Colorado's First Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program
Nonprofit Infrastructure Grants
The Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program is for small nonprofits in historically-marginalized communities that need more foundational help following COVID-19. Applications open July 5, 2023.
About the Program
Community Shares of Colorado is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to select and administer the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant in Dolores, El Paso, La Plata, Mesa, Montezuma, San Juan, Teller, and Weld counties.
The Nonprofit Infrastructure (NPI) Grant has been created for small nonprofits, with annual budgets between $150,000 and $2,000,000, that can show they have been impacted or disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Applying organizations or groups must have a track record of providing effective, culturally appropriate, and relevant programs and services to their communities who have historically been underrepresented, underserved, or under-resourced in Colorado.
The governing bodies and staff of these organizations must consist of a majority of residents who live in the communities they serve, have a history of providing services in specific communities in the state, and have their main offices in one of the communities that they serve.
Eligibility Requirements
The following organizations are eligible to apply for the NPI Grant:
Nonprofit Organization
A small community-based charitable or social welfare organization that has been impacted or disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 public health emergency.
Fiscal Agent
A tax-exempt charitable organization or social welfare organization operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with a small community-based nonprofit organization (NPO) that may or may not have its own tax-exempt status.
Fiscal Sponsor
A tax-exempt charitable or social welfare group operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with small community-based groups (SCBG) that are not registered NPOs.
Not sure which to apply as?
Follow this chart to find out if your organization is eligible.
Applying organizations must also demonstrate that their services meet community-identified needs, including:
- Health Equity
- Workforce Development
- Community Economic Development
- Early Childhood Care
- Education Support
- Housing
- Food Justice
- Other community-identified need
Using Grant Funds
The NPI Grant Program will provide funding for infrastructure improvements that are intended to positively impact an organization’s
operational structure.
Grant funds may be used toward things like:
- Strategic planning and organizational development
- Professional development for staff and board
- Research
- Data technology, data collection and/or technology infrastructure
- Marketing and communications
- Existing program expansion, development or evaluation
Grant funds cannot be used toward programming or capital improvements, including:
- Real estate or land acquisition
- Building construction, renovation or improvement
- Payment of debt
- Advocacy or lobbying
- Organizing
- Endowments or reserves
How to Apply
The application timeline is July 5, 2023 through August 31, 2023. Interested nonprofit organizations will apply for the NPI Grant through Community Shares of Colorado.
We are here to support you with technical assistance throughout the application process.
Please review the FAQs to learn more, or contact our NPI Grant Administrator at NPI@cshares.org or 303-861-7507.
Learn More About our Partnership With the Colorado Department of Local Affairs
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is collaborating with Community Shares of Colorado and seven other organizations across the state to help select and administer the NPI Grant. Learn more about the NPI Grant Program and DOLA.