CCCF: Common Ground Program - Mini Grants

The CCCF: Common Ground Program - Mini Grants offers funding up to $5,000 for one- to two-year projects aimed at enhancing forest health, reducing wildfire risks, and supporting agricultural lands. This program encourages collaboration and innovative solutions to address community needs while promoting environmental sustainability. Eligible applicants include federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations. The foundation seeks to leverage resources through cash and in-kind matches, enhancing the impact of funded projects.

NOTE: Please find the additional associated grants related to this opportunity -
Here is the Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Planning & Education Grants page.Here is the Forest Health and Fire Resilience Project Grants page.Here is the Agricultural Program Grants page.Here is the Agricultural Enhancement Grants page.Here is the Sustainable Agriculture - Conservation Easement & Acquisition Grants page.Here is the Recreation Impacts Planning and Monitoring Grants page.Here is the Recreation Impacts Management Grants page.
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 dangerConserving and supporting agricultural lands and rural landscapesManaging 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).
Mini Grants are for one- to two-year projects requesting $5,000 or less that advance the goals of Chaffee Common Ground through the grant programs outlined above. The intent is to support small projects and allow more participation through a simplified application process.
Support working ranches or farms
Enhance economic viability and longevity of working agricultural lands
Improve or protect groundwater recharge
Manage the impact of recreation on the environment and forest health
Requesting $5,000 or less
Multi-year funding requests are considered for multi-year projects. All grants are subject to annual appropriations by the Chaffee Board of County Commissioners. Progress reports are required to access ongoing funding.

Eligibility

For Profit organization
OtherCapital equipment should be limited to project supplies that are used in the project or program.
Durable capital items with be considered if the applicant will retain, own and maintain the equipment.Permits and landowner permissions are in place and can be documented, with the exception of planning grants.The proposal budget, plan and timeline is complete at an acceptable level of detail and quality.The proposal demonstrates clear and measurable results.Agreement that funded proposals can be promoted by Chaffee Common Ground, including public news stories and signage.