Search Through Water Grants in Colorado in the U.S.

Community Giving

As a financial cooperative, Bellco Credit Union’s mission is to improve our members’ quality of life by building their wealth and securing their financial future.

When it comes to our community engagement and financial support for charitable organizations, we focus our efforts on Financial Education, Quality of Life, and Arts & Culture initiatives, as well as initiatives that support our business priorities. Rather than making several small donations, Bellco makes larger contributions to fewer organizations so that we may have a more significant impact.

Focus Areas

• Financial Education
  • Helping provide the best tools and resources so our community can feel financially empowered is why we teamed up with EconLitCO, EVERFI, GreenPath, and Junior Achievement to provide financial education and learning solutions.
• Quality of Life
  • All Coloradans deserve to have access to food, water, and other basic needs.
  • Our support of Food Bank of the Rockies, Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Distribution Center, and various Front Range and Western Slope food pantries helps to combat food insecurity and provide health and wellness support to those in need.
• Arts & Culture
  • Bellco believes access to arts and culture are fundamental to strong and vibrant communities, which is why we support the Denver Art Museum, Lone Tree Arts Center and Colorado Business Community for the Arts.

What does this program do?

This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

What kind of event can qualify as an emergency?

• Drought or flood
• Earthquake
• Tornado or hurricane
• Disease outbreak
• Chemical spill, leak or seepage
• Other disasters

How may the funds be used?

• Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and address related maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply
• Water source grants up to $1,000,000 are to construct a water source, intake or treatment facility

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

This program helps prevent damage or restore households and business' access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas and towns following natural disasters. Funding can improve the natural environment and encourage manufacturers and other businesses to locate or expand operations.

Colorado’s most comprehensive water information resource, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) was created to provide policy direction on water issues.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has been authorized by the State of Colorado to grant money to existing water supply facilities to help preserve a balance between development of the state’s resources and the protection of the state’s fish and wildlife resources. The grant money is awarded for mitigation of existing water diversion, delivery or storage facilities. 

Grants from the Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund can be accepted for:

• The appropriation of water rights or the acquisition of water rights to preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree to mitigate the impact of an existing water facility. All acquisitions or appropriations must be in compliance with instream flow rules and state water laws.
• River restoration feasibility studies and construction projects designed to directly mitigate or significantly improve the environmental impacts of existing water facilities.
• An appropriate combination of river restoration and water rights acquisition or appropriation.

A special note on water rights appropriations and acquisitions: The Board will consider and CWCB staff will evaluate and recommend to the Board grant applications for appropriation or acquisition of water rights to be held by the Board on the following project types:

• Instream flow water rights that assist in the administration of compact-entitled waters, or address problems relating to compact-entitled waters
• Instream flow water rights that facilitate the resolution of federal water rights issues
• Instream flow water rights that assist in the recovery of threatened or endangered wildlife species or the conservation of existing wildlife species within riparian ecosystems. 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff to discuss funding amounts and limitations. 

Strategic Grants

The Gates Family Foundation uses a portfolio approach to grant making in three priority areas: K‐12 Education, Natural Resources, and Community Development. Overall, strategic grants constitute about 60% of the Foundation’s annual grant making budget (with the remaining 40% dedicated to capital grants). This approach allows the Foundation to pursue ambitious, large-scale outcomes with a set of key partners while also remaining responsive to the broader community’s needs. While we do not accept unsolicited proposals for funding in our priority areas, we do encourage you to browse our grants and impact database and strategic priorities to determine our scope of interest — and if you believe you might be a fit, reach out to one of our program officers or submit your idea online.

Please note that this type of funding is not an opportunity for ongoing operating or program support, though it does allow us to work over multiple years with grantees focused on a specific set of goals and outcomes. While we continually work with grantees to adjust strategies and approaches, we expect to maintain a commitment to these broad priority areas over time.

Education

Approximately 23% of the Foundation’s annual grant making is devoted to strategic efforts to increase the quality and equity of Colorado’s public K-12 education system. Our K-12 education team uses this portfolio to support three key strategies: innovative learning environments, school system innovation, and conditions for sustained innovation.

• Innovative Learning Environments
• School System Innovation
• Conditions for Sustained Innovation

Natural Resources

Approximately 23% of the Foundation’s annual grant making is devoted to strategic efforts to protect and steward our state’s precious land and water resources. Our natural resources team uses this portfolio to support three key strategies: balanced water management, forest health and watershed restoration, and landscape conservation and land trust capacity building.

• Balanced Water Management
• Forest Health and Watershed Restoration
• Landscape Conservation and Land Trust Capacity Building

Community Development

Approximately 12% of the Foundation’s annual grant making is devoted to strategic efforts to increase the vitality and resilience of Colorado’s urban and rural communities. Our community development team uses this portfolio to support two key outcomes: economic mobility for families and individuals, and equitable community assets.

• Economic Mobility for Families and Individuals
• Equitable Community Assets

Informed Communities

Approximately 5% of the Foundation’s annual grant making is devoted to catalyzing innovations in Colorado’s civic news ecosystem that make it more collaborative, sustainable, and responsive to the communities it serves. Our Informed Communities team uses this portfolio to support three key priorities: a stronger civic news ecosystem, more coverage of Gates’ core issue areas, and more diverse and inclusive local news leadership, voices and models.

• Evolve and Strengthen the Civic News Ecosystem
• Address Gaps in Civic News Coverage
• Build Inclusive News Leaderships, Voices and Models

What is the Habitat Partnership Program? 

The purpose of the Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) is to reduce wildlife conflicts, particularly those associated with forage and fences, to assist Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in meeting game management objectives, to assist with private land conservation efforts, and enhance migratory corridors. HPP efforts are primarily aimed at agricultural operators, and focus on problems and objectives for deer, elk, pronghorn and moose.

Purpose

Our purpose is to:

• Work with private land managers, public land management agencies, sports persons, and other interested parties to reduce wildlife conflicts, particularly those associated with forage and fence issues related to big game ungulate species (deer, elk, moose, and pronghorn)
• Assist CPW in meeting game management objectives
• Assist with private land conservation efforts

The HPP is funded by 5% of the revenue from deer, elk, pronghorn, and moose hunting licenses in areas of the state covered by a local HPP committee. Matching contributions from project applicants are required for every project.

Enhance wildlife migration corridorsWhat types of projects can I do? 

While HPP does a variety of projects, related to HPP’s main purpose: to reduce conflicts between livestock and big game, to help CPW achieve game management objectives, to assist with private land conservation efforts, and enhance migratory corridors. Committees review projects that solve an immediate problem; for example, fence repairs. They also review projects that are longer term, such as habitat projects that take more planning time, implementation is more complex and results take longer. However, these types of projects, especially projects larger in scale and scope, are more valuable, cost-effective and have become a priority for HPP. The following is a non-exhaustive list of common projects:

• Fence projects: Fence removal and/or updating existing fences to a wildlife-friendly design. HPP is not responsible for fencing livestock in or out. Their role in fence projects is to minimize wildlife conflicts and improve grazing practices. Virtual fence projects must comply with the latest version of the HPP Virtual Fence Policy.
• Habitat Improvement: HPP may fund various habitat improvement projects, such as seeding, fertilization, weed control, vegetation thinning, prescribed burns, forage leases, and grazing management. Conflict reduction or improved wildlife herd distribution outcomes are required.
• Water development: HPP is a funding program, not a permitting program. While HPP may provide funding for projects, it is the responsibility of the applicant and/or landowner to obtain any necessary permits, approvals, licenses, surveys, water rights, etc. HPP will reimburse drilling costs for approved well projects only if enough water is found for a productive well. The State Council may require NRCS involvement.
• Conservation Easements: HPP may consider contributing to transaction costs of easements that protect the property's conservation values, particularly agricultural productivity, wildlife habitat, and hunting access.
• Emergency conflict response: HPP may participate in baiting operations and associated conflict relief efforts related to severe winter conditions.
• Research and Monitoring: HPP may participate in research activities related to wildlife and range, including those focusing on habitat conditions, populations, inventory, and movement patterns.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) offers farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners financial, cost-share assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural lands.

Participant Responsibilities

Applicants are responsible for completing and filing all application and eligibility paperwork as required. If funded, participants are required to sign a contract and agree to implement the planned conservation practices to NRCS standards and specifications as scheduled. Starting a practice prior to having written contract approval will result in the ineligibility of that practice from EQIP assistance unless a waiver has been approved.

Grantmaking Strategies

Since 1961, the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation has supported the health of our environment, reproductive justice, and the nurture of nature in Texas and Colorado. We are primarily interested in making investments that benefit one or more of the following geographic regions: greater Houston, central Texas and southwestern Colorado, as well as efforts of statewide significance in Texas.

We provide different types of support, including operating, project and capital grants, and are open to providing operating and project grants for terms of up to two years at a time.

Our grantmaking reflects our belief that the well-being of humans and nature are linked. We believe that our support of nature and natural spaces; the dignity, health, worth, and power of people — especially those under threat — is in direct service of the vision for a healthy and harmonious world.

With commitment, focus and a long-term vision, we invest toward environmental justice & conservation, reproductive rights & justice, parks & open space, environmental literacy, and animal care facilities.

Priorities

Environmental Justice & Conservation

The health and well-being of our communities, natural spaces, and critical species are inextricably linked and essential to one another. Key threats in our region include the pace and scale of new development, an expanding industrial footprint and continued reliance on gray infrastructure, all with few regulatory safeguards, contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, urban flooding, inadequate water supply, and air and water pollution. Communities of color and those with low incomes are disproportionately burdened by these environmental harms.

The Foundation invests in efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce harmful emissions; protect and steward land and water resources; and improve habitat and recover species of concern. The Foundation supports advocacy initiatives, community organizing, legal strategies and on-the-ground conservation, and values work that centers the vision and voices of those most impacted.

Reproductive Rights & Justice

Everyone should have reproductive autonomy and access to the full spectrum of reproductive care, no matter their income or the place they call home. However, access to reproductive services has become increasingly difficult, especially in Texas, and the lack of comprehensive care leads to unintended pregnancies and births. Unintended pregnancy, including teen pregnancy, is associated with a range of adverse outcomes for pregnant youth, adults, their families, and communities.

The Foundation invests in efforts to advance reproductive justice such as advocacy initiatives, community organizing and legal strategies, and values work that centers the vision and voices of those most burdened by restrictions on reproductive rights.

Parks & Open Space

Parks, trails and open spaces provide places for children, families and communities to connect with nature and each other. Parks provide opportunities for physical activity, support mental well-being and allow people to gain appreciation for the natural world. However, many residents within the Foundation’s geographies of interest do not live within the recommended 10-minute walk of a park, and there are disparities in the quality of local parks across communities.

The Foundation invests in efforts to develop and improve community parks and trail networks in central Texas, greater Houston and southwestern Colorado. The Foundation values park initiatives that benefit neighborhoods with a history of disinvestment, as well as efforts that engage residents in their design and implementation.

Environmental Literacy

Along with building critical thinking skills and improving academic achievement, environmental education enhances connections with nature and encourages future environmental stewardship. Ensuring that all children and youth have access to high-quality environmental education – particularly in the outdoors – will build knowledge, skills and motivation to tackle environmental challenges of today and tomorrow.

The Foundation invests in evidence-based environmental education programs, and values efforts that incorporate experiential learning, highlight local ecosystems, emphasize principles of environmental justice and are designed to benefit youth who have limited access to nature and are contending with environmental harms.

Animal Care Facilities

To maintain a healthy ecological balance, it is vital that we protect and care for animals, both domestic and wild. However, the built environment and human activity present hazards to wildlife within the Foundation’s geographic areas of interest, and challenges related to stray dogs and cats, animal cruelty, and pet ownership are pervasive.

The Foundation invests in organizations within central Texas, greater Houston and southwestern Colorado that rehabilitate ill or injured wildlife, as well as facilities that provide comprehensive, low-cost services for domestic animals. In addition, the Foundation is interested in efforts to create a more coordinated and efficient system of animal care in our communities.

Conservation Stewardship Program

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.

Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you identify natural resource problems in your operation and provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.

How It Works

If you are already taking steps to improve the condition of the land, chances are, CSP can help you find new ways to meet your goals.

NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts, using new conservation practices or activities, based on management objectives for your operation. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that expands on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations.

For example, if you have been planting a cover crop, you may decide to try an enhancement for a multi species cover crop or implement a deep-rooted cover crop to break up soil compaction and further improve the health of your soil.

CSP offers annual payments for implementing these practices on your land and operating and maintaining existing conservation efforts. Want to take it a step further? CSP also offers bundles where you can select a suite of enhancements and receive a higher payment rate.

Benefits

CSP is for working lands and is the largest conservation program in the United States. Thousands of people voluntarily enroll in the program because it helps them enhance natural resources and improve their business operation.

CSP participants are seeing real results.  Some of these benefits include:

• Enhanced resiliency to weather and market volatility
• Decreased need for agricultural inputs
• Improved wildlife habitat conditions

CSP Contracts

The program represents a genuine commitment to conservation – CSP contracts are for five years, with the opportunity to compete for a contract renewal if you successfully fulfill the initial contract and agree to achieve additional conservation objectives. An NRCS conservation planner will work closely with you, throughout the entire contract process.

Contract payments are based on two components:

• Payments to maintain the existing level of conservation, based on the land uses included in the contract and an NRCS assessment of existing stewardship at the time of enrollment, and
• Payments to implement additional conservation activities.

NRCS may provide a minimum annual payment of $1,500 in any year the Chief determines the total contract payment amount is below a base level.

Colorado Priority Resource Concerns

• Ag Land
  • Degraded Plant Condition
  • Field Sediment, Nutrient and Pathogen Loss
  • Field Pesticide Loss
  • Livestock Production Limitations
  • Soil Quality Limitations
  • Source Water Depletion
  • Pest Management
  • Wind & Water Erosion
• Non-Industrial Private Forests (NIPF)
  • Wind and Water Erosion
  • Degraded Plant Condition
  • Fire Management
  • Pest Pressure
  • Soil Quality Limitations
  • Source Water Depletion
  • Terrestrial Habitat
  • Weather Resilience

History

Over more than 25 years, the Fishing Is Fun program has supported nearly 300 angling improvement projects across the state, from the smallest towns on the Eastern Plains and the West Slope to the major metropolitan areas along the Front Range. In just the last few years, grants have been awarded for projects in or near Steamboat Springs, Lake City, Hudson, Idaho Springs, Pueblo and nearly two dozen other locations. Project sponsors have included open-space programs, water trusts, angling organizations, local and county governments and park and recreation departments.

Fishing Is Fun Grant Program

The Fishing Is Fun program provides up to $700,000 annually in matching grants to local and county governments, park and recreation departments, angling organizations, water districts and others for projects to improve angling opportunities in Colorado. For over 30 years, the program has supported 375 angling improvement projects across the state.

Project Types

Among the types of projects supported through Fishing Is Fun are stream and river habitat improvements, access improvements, perpetual easements for public access, pond and lake habitat improvements, fish retention structures, development of new fishing ponds, and amenity improvements such as shade shelters, benches and restrooms.

The four categories of projects are:

New Angler Access 

This category covers projects developing access to streams and lakes that have been previously closed to the public or to lands that are owned by public agencies but have been largely inaccessible by the public for lack of development or other site challenges. Access can be accomplished by easements, leases, or in some cases, fee title acquisition. It can also include site and facility development associated with that access such as trails or access steps to fishing waters.

Habitat Development

Includes in-stream structures, bank stabilization, erosion control, revegetation, submerged fish habitat improvements, and renovation to irrigation diversion structures to facilitate fish migration or float angling access.

Fishing Site Improvements 

This category includes development activities at existing public fishing sites such as restrooms, angler trails, fishing piers, shade shelters, parking lots, and other angler amenities.

Boat Access 

This category covers all types of amenities associated with motor boat access. Projects can be on rivers or lakes and include improvements such as boat ramps, docks, restrooms, parking lots, fencing and access road improvements.

Fishing Is Fun projects often include one or more of the following elements:

• Construction or renovation of public fishing ponds
• Construction or renovation of boat ramps, docks, or fishing piers
• Restrooms
  • If restrooms are involved, they must be an integral part of a fisheries project and substantially benefit anglers. Grant funding must be commensurate with the overall project benefit to anglers, i.e. costs may be pro-rated to reflect anticipated angler share of usage. 
• Stream or lake habitat improvement structures
• Fencing of stream riparian habitat
• Facility improvements such as access trails, parking, shade shelters, bank stabilization
• Angler access structures
• Public access for stream or lake fishing by fee title, easement, or lease 
  • If new public access involving a property interest (i.e. access easement, fee title acquisition) is part of a project, the sponsor must contact the FIF program coordinator early in the process and prior to submitting the application. Additional requirements are involved with real estate actions that must be addressed by CPW staff.

Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants

The WSRF Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: ­

• Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance
• Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural, consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities ­
• Design of structural projects or activities
• Infrastructure replacement or maintenance projects
• Activities that promote education, outreach, and innovation consistent with the mission and goals of the Colorado Water Plan.

Requests for funds from the WSRF program must be approved by at least one of Colorado’s nine basin roundtables prior to submitting an application. The request is then forwarded to the CWCB to evaluate and make final funding decisions.

Grants may be coupled with any low-interest loan to make up funding needs. 

About

The Preservation Leadership Forum of the National Trust for Historic Preservation is a network of preservation leaders — professionals, students, volunteers, activists, experts — who share the latest ideas, information, and advice, and have access to in-depth preservation resources and training.

Southwest Intervention Fund

Grants from the National Trust’s Southwest Intervention Fund are intended to further preservation efforts of the traditional cultures of the Southwest region, exclusively in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, West Texas (West Texas is defined as the area west of US Route 281 from the Oklahoma border to San Antonio proper and north of US Route 90 from San Antonio proper to Del Rio) and Utah. The Fund provides support for preservation planning efforts and enables prompt responses to emergency threats or opportunities in the eligible states. Local partners, nonprofit organizations and government agencies that have strategic opportunities to save sites or help jumpstart preservation projects are eligible for the fund’s small, catalytic grants. Grants generally range from $2,500 to $10,000.

The Fund can support assistance for a single prehistoric or historic place or actions affecting an entire state or part of a state, or several states, so long as all of the states are among the five designated states. Actions aimed at direct intervention to save historic and cultural sites and at capacity building are eligible.

The decision to pursue project funding through the Southwest Intervention Fund must be made in consultation with the National Trust grants office. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your project.  

Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants

The WSRF Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: ­

• Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance
• Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural, consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities ­
• Design of structural projects or activities
• Infrastructure replacement or maintenance projects

The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership

The Desert Fish Habitat Partnership (DFHP) seeks to address fish and habitat issues over a broad geographic area that encompasses the entirety of the Great Basin and Mohave deserts, and those por­tions of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts that lie within the United States.

The benefits of aquatic habitat conservation extend beyond desert fishes to include humans and other animal and plant species.

Riparian habitats that depend on surface water not only support a significant number of terrestrial and avian species identified as priority conservation species in state wildlife action plans, but also function to store water that supplements groundwater recharge.

The declining status of so many desert fishes highlights the importance of preserving these aquatic habitats so that water is available not only for the native fish, but also for future generations of humans.

The Partnership plays an important role in conserving water in the West for future generations.

As one of 20 federally recognized National Fish Habitat Partnerships, DFHP is a collaborative effort between 11 western states, federal agencies, sovereign tribes, non-governmental organizations, and private conservation groups that seek to cooperatively conserve native desert fish species across their historic ranges by protecting, restoring, and enhancing aquatic ecosystems.  Project funding is made available to grantees annually through the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) Board.

Goals

• Protect healthy intact aquatic systems supporting native desert fish habitats.
• Prevent further degradation of impaired desert fish habitats
• Reverse declines in the quality and quantity of desert fish habitats to improve health and resiliency of desert fish and other aquatic species
• Increase the quality and quantity of desert fish habitats that support a broad natural diversity of desert aquatic species
• Contribute to the success of national efforts to protect and enhance aquatic habitats by participating in the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP)

Three Conservation Priorities

• Integrate State Wildlife Action Plan priorities with the National Fish Habitat Action Plan strategies to include the following:
  • protect intact and healthy habitats
  • restore and maintain flow and water levels
  • restore connectivity, while protecting native populations at-risk from non-native encroachment
  • remediate and minimize sediments and excessive input of nutrients to habitats supporting species at-risk
• Implement on-the-ground projects that focus actions to protect the most under-served, imperiled desert fish species identified in state wildlife action plans to enhance their conservation status and prevent their extirpation and extinction.
• Prioritize projects to conserve and restore habitat for the most under-served, imperiled desert fish species.

Available Funding

The America’s Conservation Enhancement Act authorizes an appropriation of $7.2 million in NFHP funds for FY2024 projects. However, the exact amount of funding available to DFHP varies annually and is not known at this time. Typical funding per project is within the range of $5k-$50k; however, proposals requesting over $50k are still welcome and considered.

Land, facilities, and civic infrastructure are long-term assets that can transform the ability of nonprofit and community organizations to serve Colorado communities. For this reason, the Gates Family Foundation invests in capital projects across the state, in both rural and urban areas. We strive to be responsive to each community’s unique needs and opportunities.

Our capital grants are generally limited to comprehensive capital campaigns, which are typically for building purchases, construction, expansion, renovation, and/or land acquisition. Only nonprofit organizations with capital projects that benefit Colorado and its residents are qualified to apply. When making funding decisions, we prioritize:

• Projects that address root problems with substantive solutions
• Projects with strong evidence of support from the community and the organization’s board
• Projects in rural and low-income areas across Colorado where there are fewer individuals and institutions providing support for capital projects
• Projects that serve individuals and communities of color who have faced historic inequities and lack of access to funding
• Projects that reinforce the foundation’s strategic priorities in K-12 public education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities
• Projects that address climate change, and/or incorporate green building and sustainable development practices

Priority Funding Areas

We fund capital projects within five categories that overlap somewhat with the Foundation’s strategic priorities, but are broader in scope in order to be more responsive to community needs.

Arts & Culture

The Foundation supports cultural organizations that:

• enhance the quality of community life while also strengthening the economy
• link a community with its heritage and contribute to usable community infrastructure
• serve as an educational resource for children, youth, and adults.

Funding examples in this area are:

• libraries & museums
• community theaters
• performing arts organizations
• historic preservation that contributes to community revitalization

Education

The Foundation supports major capital projects for:

• charter schools that serve a substantial proportion of low-income students (generally, at least 50% of the student body will qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch), have demonstrated high academic achievement, and are utilizing a sustainable financial model
• public schools in rural areas that have planned capital improvements which are heavily used by the community, and that reinforce the long-term viability of the area
• licensed early childhood education centers with particular, but not exclusive, interest in rural areas of the state to assure readiness for elementary school and to strengthen rural economies
• organizations that provide life-long learning and experiential learning to a broad audience
• independent school and public and private university capital campaigns on a highly selective basis

Funding examples in this area:

• participation in the matching requirement for a charter school receiving a BEST grant
• rural school improving its auditorium or athletic field for school and community use
• rural community establishing an early childhood education center to fill an unmet need
• early childhood education center making significant facility improvements in order to advance the quality of care for the children served
• facility improvements for an organization that provides adult GED, literacy, or vocational training
• on a highly selective basis, support for public and private universities with campaigns to improve their science, technology, library, and engineering related facilities

Well-being of Children, Youth & Families

The Foundation supports organizations that encourage individuals to:

• develop greater self-sufficiency, including the well-being and independence of disadvantaged families and the elderly
• increase leadership and life skills
• maintain good health and well-being rather than cure disease

Funding examples in this area:

• human service organizations promoting self-sufficiency
• community and senior centers
• family resource centers
• youth mentoring organizations
• nonprofit dental clinics
• residential treatment centers for youth
• transitional housing facilities
• job training
• rural health centers (non-FQHC)

Parks & Recreation

The Foundation supports capital projects that:

• invest in land and water protection that safeguards important natural resources, habitat, and the health of natural systems
• help preserve the state’s ranching and agricultural legacy and encourage smart land use patterns
• construct and improve urban and mountain parks and open space for public recreation and access
• maintain the state’s urban and mountain trail systems
• provide recreation, environmental education and leadership opportunities for young people
• encourage the spirit of scientific inquiry as well as the preservation of natural habitat

Funding examples in this area:

• land conservation and easement purchases
• greenways and trail systems
• outdoor/indoor recreation facilities
• urban public spaces and community gardens

Community Development & Revitalization

The Foundation invests in projects that:

• have the potential to reinforce and enhance the economic vitality of a community
• involve partnerships between public and private sector organizations that seek to improve the economic and cultural health of communities

Funding examples in this area:

• restoration of historically significant architecture that contributes to community revitalization
• development of rural main streets as a means of promoting community revitalization
• heritage tourism as a means of promoting economic health for rural areas
• public-private partnerships for economic development

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) offer grant funding for regional collaboration and conservation and recreation planning under the Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative (RPI). Coalitions are invited to join a network of Regional Partnerships working to ensure that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive while also providing equitable and quality outdoor recreation experiences. Grant funding supports coalitions at all stages of development, including those just forming and those already funded under the RPI.

Eligible grant funding opportunities include: development, coordination, and facilitation of a regional coalition, governance structure and charter development, regional conservation and recreation visioning and planning, recreation and conservation assessments, mapping, data collection and surveys, public outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts including traditionally underrepresented communities, webpage design, marketing and communications, and more.

The fall 2024 funding round offers two types of grants. Grants are offered for the duration of one to two years, including Partnership Capacity Grants and Plan Development Grants.

Partnership Capacity Grants

$50,000 - $150,000 for one to two-year terms for newly forming collaboratives.

Funding supports Regional Partnership collaboratives that are committed to convening a broad range of outdoor interests to identify and advance conservation and sustainable outdoor recreation objectives in alignment with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy. Collaboratives focused on areas where there are no established Regional Partnerships are a priority for this category.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About the Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program

The Partners in the Outdoors Program is a platform for networking and collaboration to advance and balance outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado.​ To support these efforts, Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides grant funds to assist our partners across the state who are helping to achieve this goal.​

Common Ground Program

Chaffee County Community Foundation is honored to partner with Chaffee County and the Chaffee County Citizens Advisory Committee to administer the Chaffee County Common Ground Program funds.

Program Goals

• Strengthening forest health and reducing wildfire danger
• Conserving and supporting agricultural lands and rural landscapes
• Managing the impacts of growth

Competitive Grant Program Goals

• Strengthen forest health to protect the community from a large wildfire, protect water quality, and enhance wildlife habitat through planning and execution of forest treatment activities.
• Conserve and support working ranches, farms and rural landscapes through conservation easements and tools that enhance economic viability and longevity of working lands.
• Protect landscapes and watershed health from negative impacts of outdoor recreation use through management, hardening, restoration, and education to disperse use and support conservation values.
• Encourage action at scale across the landscape, to include landownership/management boundaries.
• Encourage collaborative thought and action across funding categories.
• Fund successful programs.
• Maximize impact by working to leverage overall Chaffee Common Ground funds by at least 2-1 through cash and in-kind matches on all combined programs (exceptions are permitted for individual programs).

Recreation Impacts Management Grants

Recreation Impacts Management Grants are for the execution of projects that protect landscape and watershed health from negative impacts resulting from outdoor recreation use. Applications must be from a qualified organization or private landowners with a nexus to public land access and in collaboration with a qualified land management agency, such as US Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife or Bureau of Land Management.

Funding

• Request minimum: 5,001 per year
• Request maximum: $100,000 per year

For proposals of $50,000 or more, the applicant demonstrates a track record of success with a program of similar scope and scale.

Mission

The Colorado Water Conservation Board's mission is to conserve, develop, protect and manage Colorado's water for present and future generations.

Background

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) represents each major water basin in the state, the Denver Metro Area, and other state agencies in our joint effort to use water wisely and protect our water for future generations.

The CWCB was created over 80 years ago and today it remains Colorado's most comprehensive water information resource. The agency works on a broad range of programs and provides technical and financial assistance to support the Colorado Water Plan.

Governed by a 15-member Board, the CWCB's responsibilities include protecting Colorado's streams and lakes, flood mitigation, watershed protection, stream restoration, drought planning, water supply planning, and water project financing. The CWCB also works to protect the state's water apportionments in collaboration with other western states and federal agencies.

Each CWCB program is directed by the agency's Strategic Framework, as well as through Statutory Authorities and Responsibilities. Reviewed annually by the Board, the Strategic Plan also contains a Board Member Work Plan, which guides the Board's actions and helps implement the authorities and objectives of the CWCB.

Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program - newly established in 2022 - provides grant funding in two categories: statewide education and outreach initiatives, as well as financial support for designated individual coordinators who support basin-specific outreach and education efforts alongside each of the state’s basin roundtables. All PEPO grant applications and requested funds must be approved by one of the nine basin roundtables through a letter of support from the basin roundtable chair.

Basin Coordinator

Each of Colorado’s nine river basin roundtables may support an organization or individual to apply for grant funding of up to $25,000 to fund a single PEPO Coordinator. The PEPO coordinator’s primary task will be to coordinate with CWCB and the basin roundtable(s) in all education and outreach activities within their respective basin. This includes coordinating with CWCB prior to roundtable meetings and at up to three regular meetings per year in order to have the most up to date information on coordinated outreach efforts and grant fund balances. The basin coordinators are tasked with developing and implementing water education activities in the basin that support education and outreach efforts for public awareness around water issues and what the roundtables are working on. These efforts must be consistent with the Colorado Water Plan and their respective Basin Implementation Plan.

Basin Coordinator funds may be distributed to the individual or organization subcontractors approved by the basin roundtable with the intention of completing the tasks within the relevant scope of work as identified in the application. Applicants may use funds to cover both time and materials needed.

About Us

Mission

The Colorado Water Conservation Board's mission is to conserve, develop, protect and manage Colorado's water for present and future generations.

Overview

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) represents each major water basin in the state, the Denver Metro Area, and other state agencies in our joint effort to use water wisely and protect our water for future generations.

The CWCB was created over 80 years ago and today it remains Colorado's most comprehensive water information resource. The agency works on a broad range of programs and provides technical and financial assistance to support the Colorado Water Plan.

Governed by a 15-member Board, the CWCB's responsibilities include protecting Colorado's streams and lakes, flood mitigation, watershed protection, stream restoration, drought planning, water supply planning, and water project financing. The CWCB also works to protect the state's water apportionments in collaboration with other western states and federal agencies.

Each CWCB program is directed by the agency's Strategic Framework, as well as through Statutory Authorities and Responsibilities. Reviewed annually by the Board, the Strategic Plan also contains a Board Member Work Plan, which guides the Board's actions and helps implement the authorities and objectives of the CWCB.

Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program - newly established in 2022 - provides grant funding in two categories: statewide education and outreach initiatives, as well as financial support for designated individual coordinators who support basin-specific outreach and education efforts alongside each of the state’s basin roundtables.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has authority to transfer funds out of the Perpetual Base Fund to the Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF). When Senate Bill SB 21-281 restructured severance tax distributions, the CWCB opted to dedicate a portion of the statewide account funds to better support the roundtables’ Public Education Participation and Outreach (PEPO) liaisons in each of the basins and to support some larger statewide CWCB and PEPO led initiatives. The resultant Public Education Participation and Outreach Grants were developed for this purpose and are approved annually by the CWCB Board.

Statewide Initiatives

This grant category funds education and outreach-related initiatives that are focused either statewide or multi-basin. These efforts include but are not limited to advancing a single statewide effort, developing new initiatives of statewide importance, funding statewide awareness surveys, and developing education campaigns that can support public awareness efforts on water issues across the state. These efforts must demonstrate multi-basin support and must be aligned with CWCB priorities. 

 Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative Grant Program

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) offer grant funding to support and grow a network of regionally driven collaboratives working to ensure that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive while also providing exceptional, equitable, and safe access to quality outdoor recreation experiences through the development and implementation of regional visions, goals, objectives, and collective actions that advance Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy (COS) to achieve the following outcomes:

• Conservation and restoration of lands and waters help wildlife and biodiversity thrive; habitats are resilient and connected; communities benefit from healthy ecosystems and agricultural lands.
• A diversity of high-quality outdoor recreation experiences are accessible, equitable, and inclusive; management and stewardship enhance benefits and minimize impacts for people, landscapes, and local communities.

For areas that do not have a partnership, these grants support collaborative efforts to establish a coalition that is committed to convening a broad range of outdoor interests to identify and advance conservation and sustainable recreation objectives. For areas with established Regional Partnerships, grant funds support collaboration, public involvement, research, planning, and plan implementation. 

With the Regional Partnerships Initiative, coalitions representing regions across Colorado, are provided tools, resources, best practices, and connections to a statewide network of recreation and conservation leaders. Designated CPW staff support the growth and development of regional coalitions and provide information as needed.

Capacity, Plan Development, and Early Wins Grant

$50,000 - $350,000 for one to three-year terms to support Regional Partnership capacity and work to complete a regional conservation and recreation plan that aligns with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy. May include early win projects that support collaboration and/or advance regional planning. This funding is for Regional Partnership collaboratives who are in the process of developing a regional plan.

In partnership with the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA), GOCO offers funding for our partners to hire conservation service corps for outdoor recreation and natural resource stewardship projects. The GOCO board currently commits $1,000,000 per year to the program and another $500,000 through GOCO’s investment in Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

CYCA is a statewide coalition of eight accredited conservation service corps that employ and train youth, young adults, and veterans (typically ages 14–25). Through their work, corps members understand and address stewardship issues facing Colorado, including water conservation, land use, fire danger, and the impact of invasive species. Young people also contribute to their communities and gain job readiness and leadership skills that prepare them for future careers in the natural resource sector. In addition, most corps members earn a stipend for their service and an AmeriCorps education award to use toward attending college or reducing their existing student loans. CYCA-accredited corps serve more than 1,700 participants each year.

Conservation service corps crews complete a variety of projects, including:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Tamarisk, Russian olive, and other invasive species mitigation – chainsaw crews, including pesticide/herbicide application, are available
• Fence installation and de-construction
• Wildlife habitat improvement
• Riparian restoration
• Beetle kill hazard mitigation – chainsaw crews available
• Fire fuels mitigation – chainsaw crews available

Youth corps crews work on a “per week” basis. One week includes 8–10 people who work at least 320 hours collectively. There is no maximum grant request, but applicants must request a minimum of two weeks’ worth of work.

Projects Bill Grants

Projects Bill Grants (formerly Non-Reimbursable Project Investments) are CWCB Board authorized state-wide investments for regional supply needs that do not fit within other CWCB grant programs. Grants also require approval by the General Assembly. Matching funds are typically required, and the amount of funding can vary annually, but is generally between $1 million - $10 million. 

Projects eligible for the Projects Bill Grant Program include:

Projects, programs or studies of statewide impact or importance, such as: ­

• Administration of compact-entitled waters; ­
• Facilitation of solutions to regional water supply problems; ­
• Addressing federal water rights issues; ­
• Recovery or conservation of threatened or endangered species within riparian ecosystems; ­
• Development and management of a state monitoring system for collection and development of hydrologic and climatologic data; and ­
• River restoration and floodplain management projects affecting agriculture, recreation or other industries that economically impact significant areas of the state.

Feasibility studies and demonstration projects designed to answer questions related to statewide water issues or that have significant potential to result in a CWCB Water Project Loan.

Examples of projects appropriate for a Projects Bill Grant:

• Funding for the non-federal cost-share funding for the Frying Pan-Arkansas project (Arkansas Valley Conduit) to provide quality drinking water to six counties in the lower Arkansas Valley.
• Republican River Compact compliance efforts - provided matching cash incentives to producers to reduce irrigation/facilitate land retirement within the South Fork of the Republican River to meet compact compliance obligations as outlined in a Resolution and subsequent Amendment approved by the Republican River Compact Administration.
• Windy Gap Bypass Project - Construction of a connectivity channel around Windy Gap Reservoir on the Colorado River near the confluence of the Fraser River. Reconnecting the River and its habitat while maintaining Windy Gap Dam and pump plant operations. The project creates fish passage and is expected to significantly improve aquatic habitat conditions.

Examples of projects typically inappropriate for a Projects Bill Grant:

• Water Treatment type projects
• Projects that can be completed without additional state grant funding
• Projects that can be funded by Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) and Water Plan Grants to significantly improve aquatic habitat conditions.

Overview

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is requesting proposals to restore, protect and enhance aquatic and riparian species of conservation concern and their habitats in the headwaters of the Colorado River and Rio Grande watersheds. Up to $1.3 million in funding is expected to be available through support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Trinchera Blanca Foundation, an affiliate of The Moore Charitable Foundation. 

Geographic Focus/Program Funding Priorities

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is part of NFWF’s Southwest Rivers Program and will provide funding to projects that produce measurable outcomes for species of conservation concern in the riparian corridors of the headwaters of the Colorado River and Rio Grande. The Rio Grande Headwaters Focal Area includes the mainstem and headwater tributaries of the Rio Grande in Colorado and northern New Mexico, as well as the headwaters of the Rio Chama, Jemez River, and Rio Puerco. The Colorado River Focal Area includes selected tributaries and headwaters of the Colorado River including the Escalante, Gila, Salt, San Juan, Verde and Virgin Rivers (see Figure 1). Projects located in the San Juan River watershed in southwestern Colorado should be submitted to the concurrent RESTORE Colorado 2025 RFP.

Priority projects will address the leading factors in aquatic and riparian species decline such as loss of natural processes and habitat, environmental change and invasive species. Projects employing process-based methods of wetlands and riparian restoration are highly encouraged. Maintaining healthy headwater wetlands and riparian areas provide security by improving the reliability of late season flows for water users, fish and wildlife downstream. Projects benefiting one or more of the following species and their habitats are priorities for funding:

• Business Plan focal species in the Rio Grande Headwaters Focal Area include Rio Grande cutthroat trout, North American beaver and southwestern willow flycatcher.
• The focal species in the Colorado River Focal Area is North American beaver. 

Western Colorado Community Foundation

The Western Colorado Community Foundation, a nonprofit public charity, was founded in 1996 by local community leaders in Grand Junction. It operates in a seven-county region, including Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Rio Blanco Counties.

Initially starting with committed citizens but limited funds, the foundation now oversees over 330 charitable funds and nearly $170 million in total assets. Annually, it distributes $6.6 million in grants and scholarships to benefit the region.

Mission

The mission of the Western Colorado Community Foundation is to promote charitable giving, build and manage charitable funds for community good, and provide grants, scholarships, and other resources to benefit the residents and communities of western Colorado.

CORE FUND

Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, and Environment

Our Community Foundation launched the CORE Fund in 2019 with support from a generous group of founders and friends passionate about the three focus areas: conservation, outdoor recreation, and the environment. Given the broad spectrum CORE covers and WCCF’s finite resources, we work with our non-profit partners to support programs and projects with high-impact for the people and places of western Colorado. Some recent examples of funded projects include: the Outdoor Wilderness Lab (OWL) western Colorado’s only outdoor school that offers outdoor experiences through science-based curriculum to all D51 6th graders; the Colorado Water Trust’s work to keep flows in the Colorado River above the confluence with Gunnison River; and Citizens for Clean Air biochar study that aims to keep carbon in the ground and reduce harmful burning practices.

The Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment(CDPHE), Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) funds NPS projects to help meet its two overarchingobjectives to restore and protect waterbodies from NPS pollution. This announcement requestssubmittal of NPS project applications that will be considered for Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 319(h) grant funds (Section 319 NPS). The 2022 Nonpoint SourceManagement Plan provides more guidance about NPS projects that can be funded. Applicants must beable to enter into cost reimbursement contracts with the State for projects chosen during acompetitive process that begins with this funding announcement.

Honda Corporate Funding

Honda’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vision is to help people fulfill their life’s potential. We do this by supporting the communities where we live and work through financial contributions and the volunteer efforts of Honda associates.

Honda offers funding opportunities for programmatic support and community event sponsorships.

Programmatic Support

Honda and the Honda USA Foundation provide funding to nonprofit organizations and schools to support programs that align with our pillar award categories.

Year-over-year certain pillar award categories may not always be open for funding, are subject to change, and in some cases, Honda may extend invitation-only opportunities to select community partners.

Environment Pillar Award:

Honda is working to reduce our environmental impact, which is central to our sustainability vision. Our approach focuses on three key areas: decarbonizing our products and operations, using clean energy, and using natural resources efficiently. Through education, awareness, and infrastructure programs, we are seeking to support programs within our communities that share our mission to protect the health of our planet.

Background

We support non-profit organizations committed to making an impact in addressing environmental problems, engaging in conservation and resource protections, and tackling social concerns. Through these small and mid-scale grants, we aim to support like-minded organizations with missions that align with the work of the Wright-Ingraham Institute. The Wright-Ingraham Institute has been awarding grants since 2012. In that time, we have awarded more than $400,000 to over 65 organizations.

Focus Areas

Our grants are designed to help address problems in three main areas.

Climate Change

Today, efforts to cope with the climate crisis are estimated to be costing the global economy approximately $3 trillion annually. We support organizations that are actively solving problems of how to bring clean air and water to global communities, how to prevent or stem natural disasters and meteorological events, and how to best promote sustainable practices and support renewable sources of energy.

Land Issues

Our grants strengthen organizations that are looking at different ways to apply concepts of sustainability, including ways to reverse the loss of fragile ecosystems that connect people and animals with land, or that work at the nexus of food, fuel and shelter. Additionally, we seek to better understand how human systems and natural systems intersect one another.

Wildlife Conservation

We support organizations that are working courageously on ways to conserve and preserve important wildlife habitats, as globalization continues to seek to develop every corner of the globe.

Sustaining Grants

These grants are awarded to a range of organizations working in wide variety of areas related to the overall mission of the Wright-Ingraham Institute. Special preference for these awards is given to Colorado-based institutions.

Amount: $5,000