Open Grant Program for Colorado

Outdoor Equity & Environmental Grants

Outdoor Equity Grant Program – Colorado Parks and Wildlife

• Purpose: Supports programs that provide equitable access to outdoor recreation for underserved youth.

• Status: The Grant Interest Form submission period was from April 18 to June 2, 2025.

• Note: The application period for 2025 has closed. (Wikipedia, Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

Forest Restoration & Wildfire Risk Mitigation Grant Program – Colorado State Forest Service

• Purpose: Funds community-level actions to reduce wildfire risk, promote forest health, and utilize woody materials for traditional forest products and biomass energy.

• 2025–2026 Cycle:

  • Application Period: August 1, 2025 – October 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

• Eligibility: Entities with infrastructure or land ownership in areas with high wildfire risk.

• More Info: (Colorado State Forest Service)(Colorado State Forest Service)

Education & Youth Development Grants

State Grants to Libraries – Colorado Department of Education

• Purpose: Provides funding to support library services and programs.

• 2024–2025 Cycle:

  • Application Opens: July 23, 2025.

  • Final Expenditure Report Due: August 31, 2025.

  • Final Report Due: September 15, 2025.

• More Info: (Colorado Department of Education)(Colorado Department of Education)

BEST Grant Program – Colorado Department of Education

• Purpose: Provides competitive grants for school construction and renovations.

• Note: Over $3 billion has been awarded to improve schools.

• More Info: (Colorado Department of Education)(Colorado Department of Education)

Community & Capacity-Building Grants

The Denver Foundation – Civic Fabric Fund

• Purpose: Supports nonprofit organizations' policy and advocacy efforts at the state and local levels, including community engagement and coalition building.

• Grant Range: $15,000 – $30,000.

• Application Period: August 1, 2025 – September 15, 2025.

• More Info: (Denver Foundation)(Denver Foundation)

The Denver Foundation – Colorado AAPI Circle Fund

• Purpose: Supports nonprofit organizations that serve, support, and address the needs of Asian, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Colorado.

• Grant Range: $1,000 – $4,000.

• Application Period: August 1, 2025 – September 15, 2025.

• More Info: (Denver Foundation)(Denver Foundation)

The Denver Foundation – Denver Reparations Fund

• Purpose: Focuses on rebuilding and sustaining institutions and traditions affected by the enslavement of African and African descendant people.

• Grant Range: $2,500 – $7,500.

• Application Period: August 1, 2025 – September 15, 2025.

• More Info: (Denver Foundation)(Wikipedia, Denver Foundation)

Housing & Urban Development Grants

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Fee Reduction and Encouragement Grant Program

• Purpose: Assists low- and moderate-income Coloradans in building ADUs through down payment assistance, low-interest loans, and interest rate reductions.

• Status: The program is still rolling out, and application dates and detailed requirements are forthcoming.

• More Info: (Business Insider)(Business Insider)

Academic & Research Grants

GSC Travel Grant – Colorado State University

• Purpose: Provides funding for graduate students to attend academic conferences.

• Grant Tiers:

  • Tier 1: 6 grants of $500.

  • Tier 2: 12 grants of $250.

• Usage: Funds must be used by May 30, 2025.

• More Info: (gsc.colostate.edu)(gsc.colostate.edu)