Best San Juan County Grants for Nonprofits in Colorado

The EASI: Exploration Supports Route, initiated by the Colorado Department of Education, provides streamlined funding for school improvement efforts in alignment with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). By consolidating grant applications, Colorado aims to efficiently match schools' needs with evidence-based strategies. This planning phase allows Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to explore diagnostic reviews and community engagement, ultimately enhancing educational outcomes for schools designated under state accountability measures.

The EASI initiative by the Colorado Department of Education focuses on empowering districts to enhance school improvement strategies. Through the District Designed and Led route, districts can leverage tailored implementation support and major improvement strategies. This approach encourages collaboration with external partners, fostering sustainable improvement systems and building staff capacity aligned with effective educational frameworks. The goal is to ensure that schools in need receive the support necessary for meaningful and lasting change.

Rural Colorado 501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally sponsored initiatives, and eligible public entities led by women, girls, or nonbinary people of color can seek US $10,000 - US $20,000 to advance economic security and well-being. Focused on women and girls of color, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado invites San Juan County programs using direct service or community organizing to apply.

The EASI: Other Services Route, introduced by the Colorado Department of Education, streamlines school improvement funding through a single application process. It targets districts with schools needing comprehensive and targeted support as mandated by the Every Student Succeeds Act. This initiative focuses on aligning federal and state accountability while providing resources to enhance educational outcomes. Key routes include Exploration Supports and District Designed Services, fostering effective strategies tailored to local needs.

San Juan County, Colorado nonprofits working on environmental justice, conservation, parks, environmental education, or animal care facilities can access funding through the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation. Support may cover operating, project, or capital needs, with priority for work in Texas and southwestern Colorado, including San Juan County, through a two-step LOI and grant cycle process.

Colorado local governments in San Juan County, Colorado can access funding for design, engineering, planning, feasibility studies, and environmental clearance for public facilities projects. The Colorado Department of Local Affairs offers up to US $100,000 to support eligible Community Development Block Grant public facilities, including water systems, streetscapes, community centers, and other infrastructure benefiting primarily low- to moderate-income residents.

New businesses in San Juan County, Colorado located in designated Rural Jump-Start zones can access funding to support rural business development and job creation. Focused on rural and business development, the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade offers matching grants up to US $25,000 plus significant tax benefits for qualifying employers planning to hire local full-time staff.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored projects in San Juan County, Colorado can apply for the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado’s DWE Nonprofit Partner Grant; awards US $2,500 for general nonprofit needs. Selected groups also gain visibility by providing volunteers and sharing their missions at Durango Wine Experience events.

The Division of Local Government

The Division of Local Government provides strategic expertise, advocacy, and funding to strengthen Colorado. The division promotes local problem solving, informs decision making and invests in communities.

CDBGPF Construction Grant

The CDBGPF Construction Grant program offers financial assistance for eligible applicants to complete their public facilities and infrastructure projects. Eligible activities include acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or installation of public improvements or public facilities. The maximum grant award for the CDBGPF Construction program is $600,000.

All CDBGPF Construction grant applicants must submit a CDBGPF Design and Engineering Progress Report and a CDBGPF Environmental Progress Report to the CDBGPF Program Manager, James Spiers (james.spiers@state.co.us). Once the reports are submitted to the CDBGPF Program Manager, a certification will be issued to the applicant that they will upload in their application. 

Nonprofit organizations and community groups in San Juan County, Colorado can seek funding for local community development and improvement projects through the San Juan Community Fund. Grants from Western Colorado Community Foundation are awarded annually via a competitive process, with a local steering committee reviewing applications and distributing funds each November for use the following year.

The San Juan County Community Fund (SCCF) supports local nonprofit organizations and community projects through an annual grant application process. Established in 2018, it has distributed $58,500 in grants, funded by community-minded donors and managed by a local steering committee. This fund serves as a permanent charitable endowment, enhancing community connections and improving the lives of San Juan County residents. Interested nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for funding to support their initiatives.

The School Transformation Network Grant, led by the Colorado Department of Education, aims to enhance student achievement in low-performing schools through targeted support and resources. This initiative fosters collaboration between local schools and their respective educational authorities, providing professional development and personalized learning opportunities. Schools will benefit from specialized guidance and funding, ensuring a robust improvement framework focused on culture, instruction, talent, and leadership development, ultimately driving sustained educational success.

Onward! A Legacy Foundation

We are your local community foundation providing scholarships and grants to non-profits. We also collaborate with regional non-profits by investing their endowment funds and earn market rates of return. Onward! currently manages 170+ funds with total assets over $9.7 million. The foundation's guiding principles:

• Invest donor funds responsibly to preserve capital, provide growth, and earn income for grant making.
• Create and encourage methods for philanthropic giving to meet financial goals for a variety of donors.
• Identify, improve, and assist in addressing the needs of the Four Corners' communities.
• Foster understanding and cooperation among diverse cultural and ethnic groups.

Onward! Grant

Onward! A Legacy Foundation, in our dedication to the philanthropic health of Southwest Colorado, is opening our enhancement grant cycle for another year. 20+ years of careful work and dedication has created a foundation where investors can easily and safely make philanthropic donations to investment funds which grow and provide income for non-profit efforts, Onward! continues to enrich the four corners community.

Onward! will consider grant proposals that make significant contributions to the health and quality of life for the residents of Southwest Colorado. This may include but is not limited to programs and projects that contribute towards: social, emotional, or physical well-being, youth, diversity, economic enhancement, civic beautification, arts and culture, leadership development; in order to support any organizations that target the specific needs of our diverse community. 

Rural 501(c)(3) arts nonprofits in San Juan County, Colorado can apply for up to US $12,000 in general operating support from the Laura Jane Musser Fund. Funding helps small-budget organizations expand access to literary, visual, music, and performing arts, especially those engaging their community and demonstrating strong local support.

School districts and schools in San Juan County, Colorado needing leadership training for turnaround or improvement efforts can access funding through the Colorado Department of Education’s Turnaround Leadership Development Program. This program supports leadership development in low-performing schools identified through the state accountability system or ESSA, with participants selected via the Empowering Action for School Improvement (EASI) application.

Rocky Mountain Health Foundation provides San Juan County, Colorado nonprofits delivering direct physical or behavioral healthcare and specialized disability services with multi-year general operating support. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for US $10,000 - US $40,000 to strengthen access to services such as medical, dental, mental health, hospice, crisis response, and disability supports.

Nonprofit organizations in San Juan County, Colorado providing basic needs, healthcare, community gardens, language justice, peer support, or respite care can access general operating support through the Simple Gifts Fund. Rocky Mountain Health Foundation offers one-year grants up to US $15,000 with a streamlined application, expedited timeline, and required pre-application Zoom call.

Nonprofit and community organizations in San Juan County, Colorado can seek support for education, health and human services, civic betterment, and arts and culture projects. Focused on community growth and sustainability, Basin Electric Power Cooperative also offers member matching donations and surplus office equipment to strengthen service organizations across its nine-state territory.

Mission Catholic dioceses in San Juan County, Colorado can apply for Catholic Extension’s Francis Grants to fund major diocesan events and leadership development. These grants support occasions like a new bishop’s ordination, special diocesan anniversaries, papal visits, or a bishop’s continuing education in pre-approved poor dioceses across the U.S.

Catholic school educators and prospective leaders in San Juan County, Colorado can apply for Catholic Extension’s Catholic School Leadership Development Grant, which funds graduate-level training in school administration. The program covers most tuition plus travel for Loyola Marymount University’s online certificate, helping dioceses build leadership capacity and strengthen local K–12 Catholic schools.

Nonprofit organizations providing basic human needs services in San Juan County, Colorado can seek multi-year general operating support for food, temporary housing, transportation, safety, and multi-need resource centers. With a mission to strengthen community health, Rocky Mountain Health Foundation offers US $15 - US $45,000 and requires a pre-application Zoom call to confirm eligibility.

Catholic dioceses and parishes in Extension dioceses, including San Juan County, Colorado, can seek funding to construct, expand, or renovate churches and related ministry spaces. Grants from Catholic Extension help under-resourced Catholic communities with minor repairs and furnishings or major building projects through matching challenges, with awards up to US $100,000.

San Juan County, Colorado Catholic organizations in designated Extension Dioceses can seek funding to sustain core pastoral leadership and basic parish or diocesan operations. Through Catholic Extension’s Building Foundation Grants, under-resourced communities may receive salary subsidies for ministers and administrators, as well as essential operating costs like heating and ministry-related travel.

Ballantine Family Fund provides San Juan County, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored projects with community services funding. Grants of US $500 - US $5,000 support organizations enhancing quality of life in Southwest Colorado, primarily in La Plata, Dolores, Montezuma, Archuleta, and San Juan counties.

Catholic dioceses and parishes running pastoral or social outreach ministries in San Juan County, Colorado can seek funding to establish, expand, or enhance their programs. Catholic Extension supports catechesis, marriage and family ministries, evangelization media, liturgical life, social outreach to homeless, immigrants, or incarcerated people, and minor support to restore church services after disasters in approved Extension Dioceses.

The Building Leaders Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the recruitment, education, and ongoing formation of church leaders. This initiative provides critical funding for the professional development of both ordained and lay leaders in mission dioceses. By fostering partnerships with various organizations, it addresses the need for trained ministers and supports various funding areas, including seminarian sponsorship and diaconate formation, ensuring a robust future for church leadership.

Catholic dioceses serving San Juan County, Colorado can seek support to strengthen fundraising, financial management, and operational efficiency. Catholic Extension supports Catholic church capacity-building through salary subsidies for development staff, fundraising technology, operational and energy-efficiency assessments, strategic planning, and fiscal management training for approved Extension Dioceses.