Rural Grant Navigator Grant Program

The Rural Grant Navigator Grant Program, managed by the Colorado State Forest Service, provides vital funding to NGOs assisting rural Colorado communities in applying for federal and state grants for wildfire mitigation and preparedness. This program, initiated in 2024, supports outreach and technical assistance, including grant management training and writing help. Eligible communities include those with populations under 25,000 or outside urbanized areas. Nonprofits must be registered and in good standing to apply.

The Rural Grant Navigator Grant Program, administered by the Colorado State Forest Service, was created during the 2024 legislative session when the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 24-1006. This competitive grant program provides state funding assistance to non-governmental organizations (NGO) who provide assistance to rural communities in Colorado seeking to apply for federal or state grants related to wildfire mitigation and preparedness.
Qualifying projects will provide outreach and/or technical assistance to rural communities in Colorado seeking to apply for federal or state grants related to wildfire mitigation and preparedness. Project examples include assessing funding opportunities, training personnel in grant management practices, and grant writing assistance.
A rural community to be served is defined as any municipality, town, or unincorporated area in Colorado that meets at least one of the following criteria:
Population-BasedFewer than 25,000 residents (latest U.S. Census).       Located outside an urbanized area (U.S. Census Bureau).Geographic & Economic FactorsClassified as rural by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.Population density under 100 people/sq. mile.Limited access to infrastructure, public services, or economic resources.
Efforts involving non-federal or non-state funding sources and those that are not specific to wildfire mitigation or preparedness are unallowable. Examples of allowable costs include staff time, outreach, travel, and technical assistance.

Eligibility

Additional eligibility factors for interested applicants:The ability or a history of supporting rural communities in more than one Colorado county.Familiarity with wildfire mitigation and preparedness grants offered from federal or state sources.In addition, all applicants must be able to function as the fiscal agent, and nonprofits must be registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State’s Office.