Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in Colorado

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Colorado working on economic and workforce advancement, affordable housing, or community arts and culture can apply for US Bancorp Foundation’s Community Possible Grant Program. New and emerging grassroots organizations may submit a letter of interest year-round, with priority for groups based in U.S. Bank communities and led by people of color.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving youth through health, education, development, or welfare programs can apply for Dan Paul Foundation grants up to Up to US $15,000. Funding supports areas like early childhood development, child advocacy, homelessness and poverty services, environmental education, and refugee enrichment, which may benefit grassroots organizations working with children and young people.

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides Colorado grassroots and early-stage social impact organizations with up to US $300,000 to scale innovative solutions for underserved communities. Eligible independent nonprofits and impact-first for-profits must be post-pilot, under 10 years old, operating in priority sectors like poverty alleviation, health, education, environment, or economic mobility, with clear plans for exponential growth and measurable impact.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Organizations such as nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, and public entities in Colorado working on education, children’s health, or family economic stability can apply for Michael & Susan Dell Foundation grants; awards more than US $50,000 for project support or scaling. Eligible projects must serve urban low-income children or youth in the U.S., India, or South Africa.

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.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies advancing health equity through short-term, time-sensitive advocacy projects in Colorado can apply for US $15,000 - US $75,000. The Colorado Health Foundation supports policy advocacy on primary care access, mental health, food security, physical activity, early childhood development, and affordable housing, with rolling applications and rapid funding decisions.

Grassroots and other charitable organizations in Colorado can seek support for humanitarian, educational, environmental, and contemporary arts projects that promote sustainable development and community benefit. Grants from Roche help accredited charities running local programs in Colorado that align with its four focus areas and allow for active collaboration with Roche affiliates and employees.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3)s, fiscally sponsored initiatives, schools, and government entities led by women, girls, or nonbinary people of color can access funding through the Women’s Foundation of Colorado to build economic power and dismantle oppressive systems. Grants of US $10,000 - US $60,000 are unrestricted and may support operations, new programs, leadership development, and healing-centered work.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on social change or environmental stewardship can seek one-year grants of US $1,000 - US $5,000 for general operating or project support. With a mission to back small groups, the Wolcott Family Foundation prioritizes efforts in civil rights, community development, ecological preservation, and advocacy addressing root causes of societal problems.

The Wolcott Family Foundation provides Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofits with US $1,000 - US $5,000 for social change and environmental stewardship work. Funding can support general operations or specific projects that empower communities, advance civil rights, build community development, or tackle urgent ecological problems, with preference for smaller-budget organizations and strong community involvement.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups working on state and local policy and advocacy can apply for US $15,000 - US $30,000 to support campaigns, community engagement, and coalition building. The Denver Foundation provides general operating or program-specific grants, with priority for grassroots efforts in the seven-county Metro Denver region.

Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and aligned for-profit organizations can seek the Storytelling Grant to share the impact of their work in preservation, education, or wellness. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation provides more than US $50,000 to support storytelling projects for efforts like wildlife conservation, historic preservation, mental health, and early childhood education across the U.S.

Colorado grassroots organizations, nonprofits, local governments, tribes, schools, and even for-profit corporations can seek funding to measure, prevent, or reduce pollution in disproportionately impacted communities across Colorado. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Environmental Justice Grant Program also supports technical assistance so community groups can effectively participate in environmental rulemaking and advance environmental health and justice projects.

Colorado grassroots 501(c)(3) organizations, public agencies, and fiscally sponsored community groups in Colorado Health Foundation’s service area can receive US $50,000 - US $200,000 annually for multi-year health equity advocacy. Funding supports movement-building, policy and civic reform efforts, and racial and economic justice work led by and for communities of color across Colorado.

Colorado grassroots organizations running out-of-school programs for BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and other youth facing inequities can receive project support to build identity, agency, and belonging. The Colorado Health Foundation provides up to $125,000 per year for two years for culturally responsive, relationship-based programming that offers sustained engagement and affirms young people’s cultural backgrounds and communities.

Insperity's Corporate Contributions program emphasizes community involvement and corporate citizenship, providing philanthropic grants and event sponsorships to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations must engage Insperity employees or contribute to the communities where they operate. The program aims to support nonprofits in achieving their service goals and enhancing community welfare. Applications must be submitted 90 days prior to events, and funding requests can be made once a year.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

The Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Grassroots 501(c)(3)s, fiscally sponsored initiatives, schools, and public entities in rural Colorado led by women, girls, or nonbinary people of color can seek US $10,000 - US $20,000 to advance economic security and leadership for women and girls of color. Focused on economic justice, The Women's Foundation of Colorado invites liberatory, community-based programs and organizing efforts to apply.

Focused on reproductive health equity, Caring for Colorado Foundation invites Colorado safety net clinics and public health agencies to seek funding for sexual and reproductive health services. Grassroots-oriented clinics serving youth, people of color, 2SLGBTQAI+ communities, rural residents, immigrants, and low-income Coloradans can receive up to US $125,000 for contraceptive access, community-led education, and advocacy efforts.

The True Inspiration Awards, established by Chick-fil-A in 2015, recognizes nonprofit organizations that significantly impact their communities. In 2025, the program will distribute $6 million in grants, ranging from $30,000 to $350,000, to sixteen selected organizations. Categories include Caring for People, Caring through Food, Community, and Caring for our Planet, with a focus on educational initiatives, food security, housing services, and environmental stewardship, honoring the legacy of founder S. Truett Cathy.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments in Colorado can seek funding for new intercultural harmony projects that foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration. The Laura Jane Musser Fund provides up to US $25,000 for planning or implementing community service, youth, arts, or similar initiatives that build relationships and shared use of public spaces across cultural lines.

Grassroots groups, government entities, and 501(c)(3/4/6) organizations in Colorado can seek funding to create supportive spaces and more inclusive services for LGBTQ+ people in Chaffee County. Grants from Chaffee County Community Foundation offer up to US $10,000 plus capacity-building support for projects advancing equity, belonging, and affirmation for the local LGBTQ+ community.