Community Grants: State Respite Grant

The Colorado Respite Coalition is offering a State Respite Grant aimed at enhancing access to respite care for family caregivers across Colorado. This funding supports both non-profit and for-profit organizations that provide essential respite services, ensuring that caregivers receive necessary breaks. Grants range from $10,000 to $30,000, with applications requiring a letter of intent for the 2025-2026 cycle. This initiative reinforces the Coalition's commitment to family welfare and caregiver support.

Purpose of Request
To respond to the growing respite care needs of Colorado’s family caregivers, the Colorado Respite Coalition, a program of Easterseals Colorado, is seeking applications from qualified non-profit and for-profit agencies which already provide respite care. Respite care provides family caregivers with a break from caregiving. Respite care can be provided in a home, at a center, or in the community. The key is that the caregiver must have the opportunity to leave and know their loved one is being cared for. This grant program supports services across the lifespan and health and disability spectrums and serves the entire state of Colorado. Grants are not available to individuals providing respite care independently.
This grant program is funded through Colorado State General Funds and is managed by Easterseals Colorado and the Colorado Department of Human Services, State Unit of Aging. The intent of these funds is to increase access to respite care options for family caregivers and to help agencies build the capacity to provide additional services. All funds are specified to be used to support families as a Payer of Last Resort (i.e., families who do not actively receive respite allocations through Medicaid waivers or other funds).
Special Note: Easterseals Colorado also offers a separate Family Respite Voucher Program, where families can apply directly for financial assistance for respite services.
Award Amount and Term
The organization/agency will be awarded funds to support families in need of respite care. The organization/agency is not required to provide a match or in-kind donations, but it is encouraged when available to stretch the funds further. The organization/agency which receives funds must currently provide respite services.
New changes to the grant for 2025-26 grant year:

• The award range will be between $10,000 and $30,000 per grant year.

Monthly billing is required as of July 1, 2025. We will also accept quarterly billing in certain circumstances.
Colorado Respite Coalition is updating the application requirements for the State Respite Grant.
New requirement for grant application for the year 2025-2026 is the submission of a letter of intent (LOI).

Eligibility

Any for profit, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization (including faith-based) or government entity is eligible to apply.To qualify, the organization at minimum:Must be based in and providing services in the state of Colorado, to Colorado familiesMust be currently providing respite services, including but not limited to adult day service, out-of-home, or in-home respite services to families of children or adults with special needs, foster families and/or kinship caregivers. Employers comply with C.R.S. § 27-90-111 which requires fingerprint-based background checks to be completed on all providers (staff and volunteers) supporting this grant through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or equivalent. All background checks must be completed and reviewed by the grantee before services can be provided. Employers comply with C.R.S. § 26-3.1-111, which requires certain employers to obtain a CAPS check to determine if a person who will provide direct care to an at-risk adult is substantiated in a case of mistreatment of an at-risk adult. These employers must register with the CCU before they can request a CAPS check.Must carry a Protected Information Insurance Policy or add policy during the grant period. Easterseals Colorado must review and verify prior to service provision.Must be registered here as a respite provider at the time of application. If an organization is not on the Online Resource Finder, register here prior to submitting the application. Must understand that funds are specified to provide respite services at low or no cost to families. If the agency plans to charge any amount to families, that amount must first be approved by Easterseals Colorado staff.Must utilize grant funds to support access to respite services. Indirect costs must not exceed 13% of the total amount requested.

Ineligibility

Funds cannot under any circumstance be used for food or beverage.These funds cannot be used for startup programs or for brick-and-mortar.New programs are not eligible for funding.