Funding Sources
Single Foundations
Anschutz Family Foundation
The Anschutz Family Foundation is independent, CO-based, and has awarded grants
totaling more than $16 million in a variety of areas to support non-profits in
CO. The foundation encourages endeavors that strengthens families and
communities and advances individuals to become productive and responsible
citizens, and especially self-sufficiency, community development, and programs
aimed at the economically disadvantaged, the young, the elderly and the
disabled. Grants typically fund general operating expenses and program
development for a single year and range from $5,000 to $10,000. Deadlines Jan 15
and Aug 1
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
Up to $650,000 in grants will be administered each year with individual grantees
receiving up to $65,000 each. This foundation funds family literacy initiatives
and literacy programs that must include: Reading instruction for parents or
primary care-givers; literacy or pre-literacy instruction for children; and
Intergenerational activities where the parents/primary caregivers and children
come together to learn and to read.
Colorado Endowment for the
Humanities(CEH)
Award grants to nonprofits (including libraries &
museums) to support one or more public humanities programs. Primary areas of funding are adult continuing education, arts, culture &
humanities, historic preservation and libraries.
Challenge Grants
The purpose of the Challenge grants is to leverage the work of Baby Boomer volunteers to assist non-profits in community service.
This is a matching grant program in which applicants must provide $2 in private funds for every $1 of federal funds awarded. Applicants
must propose strategies for engaging Baby Boomers in full-time, part-time, or episodic work that meets a particular community need.
Cooper Clark Foundation
Provides grant funds to Baca County, Cheyenne County, Kiowa County, Kit Carson
county, Lincoln County,and Multi-state awards. Grant types include Capital Improvement/Purchase, Equipment Purchase,
Start-Up/Seed Money. (303)-624-7699 PO Box 2707 Liberal, KS 67905-2707
El Pomar Foundation
This foundation provides general purpose
funds for arts and humanities, education, human services and civic & community initiatives. Past library
grant recipients include the Security Public Library, Wilkinson Library, Cortez Public Library,
Pikes Peak Library District, and the Grover Regional Library Association.
E-rate
Provides discounts on telecommunications and Internet
access for schools and libraries. See also the local E-rate page
for Colorado libraries.
Ernest & Lillian E. Campbell Foundation
Assists citizens in Sedgwick County through contributions to
the community's civic, charitable and governmental organizations. (970)-474-3488 Ms.
Anna Scott, Executive Director PO Box 51, Julesburg, CO 80737
Ezra Jack Keats Mini-grants
This foundation awards Ezra Jack Keats mini-grants of $350. These mini-grants
are to be used for projects that instill a love of literature in children and
that foster literacy and creativity. The foundation considers funding innovative
workshops, lectures, and festivals, as well as activities aimed at parents of
preschool children. Deadline: September 15th, each year
The Foundation Center
The Foundation Center is looking for institutions such as libraries and
community centers to be"free funding information centers" by housing their Cooperation Collections
in libraries of all types that serve under-resourced and under-served populations.
The Cooperative Collection is a core collection of Foundation Center publications,
a variety of supplemental materials and services in areas useful to grant-seekers
plus access to FC Search: The Foundation Database on CD-ROM.
Deadlines: April 1 or Oct. 1, each year.
Gates Family
Foundation
The primary focus of this grant is to enhance the quality of life of those who
live and work in Colorado through activities that promote the broad education of
all people, self sufficiency, connection to nature and cultural appreciation.
Hewit Family Foundation
Provides general support for a variety of organizations primarily in the Denver
Metro area.(303)-292-0697,621 17th Street Ste#2555 Denver, CO 80293
The Lawrence Foundation
The Lawrence Foundation focuses support on the areas of education, the environment and health.
The grant application provides the opportunity for you to introduce your organization,
tell us what problems you face, and how we can help.
Deadlines: August 1 or Feb 1--for a letter of inquiry,
then if selected the foundation will invite a full proposal.
The Libri Foundation
The Libri Foundation was established to help small rural public libraries acquire new, quality,
hard-cover children's books through their Books for Children Program.
"Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should
serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000
(usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget,
and an active children's department. Please note: Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles
from a city with a population over 40,000" School libraries may apply only if they also serve as the
community's public library. Questions? Email:
libri@librifoundation.org
Deadlines: March 15, July 15 or Dec 15
Deadline varies by sponsoring program
Websites That List Multiple Foundations
Colorado AfterSchool Network
The Colorado AfterSchool Network provides resources for after-school funding opportunities as well as updates of community grants available to Colorado organizations.
Grant Station
A membership service that provides access to funding sources for grant seekers based on their particular projects
or programs and also mentors them through the grant seeking process. A quarterly membership is $159; an annual membership is $599.
Library Grants Blog
Authors Stephanie Gerding and Pam MacKellar provide regular updates on grant and funding opportunities for libraries.
Federal Education Grants
a variety of state and federal competitive grants administered by CDE or another
source. The focus of the grants is on education, but the topics range from
family literacy, education for homeless youth to developing 21st century
learning centers.
WebJunction
This web site developed by the Gates Foundation and other non-profit
organizations includes a section on product donation programs offered by major
computer vendors.
For additional information, email: Christine Kreger kreger_c@cde.state.co.us