Best Denver County Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Denver County, Colorado can receive funding for health access, youth and family services, or animal welfare programs. Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation provides project and selected capital support to hospitals, community centers, and other nonprofits serving underserved, low-income individuals, disadvantaged youth, families, and animal care needs.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored projects serving immigrants and refugees in Denver County, Colorado can seek support for housing, basic needs, and health and mental health services. Rose Community Foundation’s Newcomers Fund also prioritizes immigration legal services, know-your-rights trainings, family preparedness, narrative change on immigration, and continuity of supports for refugee and other immigrant populations.

The Technical Assistance Grant Program by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation supports nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Denver, offering up to $5,000 for one-time projects focused on enhancing operations or skills. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and have an annual budget under $500,000. The program emphasizes inclusivity, equity, and support for diverse groups, ensuring that arts and culture are accessible to all in the community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor in Denver County, Colorado can seek $25,000 - $200,000 to expand immigration legal services, including direct representation, affirmative relief, and fee assistance. Focused on immigrant and refugee legal support, The Denver Foundation invites applicants with strong community partnerships and experience serving low-income Denver residents.

The Denver Foundation's Capacity Building Fund Grant supports qualified nonprofits aiming to enhance their effectiveness through learning opportunities. Grants range from $500 to $6,000, with an average of $2,500 to $3,000. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) entities, have received a prior grant within three years, and serve the Metro Denver area. Funding is not available for passive learning or certain activities, ensuring that grants foster active engagement and skill development among staff and board members.

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation offers Quarterly Community Grants aimed at supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Denver. These unrestricted operating grants foster stability and relationship-building while prioritizing organizations that engage diverse communities. With a focus on enhancing arts visibility and nurturing transformational leaders, the foundation has awarded over $90 million since its inception in 1981. Grants are capped at $60,000 and are available to established organizations with a clear commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Denver County, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through Impact 100 Metro Denver to support core mission work through a one-time grant of up to US $100,000. Eligible organizations have budgets between $500,000 and $5 million and serve Metro Denver residents in areas like education, health, housing, social services, economic opportunity, or environmental conservation.

Focused on community services, Venable Foundation invites Denver County, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits to request approximately US $10,000 for general operating support or specific projects. Organizations serving economically disadvantaged residents through human services, education, workforce development, health, environment, legal aid, or arts and culture in Denver may be competitive applicants.

Gary Community Ventures is an impermanent philanthropic organization committed to using all of its resources by 2035 to transform systems and build wealth for Colorado kids and families.

Using a powerful mix of catalytic grantmaking, impact investments, policy and advocacy and the development of new ventures, we create opportunities for Coloradans to thrive now and for generations to come.

Our mission is to partner with our community to leverage business, policy and philanthropy to reshape the arc of opportunity for Colorado kids and families.

Afterschool & Summer Enrichment for All

This RFP seeks to identify local systems ready to replicate My Spark-like programming (see program case study) in other locations throughout Colorado and to model the future of out-of-school learning — one where access is universal, funding is sustainable, and all kidshave opportunities to find their spark.

Description

Gary is seeking to identify a cohort of approximately 3-5 public systems (counties, cities and school districts) and/or the intermediary partners that seek to dramatically scale their out of school enrichment and learning opportunities, particularly for lower-income kids, through My Spark-like programming. The key components of My-Spark like programming are:

• Resourcing kids and families directly with funds to spend on afterschool and summer enrichment opportunities
• Supporting a wide variety of afterschool and summer providers - from arts to sports to tutoring and more - and including nonprofit, business and government providers
• Prioritizing student choice and interest

Priority will be given to proposals that:

• Serve Metro Denver (Adams, Arapahoe, Denver and Jefferson counties), though Colorado locations outside of Metro Denver will also be considered.
• Represent public/private partnerships - we believe that ultimately both public and private stakeholders need to be at the table to make this successful.

The Helen M. McLoraine Nonprofit Employee Scholarship, offered by The Denver Foundation, supports nonprofit employees in the Denver Metro area pursuing education in human services. Eligible candidates must have at least a 2.5 GPA and be employed part-time or full-time for a minimum of one year. Awards are granted based on academic performance, passion for nonprofit work, and financial need. Recipients can reapply for funding over a maximum of three years, with awards directly applied to educational expenses.

Nonprofit organizations and collaborations serving Metro Denver communities can seek US $20,000 - US $50,000 from The Denver Foundation’s Community Grants Program to reduce disparities and promote equity. Focus areas include economic opportunity, youth well-being, environment and climate, and housing for people living in poverty, immigrants and refugees, and people of color in Denver County, Colorado.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups working in economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, or youth well-being can apply for US $20,000 - US $50,000 to support community programs in Denver County, Colorado and the broader Metro Denver region. With a mission to reduce racial and economic disparities, The Denver Foundation prioritizes efforts centered on community leadership and racial equity.

Grants from Mile High United Way help Denver County, Colorado nonprofits provide basic needs services, early childhood education, and out-of-school time programs. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in the seven-county Metro Denver area can seek US $10,000 - US $200,000 for general operating or program support, including housing, food access, legal services, and tax preparation initiatives.

The Lowe Fund Grant, established by the Lowe family in the 1960s and managed by The Denver Foundation, aims to support Colorado nonprofits focused on training and research related to developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating in Colorado, with an emphasis on those in rural areas. The fund particularly seeks initiatives that directly assist individuals with these disabilities, fostering effective treatments and advocacy.

Bates Philanthropic Initiative

Mission Statement

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is committed to making a positive impact on our community by ensuring that high school students in Colorado experiencing financial hardship have access to quality post-secondary education and career opportunities with a particular focus on career and technical education (CTE).

We provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors with a financial need who are pursuing post-secondary certifications, associate degrees, and apprenticeships in skills-based fields.

In addition to scholarships, BPI provides grants to nonprofit partners that deliver critical wrap-around services like transportation, childcare, language support, and mentoring to these financially disadvantaged young adults.

The BPI Scholars Program

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is proud to provide financial support for Colorado's financially disadvantaged high school seniors seeking an education in skills-based careers.

Our mission is to bridge the skills and opportunity gap for in-need graduating high school students by expanding access to career and technical education (CTE) and work readiness opportunities across Colorado. Becoming a BPI Scholar is both an academic honor and access to a support network of partners and resources designed for success.

We administer our own program, personally reviewing each applicant as a potential BPI Scholar. 

Scholarship Benefits

• Attend any Colorado Community College or Technical School
• Associate's degree or Certificates
• Receive Mentorship
• Networking Events
• Recognition as a BPI Scholar

Fields of Study

• Engineering, Construction
• Manufacturing, Automotive Tech
• Agriculture, Natural Resources
• Health Sciences, Criminal Justice
• Education, Human Services
• Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Welding
• Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics

Awards are not automatically renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Black-led, Black-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets up to $1.5 million in Denver County, Colorado can seek $2,500 - US $25,000 to cover operations or emerging community needs. The Denver Foundation’s Black Resilience in Colorado Fund supports work in health, housing, economic opportunity, racial justice, youth programs, and other community-identified issues across the seven-county Metro Denver area.

Denver County, Colorado child welfare nonprofits serving children and youth affected by abuse or neglect can access funding through the In-N-Out Burgers Foundation; awards US $10,000 - US $50,000 for aligned programs or general operating support. Eligible 501(c)(3)s must have a $100,000+ budget and at least two years of service in an In-N-Out community.

Nonprofits, government-supported entities, and Native American entities serving Denver County, Colorado residents can seek funding for mental health and substance use programs that divert people from jail or support recovery during and after justice involvement. Focused on alternatives to jail, Caring for Denver Foundation prioritizes inclusive access, culturally matched care, and sustained support that improves equity and long-term outcomes.

With a mission to strengthen communities, the Denver Foundation provides Denver County, Colorado nonprofits focused on early childhood and elementary education with $5,000 grants. 501(c)(3) organizations in Colorado serving children ages 0–12 through literacy, nature and environmental programs, or arts education, including visual arts, music, and theater, can apply for the Gorham/McGee Early Learning Fund.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Denver County, Colorado, serving low-income people with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities, or those who are visually impaired or blind, can apply for the Care Fund, awarding US $10,000 - US $20,000 for health and mental health support. Eligible organizations must be based in and work within Colorado.

Denver County, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving low-income children, youth, and families can access funding through Denver Post Community Foundation to support programs addressing youth development, health care access, homelessness, and hunger. Eligible organizations must operate in the Denver metro counties, show strong measurable outcomes, and demonstrate stable, diversified funding and solid financials.

Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on leadership development for BIPOC, LGBTQ+ adults, and adults with disabilities in Denver County and nearby counties can seek funding for equity-focused leadership programs. Bonfils-Stanton Foundation supports civic leadership and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with grants up to US $10,000 for six qualifying organizations.

Nonprofits, fiscally sponsored groups, Native American entities, and government-supported agencies serving Denver County, Colorado residents can apply for Caring for Denver Foundation’s Community-Centered Solutions funding to address mental health and substance misuse. Grants support community-based, culturally relevant care, including providers, peer specialists, and care navigation, with an emphasis on equity, trauma-informed approaches, and improved access and continuity of services.

Denver County, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on mental health or affordable housing can apply for Elevations Foundation’s Local Change Community Grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $10,000 for community-strengthening work. Front Range organizations in Adams, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Larimer, or Weld counties, especially with smaller operating budgets, may receive priority consideration.

The Civic Fabric Fund, managed by The Denver Foundation, invites eligible nonprofits to apply for funding to support state and local policy advocacy. This initiative aims to enhance community engagement and coalition building in the Metro Denver area. Organizations may apply for either general operating or program-specific grants. Priority is given to efforts that focus on grassroots coalition-building and community engagement, addressing local issues outlined in the foundation’s policy principles.