Best Diversity Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions seeking to enhance ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles can apply for this national Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, including in Colorado. The National Collegiate Athletic Association supports positions focused on strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare over a five-year commitment.

NCAA Division III member institutions in Colorado seeking to expand assistant coaching staff and improve ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for this coaching enhancement grant. National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Division III schools with two years of matching support for salary, wages, and benefits for a newly created assistant coach position to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in athletics.

Colorado diversity, equity, and inclusion nonprofits and local governments can access funding through the Laura Jane Musser Fund’s Intercultural Harmony Initiative to plan or implement collaborative cross-cultural projects. Awards up to US $25,000 support new efforts that build intercultural understanding, strengthen relationships across cultures, and create tangible community benefits in shared spaces and activities.

Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving marginalized older adults can seek funding to strengthen organizational resilience and advance equity-focused aging work. Focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Next50 Foundation invites Colorado organizations to pursue support for strategic planning, partnerships, staff training, technology upgrades, and other efforts that improve long-term financial stability and make aging more affordable.

Colorado food pantries seeking support to purchase and distribute healthy, culturally relevant foods can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $30,000. Focused on equitable food access and local agriculture, Buen Provecho Collective funds meat, dairy, and fresh produce purchases, with an emphasis on Colorado products and culturally significant foods for diverse communities.

Nonprofit organizations in Colorado running culturally responsive, out-of-school programs for BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, and other youth facing inequities can apply for Colorado Health Foundation’s Developing Agency, Identity, and Belonging in Young People Grants. Awards up to $125,000 per year for two years support sustained, relationship-based programming that builds identity, agency, and community belonging.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools working on diversity, equity, and inclusion, health, hunger, youth, veterans, or human services in Colorado can apply for $500 - $5,000 in program support. The Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Safeway Foundation Denver Grants also serve nearby areas in CO, WY, NE, NM, and SD, with quarterly application reviews.

NCAA Division II member colleges creating new assistant coaching positions to increase ethnic minority and gender representation can receive US $48,000 over three years for salary, wages, and benefits. With a mission to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in athletics, the National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Colorado institutions and other Division II schools with support for these coaching roles.

Individuals and institutions affiliated with NNLM Region 4 member libraries in Colorado and neighboring states can receive US $2,500 for professional development in health information access, data science, or DEI-focused library services. National Library of Medicine funding supports workshops, conferences, speakers, and training that strengthen capacity to serve underrepresented communities.

Colorado-based nonprofits and PK–12 schools can apply for Think 360 Arts for Learning’s Equity in Arts Learning grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $25,000 for arts education projects with historically marginalized youth ages 4–21. Focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, projects must partner with professional artists or culture bearers in accessible educational settings.

Colorado NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time, mid- to senior-level administrative roles focused on strategic planning, compliance, fundraising, and student-athlete welfare, and may benefit nonprofits connected to collegiate sports programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3)s, community-based organizations with a fiscal sponsor, and Sovereign Tribal Nations in Colorado can apply for CommonSpirit Health’s Health Equity & Advancement Fund to support projects, operations, or capacity building that advance health equity and social justice. Programs serving diverse, underrepresented communities and focused on DEI, mental health, access to care, or food security may be eligible.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations with 501(c)(3) or 170(c)(1) status serving Colorado within Huntington’s footprint can seek program-specific funding for community revitalization, services, affordable housing, and economic development. Focused on racial and social equity, Huntington National Bank invites initiatives advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and improving self-sufficiency and quality of life for low- and moderate-income residents.

Colorado NCAA Division II schools and multisport conference offices can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships. Awards of US $30,000 support intern salary plus additional professional development funds, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for ethnic minorities and women in athletic administration roles.

The NCI Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Non-Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (K22) aims to support postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented backgrounds in transitioning to tenure-track positions. This award provides essential funding for salary and research support for three years, enabling candidates to establish independent biomedical careers. Key deadlines for applications range from February 2025 to October 2027, ensuring ample opportunity for eligible researchers to secure funding for their career development.

The Research Opportunities for New and At-Risk Investigators (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) program invites applications that promote workforce diversity in health-related sciences. This initiative encourages researchers from underrepresented backgrounds to propose independent research projects in alignment with NIH's mission. Important deadlines for standard and renewal applications range from February 2025 to November 2027. This effort aims to enhance diversity and inclusion within the scientific community.

The NINDS Faculty Development Award aims to enhance diversity in neuroscience research by supporting junior faculty from underrepresented backgrounds. This award provides essential research cost support, protected research time, and mentorship for individuals holding doctoral degrees within their first three years on a faculty tenure track. It specifically encourages research proposals that do not involve independent clinical trials, while allowing participation in trials led by mentors. Key application deadlines span from October 2024 to June 2027.

The Limited Competition Small Grant Program under the NCATS CTSA aims to enhance the research capabilities of scholars transitioning to independent academic translational scientists. This program supports diverse clinical and translational science projects, including pilot studies and methodology development. The R03 grants are designed for short-term projects with limited resources that generate preliminary data for future R01 applications, thereby fostering innovation and advancing health research.

The NIDCD invites R01 grant applications aimed at independent research projects related to the mission of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. This opportunity promotes workforce development by supporting Early Stage and New Investigators, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds in health sciences. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days before the proposal deadline, allowing diverse researchers to collaborate and contribute to vital health-related studies.

The NLN-Health Carousel Foundation Nurse Educator Scholarship Award provides a $8,000 scholarship to nurses who earned their initial nursing degree outside the U.S. and are now licensed in the U.S. This award supports those pursuing advanced degrees to enhance their careers as nurse educators. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an accredited nursing program and have completed at least one academic year by the application deadline, with funds applicable for tuition, books, and research-related expenses.

The NLN Cecelia Lou Vriheas Scholarship Award offers an $8,000 scholarship to first-generation nursing students from historically marginalized groups pursuing advanced degrees. This award aims to support those committed to becoming full-time nurse educators. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in accredited nursing programs and demonstrate academic excellence. The scholarship can be used for tuition, books, and related expenses, fostering diversity in nursing education and leadership.

Early-career writers in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry residing in the U.S., including Colorado, can access funding and mentorship through the Emerging Voices Fellowship. Colorado diversity, equity, and inclusion advocates in underrepresented communities may be eligible for PEN America’s five-month virtual program, which includes professional development, community-building, and a US $1,500 honorarium.

The Stanley C. Israel Regional Award for Advancing Diversity in the Chemical Sciences recognizes individuals or institutions promoting inclusiveness in the chemical sciences. This award includes a medal, a $1,250 grant, and reimbursement for travel expenses up to $1,500 for attending the ACS regional meeting where the award is presented. Eligible nominees must foster programs that increase participation from diverse groups in the chemical enterprise.

Local Data for Equitable Communities CFP

This call for proposals (CFP) invites eligible nonprofit organizations in the U.S. to apply for a grant to collect, analyze, and use data to address inequities in the physical, economic, and social conditions of a place. Improving these conditions is key to achieving health equity where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. Structural racism is one of the leading barriers that results in inequities in conditions within and across communities. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) expects to award up to 30 grants of $50,000 each, with a period of performance of nine months. The Urban Institute, as the national coordinating center for this program, is collaborating with RWJF on program design, grantee support, and communications.

Local data can be valuable tools to make progress on building places that offer everyone the chance to be as healthy as possible. Community organizations and residents can use data to understand challenges, set priorities, advocate for what is important to them, and hold others accountable for promised changes.

The goals of the Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program are to:

• Inform public policy and improve the physical, social, and economic conditions of places
• Build local capacity to use data for action
• Strengthen the use of equitable data practices
• Document successful practices for more communities to learn from and adapt

Funding

• Type of Award: Awards funded under this opportunity will be structured as grants.
• Number of Awards: Up to 30 awards will be funded.
• Amount of Award: Each award will be up to and including $50,000.
• Award Duration: Awards will be nine months.

The ACS Award for Encouraging Women Into Careers in the Chemical Sciences recognizes individuals who promote women's interests in chemistry, fostering their professional development. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize, a certificate, and a $10,000 grant to an academic institution designated by the recipient. Additionally, up to $1,500 for travel expenses to the award presentation will be reimbursed. This initiative highlights the importance of diversity in the chemical sciences and supports women's career advancement.

The Advancing Equity Through Oral Health Funds, initiated by CareQuest Institute, seeks to transform oral health systems by supporting projects that dismantle disparities faced by marginalized communities. The program encourages organizations to propose innovative solutions that enhance access to dental care, engage community voices, and promote policies that ensure equitable health outcomes for all. This initiative aims to create a more integrated and accessible healthcare system, particularly for historically underserved populations.

The AISES RISE Scholarship offers $2,000 annually to support Indigenous students pursuing careers in STEM, particularly in the casino gaming industry. This initiative, powered by Aristocrat Gaming, aims to empower Indigenous talent through exposure, resources, and programming. Eligible applicants must be full-time students and current AISES members, demonstrating a commitment to their education and community. The scholarship seeks to enhance diversity in STEM fields by providing critical financial support to deserving students.