Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

The Veterans Assistance Grant (VAG) supports the health and well-being of Colorado veterans through services like mental health, job training, and housing assistance. Established by the State General Assembly in 2014, it aims to enhance self-sufficiency and access to healthcare. Nonprofit and governmental entities may apply, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. The grant excludes funding for administrative costs and memorials, focusing instead on direct support for veterans and their dependents.

The Critical Needs List by Community Foundation Tampa Bay addresses urgent, unforeseen needs of nonprofits that threaten their ability to serve the community. This innovative program allows nonprofits to submit requests for funding up to $250,000 for critical expenses such as emergency repairs and essential equipment replacement. With a focus on supporting local organizations, the program aims to match funding with community philanthropists, ensuring timely assistance to those in need.

The Day-End Dough-Nation® Program by Panera Bread exemplifies community generosity through the donation of unsold bakery products to local charities. This impactful initiative supports various organizations that distribute food to those in need, including shelters, health centers, and youth programs. By partnering with thousands of non-profits nationwide, Panera Bread not only reduces food waste but also plays a crucial role in addressing hunger and promoting equality within communities.

The DGLF Youth Literacy Grants, established by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, aim to enhance literacy among underperforming students in K-12. Organizations such as schools and libraries can apply for funding to implement or expand literacy programs, purchase necessary materials, and acquire technology. With over $159 million awarded to date, the foundation supports efforts that provide equitable education opportunities, ensuring every child has the chance to learn and succeed, regardless of their background.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers the DGLF Summer Reading Grants, which support the development and expansion of summer reading programs aimed at Pre-K to 12th grade students, particularly new and below-grade-level readers, including those with learning disabilities. Eligible organizations, such as nonprofits, schools, and libraries within 15 miles of a Dollar General store, can apply for grants up to $3,000 to foster literacy and education initiatives.

The Lucille Drinkwater Allen Trust Grant supports the care of neglected and homeless domestic animals, particularly dogs, in Colorado. Established by Mrs. Lucille Drinkwater Allen's will, the trust aims to alleviate suffering and ensure animals can live their full lives without the threat of euthanasia. Funding is directed towards organizations that align with this mission, focusing on the welfare of animals and promoting their well-being in the community.

The Dunkin' Joyful Spaces Grant supports children's hospitals and community health centers in creating joyful environments for pediatric patients. Launched in 2022, this initiative helps fund play areas, healing gardens, and other kid-friendly spaces, enhancing the hospital experience. Grants typically range from $25,000 to $65,000 annually, with a maximum of $150,000 over three years. This opportunity encourages creativity in designing spaces that provide comfort and joy to children and their families during hospital stays.

The Equitable Community-Designed Outdoor Spaces Grant, offered by the Colorado Health Foundation, supports planning grants for designing and constructing inclusive outdoor spaces like parks and playgrounds in Colorado. This initiative emphasizes community engagement, allowing families and youth, particularly from low-income and communities of color, to co-design their recreational areas, fostering health equity and belonging. Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000 and prioritize projects that address historical disparities in access to safe outdoor amenities.

The Tree Campus Higher Education Program, led by the National Arbor Day Foundation, encourages colleges and universities to enhance their campuses through tree planting and maintenance. By meeting five key standards, institutions can earn recognition and foster community pride. This initiative promotes environmental health, supports mental well-being among students, and educates future generations on sustainability. Participating schools benefit from resources and recognition, making campuses more livable and green, ultimately contributing to the health of our planet.

The Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund Association offers a Matching Grant program for graduating public high school seniors attending Colorado institutions. Established in 1984, this initiative matches up to $500 of grant money presented by local lodges to students. Over $536,000 has been invested in this program, benefiting many students. Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors, with a focus on leadership, maturity, and need, ensuring a diverse range of candidates can access educational opportunities.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund Association provides scholarships to graduating seniors from Colorado public high schools, aiming to support their pursuit of higher education. Established in 1966, the program has awarded over $15 million in scholarships, typically amounting to $7,000 per year for up to four years. Eligible students must demonstrate leadership and academic ability, while the selection process is overseen by a knowledgeable committee. The fund also offers vocational grants for education at Colorado institutions.

The Patterson Foundation offers Oral Health Grants to support programs that enhance access to dental care for underserved communities. Eligible 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations can apply for funding up to $35,000 for capacity expansion, $10,000 for personnel support, or $10,000 for program support. The foundation prioritizes projects led by volunteer dental professionals and requires follow-up reports for continued funding. Applications are accepted year-round through a two-step process.

Quality Improvement Grant Request for Proposals

Optimizing Maternal RSV Immunization Delivery: A Systems-Based Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Uptake, Equity, and Newborn Outcomes

Pfizer, in collaboration with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support independent Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives focused on advancing maternal immunization, with a specific emphasis on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination during pregnancy.

This initiative builds upon insights generated from the Maternal Immunization Needs Assessment (MINA) project, a multi-stakeholder collaboration that identified persistent clinical, behavioral, and system-level gaps in the delivery and uptake of maternal vaccines.

We seek to fund projects that implement measurable, evidence-based interventions to improve real-world delivery of maternal RSV immunization across healthcare systems and care settings. Proposed initiatives should aim to optimize access, strengthen provider–patient communication training and tools, enhance care coordination, and address structural and behavioral barriers impacting vaccine uptake and equity.

Pfizer Global Medical Grants (GMG) supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies. Pfizer’s GMG competitive grant program involves a publicly posted Request for Proposal (RFP) that provides detail regarding a specific area of interest, sets timelines for review and approval, and uses an expert review panel (ERP) to make final grant decisions. Organizations are invited to submit an application addressing the specific gaps in clinical practice or care as outlined in the specific RFP.

For all QI grants, the applicant (and ultimately the grantee) will be solely responsible for the design, implementation, and conduct of the proposed initiative. Pfizer will have no involvement in project development, execution, or outcomes.

The Reisher Scholars Program, established by the Reisher family at The Denver Foundation in 2001, provides merit-and-need based scholarships for Colorado college students. Targeting rising sophomores and community college transfer students, the program awards between $6,000 and $22,000 annually to help students complete their undergraduate degrees. By focusing on academic potential and community involvement, the program aims to empower individuals who will contribute positively to society.

Our Mission

To lead and support Colorado’s effort to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to and recover from all-hazards events.

State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program (SLCGP)

Colorado’s State and Local Cyber Security Grant Program (SLCGP) provides local governments, public safety and emergency services and special districts with a managed detection and response (MDR) system to detect and mitigate cybersecurity threats.

Program 

This program is funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. SLCGP requires that participants move to adopt Cybersecurity Best Practices.

Members of the Cybersecurity Subcommittee (CAC) of Homeland Security and All-Hazards Senior Advisory Committee (HSAC) serve as the steering committee for this grant. The CAC meets every first Wednesday of each month from 10-11 a.m. 

The Colorado’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) acts as a purchasing agent to optimize pricing, offering endpoint encryption to the participating local governments, public safety and emergency services and special districts. These agencies will be able to continue on with the purchased endpoint encryption in future years with their own funding. 

The applicant must commit to a 40 percent match requirement. 

The Mutual Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants in Colorado provide essential support to organizations aiding low-income families in building their own homes. This program empowers communities by allowing participants to engage in the construction process, fostering teamwork and skill development. Eligible areas can be verified through specified USDA resources, and funds are allocated for technical assistance and recruitment efforts. However, funding cannot be used for direct construction work or purchasing materials.

The Ambassador Scholarship, funded by The Denver Foundation, offers undergraduate scholarships to participants of the Ambassador Leadership and Scholarship Program, covering unmet financial needs. One student annually is awarded this scholarship, which is renewable for up to four years if eligibility criteria are met, including maintaining a GPA of at least 2.0. Additionally, two runner-up scholarships of $2,500 are available for finalists. Awards can be used for tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

Colorado Watershed Restoration Grant Program

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has approved a release of the Colorado Watershed Restoration Program. The Program will focus on the development of Wildfire Ready Watersheds Action Plans and implementation of projects designed to mitigate post wildfire impacts. Post-wildfire impacts such as flooding and debris flows are a threat to life, safety, and property, and have a profound impact on water supply, transportation, and other infrastructure. The Colorado Water Conservation Board approaches planning and hazard mitigation implementation in this realm with urgency. Catastrophic wildfires and subsequent flooding and debris flows occur with little or no warning during all seasons.

Applications will be accepted for capacity building, planning, engineering, implementation, and post-wildfire emergency funding to address the susceptibility of values at risk to post wildfire hazards.

The Best and Brightest Management Fellowship Program in Colorado aims to connect students with local governments, providing valuable internships and fellowships that enhance their public service experience. Targeting high school and undergraduate students, as well as graduate students in public administration, the program promotes diversity and leadership within communities. By collaborating with universities and municipalities, it ensures that future leaders reflect the demographics of their communities while gaining essential skills for effective governance.

State Historical Fund: Survey Plan Grants

Survey plan grants create a comprehensive document to help communities assess the current state of their survey documentation and make informed decisions regarding future architectural survey projects. This planning document is strictly related to survey and does not cover topics generally included in a larger historic preservation plan. Survey plans are often developed for entire municipalities, communities, or neighborhoods, however, they are not intended for single properties.

The survey plan evaluates previous survey work, identifies appropriate historic contexts, identifies current survey needs, and prioritizes recommendations for future survey projects. Survey plan grants require completion of a limited reconnaissance survey and incorporate public involvement to introduce the project and share results.

Survey plans should be completed by consultants that are experienced and familiar with survey and planning projects. The selected consultant should be knowledgeable in applying the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Identification and Evaluation.

Request Amount:

• Up to $20,000.

Cash Match:

• 10% for all applicants

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 Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League David McClure Memorial Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools and alternative education programs pursuing a degree in wildlife-related fields. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be accepted into accredited colleges or vocational programs. This scholarship fosters educational growth while promoting conservation efforts, reflecting the commitment of the Ashland County Community Foundation to enhance community development and support future leaders in wildlife conservation.

Transportation Safety Grants

The Highway Safety Office (HSO), a division of the CDOT Office of Transportation Safety, administers behavioral programs designed to cultivate a safer driving culture in Colorado. Our primary goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of traffic crashes through data-driven outreach and education.

Our Mission

Reduce the incidence and severity of motor vehicle crashes and the associated human and economic loss.

Core Focus Areas

Our programs are strategically designed to address the most significant risks on our roadways. We prioritize intervention in the following areas:

High-Risk Driving Behaviors:

• Impaired Driving: Reducing DUI and DUID incidents through enforcement and awareness.
• Speeding: Encouraging safe travel speeds on all state roadways.
• Distracted Driving: Combatting the use of devices while behind the wheel.
• Seatbelt Survey: Using systematic field data to determine the actual percentage of drivers and passengers who buckle up.

Vulnerable Populations:

• Age-Specific Safety: Tailored resources for younger drivers and our aging population.
• Motorcyclist Safety: Enhancing rider skill development and increasing motorist awareness to reduce motorcycle-involved crashes.
• Pedestrians & Bicyclists: Improving visibility and infrastructure awareness for our most vulnerable non-motorized road users.
• Occupant Protection: Promoting the consistent and proper use of seatbelts and child safety restraints.

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.

Funding Overview

Our responsive grants program is designed for you to propose your best ideas to achieve impact within one or more of our focus areas. The program is intended to respond to an urgent community need; address emerging opportunities; test innovative approaches or breakthrough ideas; or implement proven programs. At each funding deadline (Feb. 15, June 15, Oct. 15), we will identify specific objectives for our responsive grants program, which may change from deadline to deadline. Grant funding is highly competitive across all objectives open for the responsive grants program in a funding cycle. Organizations that apply for funding in the responsive grants program for this funding cycle will have to compete across the following objectives: Adult Recovery Supports, Caregiver Resources, Food Program Efficiency, Food Program Participation and Housing Financial Assistance.

Adult Recovery

Focus Area: Advance Health and Well-Being

The Colorado Health Foundation believes recovery is possible for those experiencing mental health and substance use issues.

We envision a Colorado where adults on their recovery journeys can access culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate recovery services close to their homes.

Why It Matters

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.”

Additional services beyond clinical treatments and traditional substance use interventions are useful for beginning and maintaining the process of recovery. Nonclinical, evidence-based supports and tools, including peer-support groups, employment services and more, help bring recovery closer. These services are most effective when they align with a person’s background, culture and values.

Mental and behavioral health conditions affect Coloradans across socioeconomic levels and ethnicities. However, barriers to accessing recovery-related services persist for certain groups of Coloradans. Obstacles include a shortage of available services, especially those tailored to Coloradans of color, concerns about affordability, and stigma associated with mental health services.

The Colorado Dental Association Foundation Grant aims to enhance community oral health through funding projects that address documented needs for underserved populations. The CDA prioritizes proposals demonstrating a proven track record of effective service delivery and ensuring sustainable outcomes beyond the grant term. Eligible applicants include charitable nonprofits, government agencies, and dental clinics focused on underserved communities. This initiative seeks to create lasting improvements in access to dental care across Colorado.