Best Grants for Nonprofits Serving Disabled in Colorado

The A.V. Hunter Trust provides general operating grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Colorado with budgets under $1 million. It focuses on supporting small, rural, or underserved organizations that offer direct services to individuals in financial hardship, youth, aging adults, or those with disabilities. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $20,000, enabling organizations to address community needs effectively.

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

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.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The Daniels Fund Grants Program offers support to nonprofit organizations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, focusing on areas such as Aging, Amateur Sports, Disabilities, and Youth Development. With no specific deadlines, applications are accepted year-round, and the review process generally takes about 120 days. The fund prioritizes impactful programs that drive meaningful change and foster community growth, honoring the legacy of founder Bill Daniels through strategic philanthropic efforts.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The Roy and Gloria Dinsdale Foundation, established in 2022, is dedicated to enhancing lives in rural Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado through grants exceeding $10,000. It supports nonprofits and government entities focused on food, shelter, healthcare, education, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes local initiatives that enrich communities and improve access to essential services, while maintaining a commitment to assisting veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

About Us

Next50 is a private, national foundation based in Denver, Colorado. Since 2016, Next50 has been working toward creating a world that values aging.

The mission of Next50 shall be to promote independence and dignity for the aging population, to include the needs of low and moderate income persons encompassing individuals with physical, cognitive and/or behavioral disabilities, by encouraging and supporting innovative, affordable and coordinated services and initiatives.

Ways we Support Affordable Aging

At Next50, we believe in maximizing our impact by deploying our capital across a range of diverse investment tools and strategies – a polycapital approach.

Next50’s philanthropic approach blends responsive and proactive strategies to drive meaningful, lasting change across our priority areas. By actively engaging with the communities we serve, we gain critical insights that allow us to bridge gaps, anticipate challenges, and amplify impact.

Through polycapital, we leverage a full spectrum of financial and non-financial tools – including grants, investments, policy, advocacy, and community engagement – because creating a world that values aging requires a multifaceted and adaptive strategy.

Sudden and Urgent Need (SUN)

Providing small, Colorado-based organizations serving marginalized older adults with one-time funding to address sudden and urgent needs.

SUN funding is available for efforts such as:

• An organization providing mobile technology training for low-income older adults in a rural area has an unexpected issue that has arisen with their mobile training vehicle and needs a replacement part to be able to continue providing services.

• A small organization providing a financial boot-straps course for low-income older adults has a water leak in their building and must shut down classes until the leak is fixed.

• A small organization serving older adults in rural Colorado receives unexpected notice that its lease will not be renewed, requiring sudden legal and moving expenses to secure new space and maintain operations without disruption.

Sudden & Urgent need

The organization must demonstrate that their need is unbudgeted, unforeseen, time-sensitive, and significantly interferes with their ability to serve older adults and/or their caregivers or provides an immediate opportunity to enhance services. The request must be for an expense that is a one-time need and is not a part of the organization’s general operating or ongoing expenses.

Improving economic well-being for older adults

Applicants must demonstrate how the work of their organization contributes to the economic well-being of the older adults they serve.

Alignment with priority areas

Applicants should be able to briefly describe how their work with older adults aligns with one or more of Next50’s priority areas – Ending Ageism, Advancing Digital Equity, and Supporting Aging in Place

Population served

Requesting organizations must demonstrate a current focus on serving marginalized populations aged 50+ and/or their caregivers. Marginalized refers to the systematic social, economic, and political exclusion or disadvantage faced by individuals or groups, particularly those with intersectional identities. Please refer to our list of priority populations. Applicants who demonstrate a strong understanding of the intersectional identities of the older adults they serve and actively work to dismantle systemic barriers to access will be prioritized.

Impact

Applicants must explain the potential to have an immediate impact on the organization’s ability to serve older adults.

Need For Funds

Applicants must clearly describe their organization’s financial need for requested funds. We will consider both an organization’s need for funding and its financial sustainability. If you have significant cash reserves or a budget surplus, please explain why the requested funds are needed. Similarly, if you have low cash reserves or a budget deficit, please share how the requested funds will help improve financial sustainability and/or how you plan to improve your financial position.

The Colorado Organizational Resiliency (COR) Grant, offered by the Next50 Initiative, supports Colorado-based nonprofits that serve marginalized older adults. The grant aims to enhance resilience through infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades, and strategic planning. Eligible organizations must demonstrate innovation and a commitment to equity. This funding opportunity is aimed at addressing challenges faced by nonprofits while fostering economic opportunities for older adults and their communities, ensuring impactful long-term recovery from setbacks.

The Changing Aging (CA) Grant supports innovative projects aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for older adults and combating ageism. Priorities include advancing digital equity and promoting aging in place for marginalized communities. Funded by Next50, the grant encourages collaboration among nonprofits and requires an equity-focused approach to project design. Organizations may apply for up to three years of funding, with no maximum request limit, although a pre-application call is necessary for larger requests.

The Anschutz Family Foundation Grant supports programs that enhance self-sufficiency and community development for economically disadvantaged individuals in Colorado. With a focus on helping families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, the foundation provides grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities or government entities. The foundation encourages alignment with its mission and requires demonstrated financial need and a solid track record of success.

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.

The Southwest Intervention Fund, managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, supports preservation efforts of traditional cultures across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, West Texas, and Utah. Grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 are available for local partners, nonprofits, and government agencies to address emergency threats and promote preservation planning. Eligible projects include archaeological site surveys, public awareness workshops, and legal assistance for cultural resource management, ensuring the protection of vital historic sites.

The Colorado Disability Funding Committee Grants aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by funding innovative programs. Under the Laura Hershey Disability Support Act, the committee invites proposals from nonprofit entities that can provide new solutions for accessing disability benefits and improving independence. With $800,000 available in this grant round, each grant will not exceed $50,000, focusing on projects that prioritize those facing significant barriers.

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.

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.

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.

The Colorado Respite Coalition is offering a State Respite Grant aimed at enhancing access to respite care for family caregivers across Colorado. This funding supports both non-profit and for-profit organizations that provide essential respite services, ensuring that caregivers receive necessary breaks. Grants range from $10,000 to $30,000, with applications requiring a letter of intent for the 2025-2026 cycle. This initiative reinforces the Coalition's commitment to family welfare and caregiver support.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

The Choose When grant by Caring for Colorado aims to reduce financial barriers to contraception, ensuring affordable access to reproductive healthcare for all Coloradans, especially young people aged 9-25 and those in rural communities. Launched in 2017, it focuses on eliminating health disparities by funding local clinics to provide long-acting reversible contraception. The initiative emphasizes support for marginalized groups, addressing systemic barriers to care and promoting equitable health outcomes across Colorado.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

Caring For Denver Grants focuses on community-centered solutions addressing mental health and substance misuse in Denver. The initiative prioritizes equitable access to culturally relevant care, emphasizing the importance of community-based organizations. By supporting peer specialists and care navigation, the foundation aims to improve access and outcomes for marginalized populations. Grant applicants must be nonprofit organizations or government entities serving Denver residents. This funding opportunity seeks to uplift voices affected by historical trauma and promote innovative approaches to mental health care.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

The Honda USA Foundation's Mobility Pillar Award aims to empower individuals with disabilities by funding programs that enhance access and mobility. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and schools that provide therapeutic, adaptive, and comprehensive care programs, as well as mobility modifications and assistive technology. Applications are accepted from U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsors, ensuring that the joy of mobility is accessible to all.