Best Jefferson County Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

The Charles H. Adrean D.S.C. Post 625 Memorial Scholarship, established by American Legion Post 625, honors exceptional athletes graduating from schools within New York's American Legion District 5. This scholarship supports students in their pursuit of post-secondary education, including academic, professional, and trade programs. It remains accessible to recipients entering military service, allowing them to claim it upon returning. The foundation aims to empower youth through educational opportunities that contribute to personal growth and community service.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored projects in Jefferson County, Colorado providing immigrant and refugee services like housing, basic needs, and health or mental health support may be eligible for the Newcomers Fund Grant. Rose Community Foundation prioritizes programs offering immigration legal services, know-your-rights trainings, narrative change, and continuity of supports within the seven-county Greater Denver area.

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation provides Jefferson County, Colorado arts and culture nonprofits with up to US $5,000 in one-time technical assistance funding for consultants, planning, technology, or staff training. Eligible groups are small 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored arts organizations, primarily Denver-based with possible exceptions for adjacent counties, focused on inclusive, community-centered programming and DEI practices.

501(c)(3) arts and culture nonprofits and fiscally sponsored arts groups in Denver can apply for Bonfils-Stanton Foundation’s Quarterly Community Grants, with awards up to US $60,000 for general operating support or projects. Organizations in nearby Jefferson County, Colorado, with small budgets and community-centered arts programming may be eligible by consulting foundation staff.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Jefferson County, Colorado with operating budgets between $500,000 and $5 million can seek up to US $100,000 in core mission funding for high-impact, innovative programs. Impact 100 Metro Denver supports arts and culture, economic opportunity, education, environmental conservation, health and wellness, and social services benefiting Metro Denver’s under-served communities.

Public systems such as counties, cities, school districts, and intermediary partners in Jefferson County, Colorado can apply for Gary Philanthropy's Afterschool & Summer Enrichment Grant; awards up to US $40,000 to scale out-of-school enrichment for kids. Proposals prioritizing lower-income youth, student choice, and broad provider networks may be especially competitive.

Graduate, professional, and undergraduate students in Island, Kitsap, Jefferson, and Thurston counties can receive a one-time US $3,000 scholarship to support higher education costs. Grants from Seattle Foundation help students in these Washington counties, including those connected to Jefferson County, Colorado nonprofits through education-focused programming, pursue their academic goals.

Jefferson County, Colorado nonprofits and fiscally sponsored initiatives led by women, girls, or nonbinary people of color can access funding through The Women's Foundation of Colorado to advance economic security and leadership for women and girls of color. Grants of US $10,000 - US $20,000 support rural Colorado–headquartered organizations providing direct services or community organizing across issues like education, health, housing, safety, and economic mobility.

Students pursuing higher education in Jefferson County, Colorado can access scholarship funding for tuition, fees, and books via the San Antonio Area Foundation’s Rapier Education Fund. Eligible applicants are full-time high school seniors or undergraduates at accredited U.S. two- or four-year or technical/vocational programs; awards are US $2,000 and may be renewable for up to three years.

About Us

The Elk County Community Foundation was started in the late 1990’s by a group of business and civic leaders, with the support of the Stackpole-Hall Foundation, who recognized the need for creating a perpetual funding stream to support Elk County—now and in the future. The Foundation was incorporated in 2000 and a year later was classified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The Foundation provides donors with a simple but powerful and highly personal approach to achieving their philanthropic goals while enhancing the quality of life for the people of Elk County.

The Community Foundation makes it easy for individuals, businesses, and organizations to establish a scholarship fund. Your fund can be created in as little as one meeting, with a short fund agreement, and a single gift. Or your fund can be set up with an initial gift that is added to in the future. We manage all the administrative details of your fund for you.

By establishing a uniquely-named scholarship, you have the ability to designate eligibility requirements including education level, the field of study, geographic area, etc. Many scholarships are established to honor parents, a family member, or someone who influenced your life.

Most scholarship funds at the Foundation are permanent endowments, with the annual earnings used to provide the scholarships

Tyler Bender EMS Scholarship Fund

Tyler Bender recently graduated from the Center for Emergency Medicine, and he felt compelled to give back by starting this scholarship to encourage other individuals to consider the EMS field. There is a constant demand for well-trained and qualified EMS professionals. Tyler hopes that this scholarship fund will help attract individuals to the field and alleviate a shortage of EMS personnel.

Amount: $500 annually

Jefferson County, Colorado housing and homelessness nonprofits can access funding through Colorado Gives Foundation to improve access to stable, affordable housing. 501(c)(3) organizations or those with fiscal sponsors may receive US $5,000 - US $25,000 for general operating support, including advocacy, public education, navigation services, and efforts to increase or preserve affordable housing options for local residents.

The Denver Foundation provides Jefferson County, Colorado nonprofit employees with US $500 - US $10,000 in scholarship funding for undergraduate or graduate human services coursework. Eligible applicants work at 501(c)(3) organizations in Metro Denver, including Jefferson County, and are pursuing for-credit classes at accredited U.S. institutions; awards are renewable for up to two additional years.

The Learning Tree Scholarship, established by The Learning Tree, Inc. through the Central Alabama Community Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors from select counties with a minimum ACT score of 20. This renewable scholarship offers up to $2,000 annually for students pursuing degrees in education, healthcare, and related fields. The foundation, active since 1987, aims to enhance local nonprofit initiatives and educational opportunities in the River Region, serving counties including Lowndes, Macon, and Montgomery.

Nonprofit organizations providing basic needs, early childhood education, or out-of-school time programs in Jefferson County, Colorado and the broader Metro Denver area can apply for Mile High United Way’s Strategic Investment Grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $200,000. Funding supports general operating or program costs, with schools and government entities eligible for program support only.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6) organizations, local government agencies, and public schools serving Golden residents in Jefferson County, Colorado can apply for Golden Civic Foundation’s “For the Good of Golden” grants; awards US $500 - US $5,000 for civic development, arts and culture, social services, education, outdoor stewardship, recreation, and community improvement projects.

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.

Jefferson County, Colorado food access nonprofits can access funding through Colorado Gives Foundation to expand food security efforts and related operations. 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups serving Jeffco residents can apply for US $5,000 - US $25,000 to improve access to local, healthy, and culturally relevant food, including SNAP/WIC enrollment, Double Up Food Bucks, producer-pantry collaboration, and policy advocacy.

The Deaconess Foundation offers Nursing Scholarship Grants aimed at supporting local students pursuing nursing degrees with demonstrated financial need. This program reflects the foundation's mission to enhance community health in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Grants are administered in partnership with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the St. Louis American Foundation. Eligible students must be working towards an accredited nursing degree and demonstrate significant financial need, among other criteria.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups improving early care and education access for children eight and under in Jefferson County, Colorado can seek general operating support through this program. With a mission to help Jefferson County thrive, Colorado Gives Foundation provides US $5,000 - US $25,000 to support Jeffco Bright Futures Roadmap strategies and related collaborative efforts.

501(c)(3) nonprofits serving low-income children, youth, and families in Jefferson County and the broader Denver metro area can apply for Denver Post Community Foundation’s Season to Share Grant to support basic-needs programs. Funding may benefit out-of-school youth development, health care access, homelessness prevention and housing, or large-scale hunger and food security initiatives.

Local governments addressing negative impacts from limited-stakes gaming in Jefferson County, Colorado can seek competitive funding for public facilities, services, and gambling addiction counseling, prevention, and education. With a mission to support impacted communities, Colorado Department of Local Affairs allows eligible counties, municipalities, and emergency-service special districts to apply, including on behalf of affected private nonprofits.

The Equity-Focused Leadership Grant by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation aims to foster diverse leadership in the nonprofit sector by providing up to $10,000 to organizations that support BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled adults. This initiative addresses the racial leadership gap and promotes equitable opportunities for marginalized professionals, ensuring they can pursue executive roles. With an annual funding of over $3.5 million, the foundation reinforces its commitment to inclusive community engagement and innovative leadership development in Denver.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups serving Jefferson County, Colorado can apply for Colorado Gives Foundation’s Convenient Neighborhoods grants, offering US $10,000 - US $100,000 in general operating support. Grants help expand public transportation access, improve neighborhood mobility, and develop or preserve outdoor green spaces and community gathering places in Jeffco.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored groups, and government entities supporting workforce preparation and job readiness in Jefferson County, Colorado can apply for Colorado Gives Foundation’s Economic Freedom: Workforce Development grants, offering US $5,000 - US $50,000 for general operating support. Funding helps Jeffco residents gain skills, access livable-wage jobs, and benefit from evidence-based employment programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing mental health or affordable housing services in Jefferson County, Colorado can seek US $5,000 - US $10,000 to strengthen community programs. With a mission to support Front Range communities, Elevations Foundation offers Community Grants to nonprofits based in or serving several Colorado counties, including Jefferson County.

Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program

COSWAP funds can be spent on all land ownership types.

The Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Executive Director’s Office is the primary manager of the Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program. Per statute, the Colorado State Forest Service, Division of Fire Prevention and Control and DNR work collaboratively on program design.

The Colorado Strategic Wildfire Action Program (COSWAP) is designed to support wildfire risk reduction efforts in Colorado to protect life, property, and infrastructure. COSWAP was created after the devastating 2020 fire season by the Colorado legislature through the bi-partisan supported SB21-258. After a successful grant cycle, the program was permanently funded in the 2023 legislative session. While housed within the Department of Natural Resources, COSWAP was collaboratively designed by representatives from the Colorado State Forest Service and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control. This partnership helps ensure the program aligns with other state work and priorities.

Focus

All projects must be focused on reducing wildfire risk to life, property and critical infrastructure. SWIFT and conservation corps projects must be appropriate for hand crew work. This includes, but is not limited to, forest thinning, fuelbreaks, chipping, biomass removal, and pile or broadcast burning. Funding includes Awards of conservation corps or State Wildland Inmate Fire Teams crew time to complete on the ground fire mitigation work, as well as a cash grant for project management expenses. Cash awards for fire mitigation workforce development training. No defensible space projects. 

The Strategic Focus Areas include Boulder, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, La Plata and Teller counties plus Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative focal areas.

Funding

We typically fund 6 to 25 weeks of crew work or up to $100,000. A 25% match is required for cash awards, with the exception of tribal entities.