Best Higher Education Grants in Colorado

Colorado higher education nonprofits and institutions can access funding through BOKF Foundation to support basic education, higher education initiatives, and related community programs. Organizations in BOK Financial’s Colorado service counties working on education, economic development, basic needs, or health and safety may be eligible for charitable contributions accepted year-round online.

U.S. 501(c)(3) cultural institutions with audited expenses over $2 million can seek funding for arts and science programs that engage broad audiences, especially youth, and demonstrate lasting impact. William Randolph Hearst Foundation supports program, capital, and limited general or endowment needs, which may benefit Colorado higher education institutions with strong arts education or STEAM initiatives.

Colorado public entities and eligible nonprofits can seek funding to conduct archaeological assessments that support higher education research and preservation efforts. Grants from History Colorado help Colorado post-secondary institutions and partners document known sites, survey areas with archaeological potential, and test research methodologies, with awards up to US $20,000 for initial data collection and analysis.

Colorado public entities and eligible nonprofits needing immediate stabilization of historic buildings or sites after sudden disasters can access funding through History Colorado’s State Historical Fund emergency grants. Awards up to US $15,000 support temporary stabilization following events like fire, flood, hail, tornadoes, or vehicle crashes, which may include damage affecting higher education facilities.

Public entities and tax-exempt nonprofits in Colorado can receive funding to prepare professional Historic Structure Assessment reports on eligible historic buildings or structures. Grants from History Colorado help Colorado higher education and other institutions document physical conditions, using licensed architects or structural engineers, to guide future restoration, maintenance, and potential applications for larger State Historical Fund competitive grants.

Colorado public entities and eligible nonprofits can access funding for small historic preservation projects, including internships, workshops, conferences, investigations, and small physical projects, with awards up to Up to US $10,000. Grants from History Colorado help Colorado higher education and other organizations undertake grassroots preservation efforts on a more flexible timeline than competitive grants.

Colorado public entities and eligible nonprofits planning historic preservation projects can receive up to US $20,000 for professional planning documents, such as construction documents, design plans, investigations, cost estimates, and master plans. With a mission to preserve state history, History Colorado provides Colorado higher education and other institutions with support to prepare for future physical preservation work.

Colorado higher education and workforce-focused nonprofits can seek funding to expand job training, entrepreneurship, and employment programs that build economic self-sufficiency. With a mission to foster sustainable, high-impact economic opportunity, Dakota Foundation provides program-related investments and limited grants for scalable, collaborative initiatives that empower people to improve their economic condition and employment prospects.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government-equivalent organizations serving youth ages 5–24 can receive funding for specific programs in health and wellness, youth and high school football, in and out of school enrichment, and career pathways. Denver Broncos Charities provides these grants to Colorado organizations, which may include higher education programs serving youth within this age range.

Colorado shooting ranges and local government or parks agencies that host hunter education, public sight-in days, and youth shooting sports can access funding through Colorado Parks & Wildlife for facility improvements. Grants of US $500 - US $5,000 support substantial upgrades that expand public access and education, which may benefit higher education programs using range facilities.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in youth, education, or community enrichment can apply for Ent Credit Union’s Community Advocacy funding to support programs, including scholarships at Colorado-based colleges and community colleges. Organizations located in or serving Ent’s chartered Front Range counties may be eligible for higher education-related initiatives.

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) creates a positive business climate that encourages dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. We advance the state’s economy through financial and technical programs under the leadership of the Governor and Executive Director. We work hard to grow a resilient economy where everyone not only gets by, but thrives. Our agency consists of 12 divisions and offices that support various industries, regions, and sectors.

Tourism Management Grant

Grant Summary

The Tourism Management Grant provides funding for tourism-related projects that develop, enhance, or manage visitor experiences in Colorado.

Funding requests up to $20,000 will be accepted and the required match is 4:1. For every $1 the qualifying grantee allocates to the project, the Colorado Tourism Office will provide $4 in matching funds up to $20,000. For example, if your total project budget is $25,000, you can request a $20,000 grant and you will need to provide the remaining $5,000 as a cash match.

The applicant can financially match the project cost at a higher amount if the cost exceeds grant dollar limitations.

This is a reimbursement grant. Awarded applicants will be provided reimbursement instructions after the formal grant agreement has been executed.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects must advance the development, enhancement or management of visitor experiences in Colorado. 

Eligible use of funds for Tourism Management Grants

Eligible projects must support one or more of the eligible use of funds detailed below:

• Visitor education programs. Example: Travel philanthropy programs, trailhead and tourism ambassador programs.

• Tourism-related strategic planning. Example: Climate action planning, niche tourism planning, stakeholder and resident engagement, visitor accessibility plans. [For broad tourism planning efforts, please refer to the Destination Blueprint Program]

• Tourism research and data. Example: Accessibility audit, tourism economic impact report and dashboard, hotel and short-term rental analytics, visitor behavior data, visitor profile studies.

• Tourism signage that directly enhances the visitor experience through increased access or engagement. Example: Directional signage, digital information kiosk, educational or interpretive signage, wayfinding signage.

• Accessible and inclusive tourism projects. Example: Customized communication, implement inclusive programming, interpretive panels, train staff in inclusivity and accessibility, language translation

• Environmental sustainability efforts specific to tourism. Example: Destination stewardship dashboard, zero waste event strategy and tracking.

Projects should focus on one or more of the following shared industry priorities or advance specific strategies identified in the Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan(opens in new window):

• Advance off-peak tourism opportunities: Identify opportunities to extend the benefits of tourism throughout the year and increase demand for tourism outside of existing busy seasons.
• Champion the value of tourism: Build awareness of the value that tourism provides to your destination and the role that destination organizations have in enhancing local quality of life.
• Manage and enhance visitor experiences: Diversify tourism offerings and showcase the unique potential of your destination by increasing access or engagement.
• Encourage responsible and respectful use: Inspire visitors to engage in low-impact travel within Colorado, such as advancing climate action strategies.
• Foster inclusive travel opportunities: Develop strategies and resources to ensure your destination is welcoming and accessible to everyone.

Advance Payment Availability and Request Process

Applicants may apply for an advance payment to support immediate cash flow needs for public purposes. The amount of funds advanced is limited to the minimum immediate cash requirement necessary to cover the anticipated expenditures within 90 days from receipt of funds. Failure to deploy the advanced funds within this 90-day immediate-need timeframe will result in mandatory repayment of the unexpended balance.

Eligibility Criteria (Advance Payment)

To be eligible for an advance payment, your organization must:

• Submit all Application Requirements
• If requesting more than $15,000 of funds to be advanced over the life of the grant, you must undergo a risk assessment conducted by OEDIT during the application stage. Advance payments over $15,000 will only be approved for grantees evaluated as “low risk”.

Nonprofits, federally recognized tribes, and institutions of higher education in Colorado can apply for USDA’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program, with awards up to US $500,000 for rural microloan revolving funds and technical assistance. Eligible organizations support rural businesses with 10 or fewer employees through loans and training for startup, growth, and related expenses.

The Colorado Health Foundation aims to empower young people in Colorado, particularly those facing health inequities, including youth of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Their funding focuses on creating equitable outdoor spaces that foster community engagement and active participation. By prioritizing planning grants for outdoor projects, the Foundation seeks to address barriers to physical activity in low-income and rural communities, encouraging holistic health through collaborative design and inclusivity.

Focused on higher education and economic mobility, The Women’s Foundation of Colorado invites Colorado 501(c)(3)s, educational institutions, and public entities to apply for the Women and Girls of Color Fund: Rural Cycle, awarding US $10,000 - US $20,000. Rural, women-of-color-led programs that advance economic security for women, girls, and nonbinary people of color may be eligible.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and aligned for-profit organizations working in education, preservation, or wellness can seek the J.W. Couch Foundation Storytelling Grant to share their impact through compelling narratives. This U.S.-wide opportunity awards more than US $50,000 to help higher education and related programs communicate transformational work in their communities.

With a mission to strengthen higher education and cultural life, Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade provides Colorado colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions with Folk and Traditional Arts Project Grants. Eligible institutions, nonprofits, and tribal or government entities can receive US $3,000 for creating, presenting, teaching, or documenting folk and traditional arts that engage their communities.

Colorado nonprofits, public housing authorities, and local governments supporting affordable housing, economic development, food access, or education can apply for Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s Direct Effect Awards. Focused on strengthening low- and moderate-income Coloradans, this program offers US $5,000 - US $50,000 for general operations and programs, which may include higher education access and achievement initiatives.

Colorado 501(c)(3) colleges, universities, and other educational institutions can apply for Kerr Foundation grants to support higher education programs, capital projects, or operating needs. Funding also extends to related health, arts and culture, and human services initiatives, with Oklahoma organizations prioritized but Colorado applicants explicitly eligible.

Rural public entities and nonprofit institutions of higher education in Colorado can use these grants to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Focused on rural economic and workforce development, USDA Rural Development supports projects like business counseling, facilities and equipment, revolving loan funds, distance adult learning, and rural business incubators that may benefit higher education initiatives.

Colorado higher education initiatives and 501(c)(3) organizations led by women, girls, or nonbinary people of color can access funding through the Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s Women & Girls of Color Fund; awards US $10,000 - US $60,000 in unrestricted support. Eligible projects include campus-based programs and community efforts advancing economic security, healing, justice, and liberatory leadership for women and girls of color.

Freeport-McMoRan Foundation provides Colorado higher education and community-focused nonprofits and public agencies with funding up to US $20,000 for programs in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, and organizational capacity. Eligible projects must benefit residents in Lake, Summit, Chaffee, Eagle, Grand, or Clear Creek Counties and address identified community needs or priorities.

Nonprofit presenters, higher education institutions, tribal governments, and public agencies in Colorado and the broader Creative West region can receive US $2,000 - US $3,000 to present touring performers and literary artists. Focused on performing arts access in underserved communities, Creative West funds artist fees, travel, facilities, outreach, and related administrative costs for regional touring projects.

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.

Nonprofit organizations serving at-risk and disadvantaged children in Colorado with education, health, advocacy, or enrichment programs can seek funding to improve youth outcomes. Denver Children's Foundation supports efforts such as educational access, college and career preparation, children’s mental and physical health, child welfare services, and mentoring that help break cycles of poverty and expand opportunities.

Colorado Commission on Higher Education

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) was established in 1965 by the legislature. In January, 2008, Senate Bill 08-018 made the Department of Higher Education (DHE) separate from CCHE in order to clarify the individual roles of the DHE and CCHE. The Commission is a policy and coordinating board—in contrast to a governing board—and its powers and duties are outlined in Title 23 of Colorado Revised Statutes. Mission: We support students, advocate and develop policies to maximize higher education opportunities for all. Vision: All Coloradans will have an education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and improve our communities.

The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative works to reduce barriers to postsecondary education by providing funding across the state for student programming. COSI programs offer student scholarships and support services. Programs include Matching Student Scholarships, Community Partner Program, Back to Work, Finish What You Started, Fund My Future, and Second Chance Scholarship.

Career Launch Grant

The Career Launch grant is designed to provide tuition support to students via matching funds for community scholarships so that tuition costs are not a barrier to entry, to reduce the currently unmanageable amount of student loan debt, and to create a workforce that has the skills, knowledge, adaptability, and diversity to continue to drive Colorado’s economic growth. Scholarship organizations are required to match COSI funding 1:1 with community scholarship dollars and provide students with a connection to career services/opportunities.

For fiscal year 2026-2027, the Career Launch grant will leverage $1.5 million in state funds to generate $3 million in new scholarship funds to support Colorado students in postsecondary education and degree attainment. These funds can potentially impact up to 1,000 students over the next few years as they pursue a credential. Program Goals:

• Provide financial support to reduce student loan debt.
• Ensure each Career Launch student is connected with career opportunities that provide gainful employment and a livable wage.
• Support credential completion in high-demand pathways that support Colorado’s Top Jobs.