Buell Foundation Grant

The Buell Foundation Grant supports organizations that enhance children's education and development in Colorado. Focused on underserved communities, it prioritizes early childhood programs, evaluations, and quality improvements. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $50,000, directing funds to those committed to impactful initiatives. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or government entities with a dedication to non-discrimination and community engagement. The foundation aims to create sustainable support for programs that foster positive outcomes for children.

NOTE: We encourage you to call the Program Officer for your region before you apply. Through this call, you can determine whether your project is a good fit for the Foundation, determine an appropriate request amount, and get all of your questions answered.
What We Fund
At the Buell Foundation, we believe in the power of investing in quality programs to create lasting, positive changes in Colorado. Our focus is on partnering with organizations that have proven, promising, or developing programs dedicated to helping children thrive.
Our goal is to work hand-in-hand with exceptional organizations to improve the systems that serve children, with a particular emphasis on programs that support underserved communities.
We value the people behind these programs and are here to support you every step of the way.
Areas of Interest
Our funding strategy focuses on one primary area of interest:

• Early Childhood Education and Development

At the Buell Foundation, we believe in the potential of young children. As we work to support Colorado communities in raising thriving kids, we seek grant partners who work in the following areas:
Assessment and evaluation: We support a variety of assessments used to gauge the effectiveness of programs and progress of program participants. This may include process/fidelity measures as well as outcome measures (e.g., Teaching Strategies GOLD, Adult-Adolescent Parenting Index, Social Competence Scale, etc.). Early childhood education and preschool programs: We support licensed child care centers and preschools that have a commitment to quality improvement and serving children from diverse populations. We also support the early learning components of community-based programs, such as family literacy. Home visitation: We support evidence-based and evidence-informed home visiting programs with a focus on supporting positive parenting skills and increased knowledge about child development. Improvements directly related to quality: We support ongoing quality improvement of all programs. This includes funding for materials, additional staff, coaching, and quality ratings. Parenting education: We support evidence-based and evidence-informed parenting education programs with a focus on supporting positive parenting skills and increased knowledge about child development. Professional development and education: We support projects that facilitate early childhood professionals’ access to college-level coursework, mentoring, or community-based trainings.
Grant types we prioritize:

• Program/project support and/or planningOperating supportTechnical assistanceCapital improvements (limited child care programs)
• Attributes we prioritize:

Organizations/projects serving rural or underserved populations (e.g., low-income families, teen parents, communities of color, etc.) where there are fewer individuals and institutions providing financial supportOrganizations/projects with evidence of engaging community members to inform project priorities and best meet community needs (e.g., a parent advisory board, focus groups with local families, etc.). This includes collaboration with local stakeholders, such as the region’s early childhood council, a family resource center, the school district, and/or elected officialsProjects that leverage public funding as sustainable revenue sources (e.g., the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program and Universal Preschool Program)Organizations with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement

Eligibility

We provide grants to organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or government entities. Applicants must be categorized as “not a private foundation” under section 509(a) of the Code. Some specific requirements follow:Demonstrated alignment with the Foundation’s mission and areas of interestNo more than nine months of operating reserve availableOne grant request per yearNon-discrimination policy in place that aligns with that of the Buell Foundation (see below for additional information)

Ineligibility

The Foundation will not fund abstinence-only programs.Please note that beyond our general funding guidelines, we do not fund several specific types of agencies or activities:Crisis Pregnancy CentersDebt reliefEndowmentsIndividualsInternational programs and activitiesLegislative lobbying or support of political candidatesLitigationMedical programsPrograms outside the state of ColoradoProjects promoting religion