Program Overview
Purpose: Colorado House Bill 22-1356 was signed into law on June 3, 2022 creating the small community-based nonprofit infrastructure grant program. This initiative invests dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 by providing grants to small community-based nonprofit organizations for infrastructure funding to help mitigate the financial hardships of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The initiative will fund up to 10 regional access partners - who will work with the Department of Local Affairs to administer grants of no more than $100,000 to small community-based nonprofit programs across the state of Colorado.
Fund Distribution: Up to 10 Regional Access Partners (RAP) will be selected by DOLA through a NOFA & Application process to administer funds to small community based nonprofit organizations across the state of Colorado
- RAPs will engage with DOLA to help create the policies and procedures to
- Outline application, award and disbursement timelines
- Streamline information received from application
- Outline the rubric used to evaluate all applications
Available Funding: $33,100,000
- Awarded to no more than 10 regional access partners to award and distribute to small community-based nonprofits by 12/30/2024.
- All funds must be expended by 12/30/2026
- $100K - Maximum Grant Award to small community-based nonprofits & not more than 30% of their annual operating budget
Regional Access Partner Requirements:
- Headquartered in Colorado with grant management experience
- Ability to distribute grants statewide or in regions of the state
- Strong track record in TA to small community based NPO
- Has at least 51% of programming focused on serving, engaging and supporting marginalized & under-resourced communities
- Has a Board of Directors or staff with at least 30% who are individuals from historically marginalized and under-resourced communities.
- No more than 5% of award can be used for administrative dollars
Eligibility for Nonprofit Grants: A small community-based charitable or social welfare organization that has been impacted or disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency and that:
- Has organizational leadership whose lived experiences in the communities they serve lead to the creation, mission and work of the NPO, and
- Has an annual budget of at least $150K and not more than $2M, and
- Is one of the following
- Small Community Based Nonprofit Organizations, OR
- Small Community Based Nonprofit Organizations NOT a 501c3 - but works with a fiscal agent, OR
- A collaborative of multiple small community based groups (NOT NPO) that work with a fiscal sponsor
Eligible Use of Grant Funds | Ineligible Use of Grant Funds |
Data Technology needs - data collection & tech infrastructure | Capital Improvements (IT Infrastructure is not considered a capital improvement) |
Professional development - staff & board | Real estate or land acquisition |
Strategic planning & org development for capacity building, fundraising & other services | Payment of Debt |
Communications | Advocacy or Lobbying |
Existing program expansion, development or evaluation | Organizing |
Endowments or reserves |
Tentative Timeline 2022
**Subject to Change**
June |
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July |
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August |
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September |
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October |
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November |
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December 2022/January 2023 |
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Program Contacts
Audrey Field
Financial Assistance Manager
(303) 864-7897
audrey.field@state.co.us