Community Impact Grants: Capacity-Building Grants

The Golden Civic Foundation's Community Impact Grants are designed to enhance the quality of life for residents in Golden, Colorado. These grants, particularly the Capacity-Building Grants, aim to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of local organizations. By focusing on civic development, arts and culture, social services, education, and environmental efforts, the foundation supports initiatives that empower communities, foster collaboration, and address emerging needs in the region.

Since 1970, we have provided Civic Development, Community Grants and Small Business Loans with the help of our partnerships, donations, and volunteers.
Funding Priorities
Although all innovative ideas that meet emerging needs or opportunities of the Golden community will be considered, the following are the Golden Civic Foundation’s funding priority areas:
Civic DevelopmentBrick and mortar projects that provide improved amenities for our community such as improvements to a property (like a school track complex) or land, or property acquisition and re-purposing for the community’s benefit (like our old high school’s new use as the American Mountaineering Center).Arts & CultureVibrant art and cultural amenities and experiences to promote cultural enrichment and help drive the local economy (examples include: public art, theater, music, dance, etc.).Social ServicesInfrastructure to give residents of all ages equitable access to opportunities for healthy living (such as social service facilities, amenities and services).EducationProjects that benefit Golden students with high quality learning and development, meaningful opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, career training, and pathways to gainful employment and fulfilling lives.Outdoor Stewardship & RecreationProjects that sustain a healthy local outdoor environment and provide opportunities for outdoor entertainment and recreation (things like gardens, parks, and land preservation).Community ImprovementTo provide "For the Good of Golden" at large and empower individuals or groups of people with the skills they need to effect change (strategic and organizational planning).
Capacity-Building GrantsProgram Grants
Capacity-Building GrantsCapacity-Building Grants exist to foster efforts to increase organizational effectiveness and sustainability. Proposals should include developing and strengthening an organization's skills, resources, and processes to help it achieve its mission.To do great work, non-profits and municipalities need strong leaders, clear plans, efficient systems, and a sustainable revenue stream. This program intends to supplement other available funding in pursuit of capacity-building goals. We welcome the use of these funds as challenge grants to secure the additional funds.
Example Capacity-Building Grant efforts include:
Board training that enhances organizational capacity in the areas of recruitment, orientation, or retentionBoard governance  Leadership developmentOrganization/Board Planning (annual/strategic)Collaboration/PartnershipsFinancial management oversight (budgets and financial reporting)Development of best practices in non-profit managementDevelopment of succession plans (leadership and non-leadership levels)Technology (use/implementation, needs assessment, planning)Communications/Marketing planningService (design, evaluation, record keeping)Project management trainingStaff development and training (team building, performance management, staffing structure)Creation of peer-to-peer learning opportunities

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:Organizations classified as a 501 (c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service.Organizations classified as a 501 (c)(4) or 501 (c)(6) by the Internal Revenue Service, but only for activities that produce a community benefit and are charitable in nature. Local government agencies or public schools.Applicant organizations must operate within Golden and funds must be used for the benefit of Golden citizens.  This includes areas with a Golden address inunincorporated Jefferson County, with the majority of funding directed within City limits.

Ineligibility

The GCF will not consider grants to organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation, or presence of a disability.We do not fund:General operating expensesFundraising activities or eventsLost revenueIndividualsEndowmentsDebt retirement or debt financingLobbyingFellowshipsTechnical or specialized researchNonprofit start-upLegal feesDeferred building maintenanceDeferred technology upgradesCapital campaignsDebtsPast due tax return and audit preparationWork that has already been completedBudget deficits or funding shortfalls; this grant is designed to help nonprofits with unbudgeted and unexpected expenses, not to fill in for unmet revenue projections