Best Grants for Preschools in Colorado

The CGF Graduate Scholarships, offered by the Colorado Garden Foundation, provide financial assistance to students pursuing graduate degrees in horticulture and related fields at accredited Colorado institutions. The scholarship covers full resident tuition, books, and fees for one year. Eligible candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have completed relevant coursework in plant sciences, ensuring they are well-prepared for advanced studies in their chosen area.

The Colorado Change Leader Program, initiated by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, aims to cultivate effective leaders in creative industries. This program offers a month-long leadership course, including a three-day intensive, coaching, and funding opportunities for alumni. It targets emerging and established leaders committed to enhancing Colorado's arts and culture through collaboration. Participants may receive a stipend to implement their projects, fostering professional growth and community development.

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), aims to enhance the quality, safety, and accessibility of community football fields. With grants up to $250,000, this initiative addresses the critical lack of safe recreation spaces in low-income neighborhoods, ensuring children and adults have access to well-maintained facilities for gathering and exercise, ultimately fostering community health and well-being.

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 Colorado Plateau Foundation offers the CPF Rapid Response Grant to support Native-led organizations addressing urgent needs in the Colorado Plateau region. Grants of up to $10,000 are available at any time, separate from the annual grant cycle. The foundation focuses on four priority areas: water protection, sacred place preservation, language preservation, and sustainable agriculture. Since 2012, it has invested over $1.2 million in more than 60 initiatives to empower Native communities.

The Colorado Forest Legacy Grant Program, administered by the Colorado State Forest Service, aims to protect vital private forest areas from conversion to non-forest uses. By focusing on conservation easements, the program promotes sustainable forestry practices and preserves significant ecological habitats. It encourages public and private partnerships to maintain forest integrity while allowing landowners to retain ownership. Priorities include reducing land fragmentation and safeguarding water quality, wildlife habitats, and unique ecological zones.

Janet M. Blackburn Scholarship

This scholarship is available to Colorado high school seniors or College students who are enrolled in an accredited university or 4-year college in Colorado, pursuing a major in liberal arts or natural sciences, and are engaged in violin, viola, cello, or bass at the institution.

Scholarship amount:

• $10,000

Number of awards:

• 2

Scholarship awards are one-time awards. The amount awarded to a selected recipient may be used for the cost of attendance. All scholarships will be paid directly to the recipient's school and must be used for the upcoming academic year. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient's college or university.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

NCRC Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) - Housing Counseling Services

The Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) empowers NCRC network members to level up established service lines.

The Housing Counseling Services series within FEF supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in driving homeownership, such as through pre-purchase counseling. In addition, the program builds agency knowledge on heirs’ property challenges to better equip first-time and low-income homebuying households with the know-how to retain intergenerational wealth.

In doing so, FEF-HCS aims to help underserved families begin their homeownership journey, with an additional goal of ensuring foresight into the long-term future of their home purchase.

The FEF-HCS series is funded in partnership with Key Bank and HSBC, and targets communities within the Key Bank and HSBC branch footprints.

Through these partnerships, $2.5 million in Key Bank geographies and $1.5 million in HSBC geographies has been allocated for the subgrants for direct-to-client housing counseling services that will be awarded in three rounds in the FEF-HCS track.

Funding Support

Awardee agencies will receive subgrants to support their housing counseling services to clients.

Knowledge Building

Awardee agencies will attend a training session on heirs’ property challenges and best practices, hosted by NCRC National Training Academy. Bolstering counselor knowledge on this topic will ensure that your agency is not only serving clients in their personal wealth-building journey now, but also helping them preserve that wealth in generations to come.

Department of Local Affairs, Division of Housing

Created in statute in 1970, the Division of Housing with the Department of Local Affairs partners with local communities to create housing opportunities for Coloradans who face the greatest challenges to accessing, affordable, safe, and secure homes. Working with the Colorado State Housing Board, the Division of Housing supports projects ranging from homelessness prevention to homeownership.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program awards grants to smaller units of general local government that develop affordable housing, provide services and create jobs.

Activities funded with CDBG by the Division of Housing may address needs such as infrastructure for housing projects, housing rehabilitation, property acquisition, elimination of blighted conditions, code enforcement and homeowner assistance.

Eligible Project Types and AMI Levels

Rental and Homeownership:

• 51 percent of units must serve Low- to Moderate-Income households up to 80% AMI
• No income restrictions on the remaining units

Eligible Activities

• Homebuyer assistance through Down Payment Assistance (DPA) programs
• Rehabilitation for owner-occupied homes through Single-Family Owner-Occupied (SFOO) programs
• Rental housing acquisition and/or rehabilitation

The Equity in Arts Learning for Colorado Youth (EAL) Grant Program aims to enhance access to arts education for historically marginalized youth in Colorado. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 will support projects that engage professional artists in educational settings for youth aged 4-21. This initiative, backed by significant foundations, seeks to dismantle barriers to arts education, fostering creativity and community engagement while promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The National Trust Preservation Funds provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support local preservation projects and ongoing work. These funds aim to enhance community engagement in preservation, foster technical expertise, and stimulate financial participation from the private sector. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on planning and education efforts related to preservation. The program is particularly interested in initiatives that reach new audiences and further the preservation movement.

The Colorado Health Foundation is offering funding to support nonclinical programs aimed at aiding Coloradans in recovery from mental health and substance use challenges. This initiative emphasizes community and purpose, fostering culturally responsive peer support services that enable individuals to engage with their heritage, find meaningful employment, and build supportive networks. Organizations must align with the Foundation's health equity goals and serve diverse populations to be eligible for funding.

The LibertyGives Foundation, established in 2007, focuses on enhancing charitable giving in Colorado, particularly for underprivileged and at-risk youth. With over $7 million contributed to various organizations, it emphasizes active employee involvement through sponsorship, volunteer work, and a matching program for donations. Eligible charities must be 501(c)(3) organizations based in Colorado and sponsored by a Liberty Media employee, ensuring a strong community connection and support for impactful services.

Urban Agriculture

CDA's Urban Agriculture program focuses on supporting agricultural producers in and around Colorado's communities as they work to create local food systems and networks.

The goals of CDA's Urban Ag program are:

• Supporting and uplifting urban producers in providing access to fresh, local agricultural products for their communities
• Connecting urban producers with existing resources
• Conserving natural resources on urban farms

Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program

The purpose of the Urban Agriculture Microgrant Program is to aid Colorado’s agricultural producers in building a more resilient and sustainable food system by supporting and uplifting urban producers in providing access to fresh, local agricultural products for their communities and conserving natural resources on urban farms.

Due to limited funding, the Conservation Services Division has decided to use this microgrant opportunity to concentrate on small scale projects crucial to expanding urban production, implementing conservation practices, educating community members, and addressing other common challenges faced by urban producers.

The Colorado Plateau Foundation (CPF) provides capacity-building grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 to Native-led organizations on the Colorado Plateau. Their mission is to enhance the work of these organizations by addressing key issues such as water protection, sacred landscape preservation, language revitalization, and sustainable agriculture. Since its founding in 2012, CPF has allocated over $1.2 million to support more than 60 initiatives, fostering community resilience and cultural preservation.

The KeyBank Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing communities through education, workforce development, and affordable housing. Founded in 1969, the Foundation prioritizes diversity, financial capability, and sustainability. Their grants aim to empower individuals for success by improving access to resources, fostering economic inclusion, and creating safe environments. By partnering with community organizations, KeyBank Foundation seeks to make a measurable impact and ensure lasting positive change for families and small businesses.

The Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Grant Program inspires young students to cultivate a love for gardening by providing free oversized cabbage plants to 3rd grade classrooms across the continental U.S. Initiated in 1996, the program encourages hands-on learning about where food comes from. Each year, students compete for a $1,000 prize awarded to the best cabbage grown, fostering excitement and education about agriculture. This initiative not only promotes environmental awareness but also engages students in practical science.

The WINcome Grant, launched by the Women's Foundation of Colorado, is a multi-year grant opportunity set to commence in 2024. Emphasizing economic advancement through trust and decision-making, this initiative aims to empower individuals and families. The grant will support organizations with flexible cash assistance and general operating funds, fostering systemic changes that promote gender, racial, and economic equity for women and families in Colorado. Application cycles will resume in 2027.

The Shooting Range Small Grant Program, offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, provides funding for improvements at shooting range facilities in Colorado. Annually, $20,000 is available for projects ranging from $500 to $5,000, aimed at enhancing public access and amenities for hunter education and youth participation in shooting sports. Applicants must match the grant with non-state cash or in-kind services, ensuring projects fulfill community needs and support sustainable shooting practices.

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) supports the conservation of agricultural land and wetlands by protecting them from nonagricultural uses. It offers Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) to assist landowners in preserving valuable resources. Eligible entities can receive financial assistance to maintain agricultural viability and restore habitats, promoting sustainability and conservation in agriculture while providing funding for critical projects.

The Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program by Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers funding for trail stewardship projects, enhancing outdoor recreation while protecting resources. With a budget of $500,000, it supports trail maintenance crews of two to eight workers. Eligible applicants include local governments and non-profits with land management partnerships. Projects can receive up to $150,000, focusing on safety, sustainability, and community engagement, fostering responsible stewardship of Colorado's natural landscapes.

The Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant provides Colorado communities with funding to mitigate human-bear conflicts. With a total of $1 million available, grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 are offered to support innovative, cost-effective projects aimed at reducing bear attractants and promoting community safety. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, emphasizing local support and proven techniques to foster sustainable solutions to this pressing issue.

The Advocacy and Justice with Communities of Color Fund Grant, provided by the Colorado Health Foundation, aims to empower organizations led by people of color to promote health equity. This initiative supports advocacy efforts that address systemic inequities and fosters long-term movement-building. Through grants ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 annually for two to five years, the Foundation seeks to strengthen community-led advocacy that influences policy changes, ensuring health opportunities for underserved populations.

The Connecting Joy Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to enhance the hospital experience for children battling illness through engaging gaming programs. This initiative supports children's hospitals and nonprofits by funding equipment, staffing, and connectivity, ensuring children can enjoy gaming at their bedside. With grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, the program focuses on offering joy and distraction, helping young patients cope with their hospital stays while facilitating connections with peers.

The Dunkin’ Prom Grant, provided by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, aims to bring joy to teenage patients unable to attend their own prom due to illness. By funding hospitals to host prom-like events, the program ensures these patients experience this significant milestone. Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000, supporting the creation of memorable events with themes, food, entertainment, and formal wear for the teens, making a positive impact in their lives.

The NCAA Division II Degree Completion Award provides financial assistance to student-athletes who have exhausted their athletics eligibility, enabling them to complete their first undergraduate degree. Since its inception in 2001, nearly $9 million has supported approximately 1,875 athletes, with a remarkable 90 percent graduation rate among recipients. The award covers tuition costs up to $15,000 for remaining credits and may be used in the summer term or short terms surrounding the final undergraduate year.

The Grace Isabelle McNaught Charitable Trust Grant offers year-round funding to organizations in Colorado focused on education, health, and human services. Applications must be submitted by September 1 for consideration at the annual meeting in November. The Trust prioritizes general operating support and initiatives that directly benefit Colorado residents, while excluding capital needs and political activities. This grant reflects McNaught's legacy of community support and dedication to improving local lives.