Direct Effect Awards Grant

Direct Effect Awards Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Colorado Housing And Finance Authority
Amount: US $5,000 - US $50,000
Last Updated: April 02, 2026

Summary

The Direct Effect Awards, presented by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), aim to support nonprofit organizations in Colorado that enhance affordable housing and community development. Eligible entities must align with CHFA's mission by promoting affordable home ownership, rental housing, and economic development. Priority is given to organizations that serve rural communities, special needs populations, and those innovating in construction and service delivery, ensuring housing stability and economic prosperity for all Coloradans.

Overview

NOTE: Round One: Application will open April 1st and close April 30th. Awardees will be notified in late July 2026. Round One will be open to organizations applying for funds to advance affordable homeownership and affordable rental housing.Round Two: Application will open June 22nd and close July 17th. Awardees will be notified in early October 2026. Round Two will be open to organizations applying for funds to advance economic development, food access, and education. CHFA’s Direct Effect Awards typically fund nonprofits working in the following strategic funding priority areas: Affordable Home Ownership - Strengthening low- and moderate-income Coloradans’ ability to achieve or sustain affordable rental housing through: Financial literacyForeclosure preventionHome rehabilitation, repairs, and renovations to ensure livability, adaptability, and mobilityHousing counseling, including homebuyer pre/post educationReducing barriers to homeownership for diverse, rural, and/or economically disadvantaged populationsUtility assistance or energy‑efficiency improvements to reduce household expenses Affordable Rental Housing - Strengthening low- and moderate-income Coloradans’ ability to achieve or sustain affordable rental housing through: Providing support and wrap-around services for residents such as Collaborative partnerships providing increased food access, health, mobility, and energy cost assistance for tenantsEviction preventionFair housing supportHousing and services navigationRental assistanceTenant legal aidSupport for people experiencing homelessness Economic Development - Strengthening low- and moderate-income Coloradans’ ability to achieve economic prosperity through: Child care for low- and moderate-income householdsEntrepreneurship, leadership, or business-readiness educationJob training and skill developmentSupport for career readiness in construction and trades Education Increasing access to or achievement in early childhood education, K-12, higher education, financial education, mentoring, or narrowing the education gap particularly among diverse, rural, and/or economically disadvantaged populations.*Due to limited funding, CHFA’s Corporate Giving Programs are unable to fund individual schools, school districts, or school district foundations unless the request is for a clear and direct link to affordable housing. Through its Direct Effect program, CHFA is unable to support scholarship programs outside of its direct support of Colorado higher education institutions through the Building the Future scholarship program. CHFA will consider event sponsorship requests for scholarship programs but has a limited budget so it will prioritize funding for organizations serving historically disadvantaged communities. Food Access Increasing access to nutritious and affordable food for low- and moderate-income Coloradans and those from economically disadvantaged populations

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations include public housing authorities, cities, counties, and local municipalities. The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority’s contribution is restricted to supporting the general operations and programs of the organization and may not be used to support any activity proscribed by Section 1-45-117 of the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act or advocacy in support or opposition to any state, federal, or local legislation.Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for funding if they have clear policies and practices that state that anyone is eligible for services, regardless of their faith. CHFA does not discriminate in eligibility solely on an applicant’s religious character. However, based on the historic and substantial state interest against using public funds or moneys to aid a church or establish or support any religion or sectarian purpose, CHFA does not fund religious activities, programs, or organizations that require an individual to participate in religious activity or receive religious information or materials as a condition of receiving services from those organizations. CHFA’s financial support must be directed to serve Coloradans only.Organizations may only be awarded one Direct Effect grant in a 12-month period

Ineligibility

CHFA’s funds may not be used to further a religious doctrine or sectarian purpose.Funds may not be used for predevelopment costs, gap funding, or construction costs for single family or multifamily housing projects. Funds may not be used to fund mobile home park infrastructure. Funds may not be used for repairs or rehabilitation of multifamily properties. Individual home repair and/or rehab to ensure livability, energy efficiency, adaptability, and mobility for homeowners is an eligible use of funds.Funds may not be used to prepare a site or application for a future state Affordable Housing Tax Credit or federal Housing Tax Credit (HTC) application.CHFA is unable to fund individual schools, school districts, or school district foundations unless the request is for a clear and direct link to affordable housing. Through its Direct Effect program,CHFA is unable to support scholarship programs outside of its direct support of Colorado higher education institutions through the Building the Future scholarship program. CHFA will consider event sponsorship requests for scholarship programs but has a limited budget so will prioritize funding for organizations serving historically disadvantaged communities.CHFA does not typically fund pass through organizations except for in response to emergency situations.