State seeking applicants for nonprofit infrastructure grant program

Jonson Kuhn, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·3 min read

Jul. 19—The Colorado Department of Local Affairs announced the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program, which is a statewide grant program focused on small, community-based, nonprofit organizations providing services to communities that have historically been underrepresented, underserved, or under-resourced in Colorado.

United Way of Larimer County is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to select and administer the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant in Larimer, Jackson, Boulder, Gilpin and Broomfield counties.

The Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant has been created for small nonprofits with annual budgets between $150,000 and $2 million, that can show they have been impacted or disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

"The NPI grant is an incredible opportunity for infrastructure and capacity building that will support the state's small nonprofit community," Kodi Johnson, program manager at the Department of Local Affairs, stated in a release. "DOLA is urging qualifying organizations across the state to apply and continue to deepen the impact that nonprofits and their donors have on supporting historically underrepresented, underserved or under-resourced Coloradans."

The governing bodies and staff of these organizations must consist of a majority of residents who live in the communities they serve, have a history of providing services in specific communities in the state, and have their main offices in one of the communities that they serve.

Applying organizations must also demonstrate that their services meet community-identified needs, such as health equity, workforce development, community economic development, early childhood care, education support, housing, food justice or other community identified needs.

The NPI Grant Program will provide funding for infrastructure improvements that are intended to positively impact an organization's operational structure.

The application period will continue through Aug. 31. Nonprofit organizations must apply for the NPI Grant through United Way of Larimer County's Survey Monkey Apply Grant Platform.

Interested applicants should contact their geographically-appointed Regional Access Partner directly for technical assistance and to learn more about the process, criteria and funding. Regional Access Partners are collaborating with DOLA to help select and administer grants within their particular regions, emphasizing a hyper-local focus on teamwork and support.

Organizations must provide a Unique Entity ID number from the federal government and meet the eligibility requirements. Applications are submitted directly through one of the eight Regional Access Partners, determined by the location of the organization's headquarters. Funding is allocated for infrastructure needs only. Grant awardees will be notified by their RAP by Jan. 31, 2024.

"Together DOLA and the RAP network are focused on ensuring that eligible nonprofit organizations in the state are aware of this opportunity," added Johnson. "It is the program's goal to put forth the resources to help nonprofits apply and build capacity and infrastructure post COVID-19."

To find a geographically-appointed Regional Access Partner, visit dlg.colorado.gov/nonprofit-infrastructure-grant-program. For more information about how to apply, contact United Way of Larimer County's NPI Grant Program Manager, Maria Byers-Alexander at mbyers-alexander@uwaylc.org or 970-407-7019.