Best Unrestricted Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

The Stantec Community Engagement Grant is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in communities where Stantec operates. Focused on arts, education, environment, and health and wellness, the grant supports initiatives that foster sustainable development and responsible practices. Organizations seeking funding must align with Stantec's values, emphasizing ethical practices and community impact. Preference is given to projects located near Stantec offices, ensuring a more significant local impact through their contributions.

Sanofi Philanthropic Donations support non-profit organizations aligned with Health Equity, STEM Education Equity, and Local Communities. Applications are accepted year-round, with a review process of 8 to 16 weeks. The initiative focuses on improving healthcare access, fostering innovation, and addressing social determinants of health. Sanofi emphasizes collaboration and sustainable solutions, advocating for equal opportunities in health and education, and nurturing future talent to tackle medical challenges.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

The Colorado Springs Health Foundation offers a capacity-building grant aimed at enhancing organizational effectiveness in addressing community health needs. Focus areas include expanding healthcare access, addressing workforce shortages, preventing suicide, and fostering healthy environments. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and serve El Paso or Teller Counties. Grants support projects that build skills and systems, with a preference for proposals that demonstrate a strong alignment with the foundation's mission and potential for significant community impact.

The Nord Family Foundation Grant Program focuses on supporting a variety of initiatives in the areas of arts and culture, civic affairs, education, and health and social services. The foundation prioritizes projects that engage youth, strengthen communities, and address basic human needs, particularly in Lorain County, Ohio. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations and selected public sector activities that can demonstrate a significant impact and engagement with disadvantaged populations.

The CPW Director's Innovation Fund, established by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), supports innovative projects that enhance the missions of both organizations. This fund is exclusively for creative initiatives that typically lack funding from GOCO or other sources. All CPW staff can apply for funding, which requires final endorsement from the CPW Director before submission to the GOCO board for approval.

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 Impact100 Global Veterans Awards empower women to make a significant difference by awarding grants up to $100,000 to nonprofits that serve veterans. Focus areas include art and culture, education, health and wellness, environment, and family initiatives, promoting the well-being and support of veterans across the United States. Eligible organizations must meet specific criteria, including tax-exempt status, and are encouraged to submit proposals that utilize funds effectively within two years.

Technical Assistance for Federal Cost-Sharing Program

The Technical Assistance for Federal Cost-Sharing Program (TAFC) helps Colorado water users secure and use federal money for water projects. The TAFC Program's main purpose is to provide technical and administrative support to organizations applying for federal funding. This program is especially helpful for water users who struggle to access federal funds due to limited staff or technical resources.

The TAFC Program offers grants directly to water users. These grants can be used to hire consultants or get other necessary resources to create strong applications for federal funding. All projects funded by TAFC must align with the Colorado Water Plan and can include projects involving aging infrastructure. TAFC grants cannot be used for treated water projects or wastewater projects.

The CWCB has $500,000 available for projects across Colorado. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Grant funding can be used for tasks such as:

• Preliminary project planning, design, and engineering
• Preliminary permitting
• Developing estimated project costs
• Understanding available federal funding opportunities
• Grant writing
• Submitting federal grant applications

Project development: This includes site assessments, data collection for project design, working with other interested parties, permitting, design help, cost estimates, securing matching funds, and other technical work needed for a federal funding application.

Grant writing: This covers researching federal grant opportunities, contacting funding programs before applying, reviewing federal rules and application requirements, and creating the application and required documents like support letters.

The L.B. Research and Education Foundation Grant Program supports U.S.-based nonprofits focusing on innovative education and health solutions for underserved populations. Eligible organizations can apply by submitting a 400-word concept paper, and selected applicants may receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $75,000. The Foundation prioritizes projects that foster critical thinking and creativity, address health disparities, and encourage collaboration. There are no application deadlines, promoting year-round engagement.

The Leonard Rice Memorial Scholarship, administered by the ACEC Colorado Foundation, supports full-time students pursuing engineering degrees in Colorado. With a generous $7,500 award, it aims to assist those specializing in engineering geology, water engineering, or natural resource engineering. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in ABET-accredited programs. This scholarship not only promotes academic excellence but also enhances awareness of consulting engineering as a viable career path, contributing to the future of engineering in the state.

The AWG Geoscience Idea Scholarship supports women from under-served communities to pursue careers in Earth Sciences, a field known for its lack of diversity. It offers $2,500 to three upper-division and $500 to one lower-division undergraduate student, along with a one-year AWG membership. Recipients can also be matched with mentors, enhancing their educational journey and career prospects in geoscience disciplines. This initiative aims to promote inclusion and diversity in the geoscience workforce.

The CCCF: Fall Community Grants support local organizations in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Lake Counties, offering two funding options totaling $50,800. Eligible applicants include 501c3, 501c4, or 501c6 organizations, focusing on health, human services, and community development. The average grant awarded in 2023 was $1,600, aimed at fostering community vitality and resilience through diverse initiatives.

Marathon Petroleum Corporation's Community Investment Grants aim to enhance community welfare through strategic partnerships with 501(c)(3) non-profits and government entities. The focus areas include workforce development, sustainability, and thriving communities, reflecting the company's commitment to making a measurable impact in regions where they operate. Eligible organizations must be U.S.-based and recognized as non-profits. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with its values and community needs, ensuring support for impactful projects.

The Biophilia Foundation Grants support biodiversity conservation on private lands, focusing on systemic change through community engagement. The foundation encourages organizations to submit letters of inquiry detailing their mission, tax status, funding requests, and intended outcomes. They prioritize private land conservation, ecosystem restoration, and innovative policy initiatives, especially in the arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay regions. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, with larger amounts available for established partnerships.

The Colorado Water Plan Grants aim to support essential actions outlined in the Colorado Water Plan, focusing on sustainable water management strategies. Funded by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, these grants facilitate projects related to water storage, sharing agreements, conservation, and educational initiatives. By fostering collaboration among local agencies, the program ensures that Colorado's water resources are conserved and managed effectively for future generations. Eligible projects include technical assistance and innovative water solutions.

The Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grants offer up to $20,000 for environmental art projects led by women-identifying artists in the U.S. and territories. Focused on themes like regeneration and eco-social engagement, the grants encourage projects that address ecological issues through ethical engagement. For the 2025 cycle, over $520,000 will be distributed, doubling previous funding. Eligible applicants must be 18+, lead artists, and not enrolled in degree programs during the grant term.

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.

Cell Signaling Technology’s Environmental Grants support initiatives aimed at ecosystem protection, wildlife research, and environmental education. Priority is given to action-oriented projects with at least 70% of funding allocated to those directly impacting the environment. Applications are accepted annually until May 1st, with a focus on organizations in Massachusetts, particularly the North Shore of Boston. Non-profit status is required, and discriminatory projects will not be funded.

The Nordson Corporation Foundation Grant supports educational programs that enhance community quality of life. Focused on fostering self-sufficiency and job readiness, the Foundation values strong relationships and employee engagement. By funding diverse non-profit initiatives, it aims to ensure that all children have access to quality education and that communities thrive through enhanced educational opportunities. Currently, applications are invited only, aligning with their commitment to impactful community partnerships.

The Pikes Peak Region Grant, offered by The Moniker Foundation, provides nine grants of $10,000 each, totaling $90,000, to support organizations addressing critical needs in health, education, environment, and arts. Applicants must operate in designated counties, be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and focus on specific areas such as housing assistance, educational programming, and environmental conservation. This competitive grant emphasizes community engagement and prioritizes essential operating activities.

The GSA Graduate Student Research Grants provide essential funding for master's and doctoral research in geological sciences for students in North America and Central America. In 2024, approximately $800,000 was awarded to 316 students, averaging around $2,500 each. The program aims to enhance the geoscience workforce, promote career development, and support diversity within the field. Applications require an appraisal from a primary advisor, and participation from underrepresented communities is encouraged.

The Colorado Garden Foundation offers a Full Ride Scholarship for incoming freshmen from Colorado attending a publicly funded college or university. This four-year scholarship covers tuition, fees, room and board, and necessary books. Recipients also receive a laptop and printer. Eligible fields of study include Agriculture Business, Horticulture, and Botany, among others. Applicants must maintain a GPA of 2.50 and be Colorado residents. This program aims to support students pursuing careers in agriculture and horticulture.

The Fred & Jean Allegretti Foundation Grant offers financial assistance to charitable organizations focused on improving the quality of life for children, adults, the elderly, and animals. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) entities that comply with reporting laws and operate in Colorado, Florida, or New Mexico. The foundation seeks proposals that reflect its humanitarian mission, prioritizing dignity and support through education, medical treatment, and the arts.

The Laird Norton Family Foundation, based in Seattle, prioritizes grants that reflect family values in arts education, climate change, human services, and watershed stewardship. Their approach emphasizes equitable educational opportunities, carbon sequestration, support for youth at risk of homelessness, and long-term ecological health. They focus on organizations that address social justice and community needs, particularly in King County, WA, and the West Coast. Note: No unsolicited applications are accepted.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

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.