Children's Foundation grants to support education, health and wellbeing, child advocacy, and personal enrichment programs. Mentoring and tutoring initiatives that build confidence, improve educational outcomes, and provide safe, enriching experiences for youth may be especially competitive.

Individual live entertainment production managers in Colorado can apply for United Institute for Theatre Technology’s Carolyn A. Satter Production Management Mentorship Program; awards US $2,000 for conference-related expenses and intensive mentorship. Eligible applicants must be USITT members working professionally in production management and able to participate in virtual prep and attend the 2027 Baltimore conference.

Colorado individuals interested in mentoring and youth development can access funding through the Bergel Institute to spend a year designing a credentialed mentoring profession in the U.S. This US $30,000 virtual fellowship supports intensive research and project development on training, certification, and licensing frameworks that strengthen tutoring and mentoring pathways for children in high-poverty communities.

City of Milwaukee high school seniors pursuing two- or four-year or technical college studies and needing financial support can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 plus mentoring through this scholarship. With a mission to support future leaders, Rotary Club of Milwaukee provides tutoring and mentoring-focused aid that may inspire similar programs in Colorado communities.

Undergraduate, master’s, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can gain paid summer research experience through this program, including those in Colorado. With a mission to change the lives of children with cancer, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation provides POST internships that build mentoring relationships and practical research skills in pediatric cancer labs across the U.S. and Canada.

High school seniors planning to study business, engineering, or related fields with strong mentoring interests can access scholarship and mentorship support through the Bradley Family Foundation, open to students in Conroe Independent School District. This renewable, four-year academic scholarship includes 1:1 mentoring and may benefit Colorado programs that guide students toward higher education and mentorship pathways.

Individuals with bachelor’s or master’s degrees pursuing computer science or AI research careers can access intensive mentoring and research training through this predoctoral program, including candidates from Colorado. Grants from the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence help emerging scholars gain hands-on experience, co-author publications, and prepare for top PhD programs in AI and data science.

Colorado high school, GED, and undergraduate students interested in law and already eligible as Shawn Carter Foundation scholars can access this seven-week paid Josh Dubin Fellowship for intensive legal mentoring and professional development. Hosted with Dubin Research and Consulting and Cardozo Law’s Perlmutter Center, it combines legal research experience, site visits, and a stipend plus additional scholarship support.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies serving Weld County residents with health or education programs can apply for cycle grants supporting initiatives like tutoring, mentoring, literacy, and workforce development. The Weld Trust provides triannual funding, including up to 15% for indirect costs, which may benefit Colorado mentoring and tutoring programs based in Weld County.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies in Weld County, Colorado can apply for The Weld Trust’s Flagship Grants, awarding more than US $750,000 for major health and education projects, including mentoring and tutoring initiatives. Funding typically supports capital needs, requires substantial additional funding sources, and favors projects with strong, long-term community impact.

Emerging film composers in the U.S. can receive approximately US $20,000 to enhance original scores for independently financed, feature-length films in production or post-production. Focused on film music creation, New Music USA’s Reel Change Film Fund supports mentoring and score-related costs, which may benefit Colorado mentoring programs that develop or support composers for film projects.

High school, undergraduate, and medical students in Colorado interested in healthcare career mentoring can apply for John Muir Health’s CLIMB Near Peer Mentorship Program. This year-long, multi-level virtual program develops community-engaged family medicine providers and includes weekly meetings with medical students and opportunities to mentor high school students interested in medicine.

Undergraduate and recently graduated college students in Colorado interested in public health, healthcare, or life science careers can access a full-time, 10-week summer mentoring internship through John Muir Health’s Health Career Connection program. Focused on tutoring and mentoring, it prioritizes underrepresented, first-generation, low-income, and underserved students seeking real-world experience and professional networks.

The Nicholas B. Ottaway Foundation offers grants through its Education Committee to support programs enhancing educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged students. These grants focus on initiatives like tutoring, college preparation, and internship programs. To qualify, organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3). Preference is given to projects that provide ongoing support to students post-graduation, particularly in specific geographic areas such as San Diego County and the New York Metropolitan Area.

About

Six Decades of Human(e) Progress

At IHS, we build bridges across coalitions working to renew the liberal project—creating a 21st century that's freer, more tolerant, and more prosperous than any in human history.

This work takes on new urgency in a world of rising illiberalism and authoritarianism. Thanks to the generosity of over a thousand individual donors and foundations, IHS continues to find new ways to support the thinkers and leaders who are carrying liberal principles forward.

Impact

IHS works where ideas take root. We place smart bets on the people and research projects that are redrawing the boundaries of human potential in classrooms, in policy, and in public life.

Free Society Grants

For Faculty

Free Society Grants support faculty seeking to develop or expand undergraduate programming grounded in the liberal tradition. Grants are awarded based on project scope and need. The next application cycle opens March 13, 2026; the deadline is June 15, 2026. Funding decisions will be announced by August 7, 2026.

Support for Undergraduate Programming

These grants are designed for faculty who want to cultivate sustained intellectual engagement through mentorship, structured reading, and rigorous discussion—inside and beyond the classroom. The goal is not simply exposure to ideas, but intellectual formation.

All grants include access to ScholarsEdge digital tools, including registration support, to help ensure smooth execution and sustained engagement.

American College Of Sports Medicine Foundation Inc

ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with nearly 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified fitness professionals.

Our Mission: To educate and empower professionals to advance the science and practice of health and human performance.

GSSI Pathways in Sports Science Award | Graduate Student Research & Mentorship Award

GSSI celebrates the passion, resilience, and academic excellence of first-generation college students pursuing graduate degrees in exercise physiology, sports science, kinesiology, and/or sports nutrition. Designed to empower emerging leaders in the field, the award recognizes individuals who are breaking new ground, not only in their families but in the science of human performance.

In addition to research funding, to help promote professional development, award winners will receive one year of 1:1 mentorship from a GSSI scientist. Award winners will also receive complementary registration to ACSM’s 2027 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN.

ACSM requires award winners to:   

• Submit official transcripts if selected as an award winner, 
• Attend the 2027 ACSM Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN. 
• Present funded research at a future ACSM Annual Meeting, and   
• Send ACSM a copy of any publications or presentations related to the funded research. 

About

What is the Pizza Hut Foundation?

In pursuit of happiness, the Pizza Hut Franchisee community, in partnership with Pizza Hut U.S. is proud to announce the formation of the Pizza Hut Foundation.

Our foundation is seeking to touch the lives of over 100 youth annually by partnering with youth-serving nonprofit organizations focusing on literacy education programs to enable our team members and their peers to be career and life ready.

Pizza Hut Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under the Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Financial Assistance & Scholarships for Education

Education is key to success in life. However, each year two million students drop out of college due to financial hardship and a lack of financial assistance. In the United States there are more than 900,000 college-bound students who qualify for federal financial assistance each year. Yet almost 90% of these students don’t receive adequate guidance or support, leaving hundreds of thousands of students’ needs unmet.

The Pizza Hut Foundation is proud to partner with Kaleidoscope as our scholarship platform provider, pairing education dreams with funding.

Mentorship Program

While the Scholarship program financially supports the awarded students enrolled in higher education, it doesn’t stop there. The Pizza Hut Foundation offers a mentorship opportunity, through leaders from within the Pizza Hut organization and Vendor partners, to engage Scholarship recipients in a meaningful way throughout their educational journey.

The Pizza Hut Foundation will support engagements with the students via monthly connections to ensure a positive experience for both the mentors and the mentees.

$20K for changemakers with transformative ideas & firsthand insight in early childhood

About the Imagine Award

The Imagine Award by the Promise Fund offers $20,000 in flexible funding (see definition in FAQs) and a six-month cohort-based learning experience for community-rooted early childhood leaders with ideas for transformative impact. ​​Award recipients are at the idea stage and will launch a pilot within six months, testing their solutions with real users, gathering feedback, and refining their approach.

Imagine Award recipients will learn strategies for designing and executing lightweight tests for rapid learning while gaining clarity on their idea's direction using impact and business models. They will craft a compelling story about their work to build future partnerships and run a focused pilot with strong feedback loops for gathering data, all while growing alongside a supportive peer community.

What We Provide

Our grant dollars are flexible and meant to be used at award recipients’ discretion for the pursuit of tests or a pilot of a transformative idea. Read the FAQ for more information.

Direct, one-on-one support from our team to help you learn, get tailored help, and make relevant connections.

Multi-day gathering for peer connection, learning, and pilot design.

Access to a bench of mentors to guide you as you transition out of the program and navigate next steps with your pilot.

Light, tailored coaching to support pilot preparation, launch, and implementation.

Ongoing peer community and resources to continue learning and collaboration

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers research training programs aimed at advancing education research through two key initiatives: the Early Career Development and Mentoring Program and the Methods Training Program. These programs support emerging researchers in developing their skills and enhancing their research capabilities to address vital education issues. The funding is designed for early career investigators and current education researchers, fostering rigorous and relevant research that informs education policy and practice.

May Family Foundation

Eleanor Jean May established the May Family Foundation in 2000, as a gesture of gratitude to the communities that shaped her life. The May Family Foundation is dedicated to identifying programs that strongly resonate with our mission and values as we work together to empower and uplift lives within our communities.

Our foundation provides resources and opportunities that empower young individuals to thrive and reach their full potential. Our goal is to create a brighter future for under-resourced youth in our local communities.

May Family Foundation Mentoring Grant

Our foundation strives to be engaged in our local communities beyond grant funding. We support select programs that align with our goals and form a connection through potential volunteering opportunities, site visits, and recognition of successes.

We welcome grant applications for financial support in mentoring:

• Programs that pair students with adult mentors who provide guidance and support to help students succeed academically and develop important life skills.
• These can go beyond the classroom, such as sports and recreation enrichment programs.

Chicken & Egg Pictures Inc

Chicken & Egg Films was founded in 2005 by documentary film industry veterans Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, and Judith Helfand. As filmmakers, teachers, funders, and impact producers, they were inspired to utilize their collective expertise to uplift the power of fellow women storytellers. Chicken & Egg was thus created to help address financial and creative challenges uniquely faced by women in the field–a model that married funding with mentorship to create not just an organization, but a growing community. 

Chicken & Egg Films shapes a more equitable and just world with the catalytic power of documentary films by providing funding, mentorship and industry access to a global community of women and gender-expansive filmmakers. 

Chicken & Egg Award

The Chicken & Egg Award recognizes women and gender-expansive filmmakers at advanced stages in their careers who are poised to reach new heights in their creative and impact trajectories across the world.

Despite progress by talented women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers across the globe, there are often still numerous roadblocks that stand in the way of a true industry breakthrough. These barriers are often tied to gender, race, class, disability, and geography. Only a few women and gender-expansive nonfiction directors in the United States and abroad are able to work full time as independent storytellers, and few are folks of color, from working-class backgrounds, or from under-represented countries. 

There are, however, a growing number who are getting close. Each has made several films, and each is an influential leader for the issues they explore on screen. With this Award, Chicken & Egg Films is making a bold investment in these creatives and a statement about gender equity. A greater diversity of voices participating in storytelling drives change. We believe this effort is inextricably connected to elevating critical social justice, environmental, and human rights issues. 

The Chicken & Egg Award consists of a $75,000 USD cash award and a year-long mentorship program. Of the total, $50,000 is unrestricted, allowing filmmakers to decide how to use the funding to support their creative and business practices. The additional $25,000 is a grant for the project(s) the filmmaker will work on during their program year. Our in-depth mentorship program is focused on strengthening Awardees’ professional infrastructure, increasing their visibility, and fulfilling their personal and creative goals.

The Established Clinician Investigator Award to Support Mentoring (KS1) is designed to provide established clinician investigators with dedicated time for mentoring early-career clinician research scientists. This initiative by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH) aims to enhance the quality of mentorship, fostering the development of future leaders in clinical research. It supports a sustained commitment to training and guidance, ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled professionals.

The Mentored Career Transition Award (KT1/R00) offers a biphasic funding opportunity for up to 5 years, supporting the transition of postdoctoral researchers to independent faculty positions. The first phase provides 1-2 years of mentored career development, while the second phase grants up to 3 years of independent research support, contingent upon satisfactory progress and faculty appointment. This grant aims to enhance the capacity of early-career researchers in achieving research-intensive roles.

The Mentored Clinician Research Scientist Career Development Award (KC1) from the NIH supports clinician research scientists for up to five years, providing dedicated time for intensive research career development. This award aims to guide candidates with clinical doctoral degrees towards achieving research independence by pairing them with experienced mentors who can help navigate their career paths.