Best Seed Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

The Entergy Charitable Foundation Grant focuses on supporting initiatives that foster thriving communities through education, poverty solutions, and environmental programs. The foundation prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations and similar entities. Key areas include education development, innovative poverty solutions, and environmental restoration efforts, such as coastal wetland preservation. Organizations are encouraged to apply at least three months before funding is needed, ensuring timely support for impactful community projects.

The Bellco Foundation Community Giving Grant supports initiatives in Financial Education, Quality of Life, and Arts & Culture. Focused on impactful contributions, Bellco aims to empower communities through partnerships with organizations like EconLitCO and Food Bank of the Rockies. The grant prioritizes requests from 501(c)(3) organizations aligned with Bellco's business objectives while excluding typical fundraising events and political affiliations. Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to events.

The CSHF: Fostering Collaboration Grant Opportunity encourages innovative partnerships among diverse organizations to tackle complex community health challenges in El Paso and Teller Counties, Colorado. This grant prioritizes collaborative efforts that align with the Foundation's focus areas, including healthcare access and trauma prevention. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to evidence-based practices and transformative potential. Engaging with CSHF staff prior to application is essential for consideration.

The Rural Initiative Grant Program by the Laura Jane Musser Fund aims to foster collaboration among rural communities in areas like economic development and education. Emphasizing community involvement, it encourages diverse participation and measurable outcomes within 18 months. Grants of up to $25,000 for implementation or $5,000 for planning are available, targeting nonprofit organizations and local governments in select states. This initiative seeks to empower communities to achieve positive change through active engagement and support.

The AdvoCare Foundation, established in 1993, aims to promote health and wellness for children through its grant program. Focused on year-round initiatives, the foundation supports local communities where AdvoCare distributors operate. Grants typically last one year with an average funding of $25,000, although multi-year support may be available. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster positive health changes and encourages collaborative efforts with previous grantees.

The Maine Cancer Foundation is seeking proposals for cancer screening initiatives aimed at early detection and prevention. This RFP focuses on screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate, and skin cancers. Proposals should align with evidence-based practices endorsed by the CDC and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Interested applicants are encouraged to consult with MCF prior to submission to discuss project concepts and receive feedback on draft applications.

The WNAN Natural History Research Grant supports research in biological natural history within western North America. Grants of up to $2,500 are available for five authors to assist with travel, supplies, and other research-related expenses. This initiative particularly encourages applicants from institutions where research is not the primary focus, aiming to foster diverse contributions to natural history.

Reiter Family Foundation Grant

The Reiter Family Foundation seeks to support organizations that are doing meaningful work to shape and sustain Colorado communities. Our areas of focus are housing and food security, education and youth programming, and environment and conservation, but we do welcome inquiries from non-profits who do not necessarily fit neatly into our focus areas. In terms of geographic location, we tend to focus our giving in the Denver Metro and Grand County areas of Colorado.

Environment and Conservation

Environment/Conservation: With our family roots in this beautiful state, we want to support the protection and conservation of our Colorado’s lands and waterways as well as help to cut down on the pollution that threatens the health and longevity of our planet as a whole. 

Grants typically range from $2,000 - $15,000, but additional funding may be available.

Applicants can only submit one grant proposal each calendar year (January - December), but may apply again the following year unless otherwise advised. 

The Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Projects, funded by the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation, invites proposals for innovative water reuse solutions. This program enhances water supply reliability and supports sustainable practices for urban and agricultural communities. By leveraging Federal and non-Federal resources, the initiative aims to address water scarcity and improve hydropower reliability, aligning with national priorities for energy and resource management.

The Buell Foundation Grant supports organizations that enhance children's education and development in Colorado. Focused on underserved communities, it prioritizes early childhood programs, evaluations, and quality improvements. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $50,000, directing funds to those committed to impactful initiatives. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities with a dedication to non-discrimination and community engagement. The foundation aims to create sustainable support for programs that foster positive outcomes for children.

The Thornton S. Glide, Jr. and Katrina D. Glide Foundation provides grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations in California that focus on animal protection, land conservancy, agriculture, and civic endeavors. Established in 1995, the foundation prioritizes grants for specific capital acquisitions and does not support operational costs or direct aid to individuals. Emphasizing local impact, California-based organizations are favored over out-of-state counterparts.

The Projects Bill Grants, authorized by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, address statewide water supply needs through investments ranging from $1 to $10 million. Eligible projects include water management, habitat conservation, and feasibility studies. These grants require matching funds and are aimed at significant regional impacts. Projects must demonstrate a clear need and can be proposed by any public or private entity capable of contracting with the state. Ineligible projects include those that can be completed without state funding.

The WaterSMART: Desalination Construction Projects initiative by the Bureau of Reclamation aims to enhance water supply reliability through cooperative funding and support for desalination facilities. This program aligns with federal priorities to improve energy and resource management, encouraging proposals that diversify local water sources. By focusing on innovative solutions to water scarcity, the initiative promotes sustainable water management practices, especially for growing communities facing water shortages.

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.

The Strengthening Families and Communities Grant by Telligen Community Initiative focuses on enhancing the resilience of youth and families through community-based funding. This initiative is transitioning to two-year funding periods, with applications due in March and October for different states. The grant aims to address social determinants of health, providing targeted support based on extensive applicant feedback. The program emphasizes a narrowed applicant pool to ensure more consistent funding for impactful projects.

The WKKF Grant, offered by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is dedicated to fostering a future where every child and family thrives. With a focus on nurturing early education, accessible healthcare, and equitable food systems, this grant supports initiatives that empower communities across the U.S. and parts of Mexico and Haiti. Organizations meeting IRS regulations and being legal entities, particularly 501(c)(3) nonprofits, are encouraged to apply for funding to create lasting impacts in their communities.

The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation offers General Operating Grants aimed at 501(c)(3) nonprofits that serve the west side of Salt Lake City. Grants of up to $10,000, with an average of $5,000, support initiatives in health, shelter, education, economic self-reliance, and cultural enrichment. Applications are reviewed monthly. Organizations must be registered as nonprofits and align with the Foundation's focus areas to be eligible for funding.

The NACD Technical Assistance Grants program, in partnership with NRCS, has been enhancing conservation district support since 2018. By funding staff hires, it aims to improve service for agricultural producers and address conservation workload challenges. The initiative focuses on outreach, education, and civic engagement to empower local communities, promote sustainability, and support historically underserved producers in implementing conservation practices, thereby fostering both individual and community resilience.

Lilly Foundation

To extend Lilly’s charitable reach and impact, the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation (Lilly Foundation) was established in 1968 and is supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company.

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, private foundation supporting programs that align with its philanthropic priorities.

Grantmaking Approach

The Lilly Foundation’s work is guided by a charitable vision of a world where every person has an opportunity to live their healthiest life. Through grantmaking focused on Lilly Foundation’s charitable vision, grants can serve as a catalyst for closing gaps and empowering individuals and communities to thrive.

All proposals should demonstrate clear alignment with at least one focus area and include charitable outcomes that are measurable and consistent with the Foundation’s long-term charitable goals.

Global Health, K-12 STEM Education and Economic Mobility Grant

Focus Areas

Global Health

Lilly Foundation, through its charitable grants, aims to support permissible charitable efforts to improve access to quality healthcare for resource-limited communities in low- and lower-middleincome countries (L/LMICs) and in the United States. Strengthening access to care is essential for enhancing community well-being and supporting economic stability in resource-limited settings.

The Global Health focus area aims to close gaps in quality healthcare by supporting charitable solutions that improve access, bring care closer to where people live, and address the high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in resource-limited settings. To the extent permissible, the Foundation prioritizes charitable efforts related to cardiometabolic health in resource-limited settings.

K-12 STEM Education

The K-12 STEM Education focus area aims to close the gaps for students from low-income communities by supporting programs that foster new pathways and pipelines to STEM education through focused K-12 efforts, concentrating on the critical middle school years. The Foundation’s K-12 STEM Education grants are focused on initiatives that benefit Marion County, Indiana.

Economic Mobility

The Economic Mobility focus area supports charitable and educational programs that strengthen workforce readiness, postsecondary and skills-based educational pathways, and housing stability to promote long-term prosperity. This support is focused on Marion County, Indiana, with the goal of improving economic opportunity for low-income communities and advancing community well-being.

The Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation focuses on funding established nonprofit organizations in the Pikes Peak Region, primarily supporting youth organizations, animal welfare, arts, health services, community building, education, and environmental initiatives. Grants typically prioritize capacity building and operational support. First-time applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation beforehand, as the foundation emphasizes a history of funding relationships. Specific exclusions include individuals and organizations lacking 501(c)(3) status.

Colorado Department of Human Services

The Colorado Department of Human Services collaborates with partners in State and county governments, nonprofits, advocates, community residents, providers and many others to empower Coloradans to thrive through bold and innovative health and human services.

Colorado Sexual Health Initiative (CoSHI)

About CoSHI

The Colorado Sexual Health Initiative (CoSHI) is funded by a Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) grant via the Family Youth Services Bureau. CoSHI provides youth with age-appropriate, medically accurate, people-centered, and evidence-based strategies that are proven to help reduce the risk of untimely pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

CDHS received federal PREP funding in 2010 to develop a sexual health education program. Each year CDHS provides training, education, and funding to agencies and community based organizations serving young people in Colorado. These services are designed to help communities increase access to information on healthy relationships, consent, and other life skills topics, and are provided along with training for trusted adults who would like to increase their skills in answering questions about sensitive topics.

Sexual health education is important because research has shown that it helps youth:

• Delay the initiation of sex (abstain)
• Reduce the frequency of sex
• Reduce the number of new partners
• Reduce the incidence of unprotected sex

PREP funding gives Colorado communities the chance to coordinate initiatives and build upon state laws, Colorado Academic Health Education Content Standards, and local initiatives addressing sexual health education to create programming that fits their community needs. 

CoSHI Mini-Grants

Mini-grants support counties, and/or community based organizations interested in developing a sexual health education program for young people ages 10-19 (21 if pregnant or parenting) in Colorado. The target audience will include youth involved with systems of care (foster care, juvenile justice etc..), those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness, youth who are survivors of human trafficking or at risk of human trafficking and those who are at high risk of untimely pregnancy, STIs or HIV. 

The Kosciuszko Foundation offers Tuition Scholarships for American students of Polish descent pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. Scholarships can provide up to $12,000 for full-time studies, including master's and Ph.D. programs. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents with Polish heritage and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This program aims to foster educational exchanges and cultural understanding between the U.S. and Poland, supporting various fields of study.

The Sunstate Equipment Foundation Grants support local charities focused on disadvantaged individuals, medical aid, housing assistance, domestic violence awareness, military and veterans' assistance, and care for abused animals. Founded in 2015, the foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that matches employee contributions dollar for dollar, reinforcing its commitment to community support and engagement. Charities in good standing can apply once every 12 months, fostering impactful initiatives where Sunstate operates.

Canvas Foundation

Canvas Foundation is made up of volunteers from across Canvas Credit Union who give their time, knowledge, and heart to further our goals. We are a fully independent 501(c)(3) non-profit. Most importantly: we're you. Your neighbors, your friends, your community.

Canvas Foundation Grants

Are you a local 501(c)(3) organization supporting Colorado schools, families, military members, or first responders? If so, we invite you to apply for a grant from Canvas Foundation. We'd love to learn about your mission and the impact you're making in your community.

Schools, Families, Military, and First Responders

Our goal is to support and nurture these critical areas and leave a lasting footprint in our communities. We achieve that by providing financial grants, charitable activities and programs that reflect the communities we serve. These funds are intended to create long-term relationships between Canvas Foundation and the recipients so we can create thriving communities together.

Guidelines and Considerations

• Only one application per organization per year.
• Clearly presented goals and descriptions for how funds will be used to benefit one of our four pillars
• Challenge or matching grants may occasionally be approved, but not during or leading up to Colorado Gives Day
• We request a summary report within 90-days of receiving funds that details your results and any impact stories that we can share with our donors

The Looking Out Foundation Grant supports social justice and humanitarian initiatives, having donated nearly $6 million to various causes globally. With an average donation of $25 per campaign, it aids organizations focused on disaster relief, racial justice, and support for marginalized communities. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt public charities under Section 501(c)(3). The foundation prioritizes diverse funding sources and encourages organizations to adapt to changing needs, with grant allocations ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program, established by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), is designed to fund statewide education and outreach initiatives. It supports financial backing for coordinators who facilitate basin-specific outreach. The program aims to advance education campaigns, awareness surveys, and initiatives that align with CWCB priorities, promoting water conservation and management across Colorado's diverse water basins.

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program, initiated by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, supports education and outreach initiatives for water conservation. This grant enables coordinators to work closely with basin roundtables, facilitating community engagement on water issues. With funding up to $25,000, the program aims to enhance public awareness and education about water resources, ensuring sustainable management for future generations. Eligible entities include governments and individuals, fostering collaboration across Colorado's nine river basins.