Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund from The City and County of Denver Grant

The Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund, established by The Denver Foundation in collaboration with the City and County of Denver, aims to empower 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving designated neighborhoods. Grants between $2,000 and $20,000 will be awarded to enhance organizational capacity and foster community engagement. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and submit a consultant-prepared scope of work. This initiative reflects a century of philanthropic efforts to strengthen Metro Denver's nonprofit sector.

Note: This is different from Capacity Building Fund at The Denver Foundation.
We’ve received $2.1 billion from generous donors and given $1.6 billion in grants to support community initiatives.
The Denver Foundation is pleased to invite qualified nonprofits to apply for funding for the City and County of Denver Nonprofit Capacity Building Fund, funded by Denver Economic Development & Opportunity’s (DEDO) Division of Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST).
The grants aims to build capacity in Denver’s neighborhoods and enhance collaboration and power building.
Grants will range from $2,000-$20,000 and the program plans to award 5-15 grants in 2025.

Eligibility

Your organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
Your organization must be located in or provide services or organize, in priority neighborhoods as identified by DEDO’s division of Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST): Athmar Park, Barnum, Barnum West, Clayton, College View, East Colfax, Elyria Swansea, Globeville, Kennedy, Lincoln Park, Mar Lee, Montbello, Ruby Hill, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, Westwood and Windsor. Please look up your neighborhood if you’re unsure about your project’s eligibility: Denver Maps – Neighborhoods (denvergov.org)
Organizations must upload a scope of work prepared with their consultant as part of the application.
Grant awards given in previous years are no guarantee of future grant awards.

Ineligibility

Not eligible for funding:
Organizations with fund balance deficits as indicated on the balance sheet for their most recently completed fiscal year (e.g., an organization cannot have a negative balance in any of the net asset line items on their balance sheet)Funding to an organization or program that discriminates on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, except to serve historically disadvantaged groupsActivities, projects, or programs that will have been completed before funding becomes available (no retroactive funding)Endowments or other reserve fundsMembership or affiliation campaigns, dinners, or special eventsFood cost and related travelGrants that further political doctrine or religious activitiesGrants to individualsScholarships or sponsorships, including special events or fundraisersGrants to parochial or religious schools