We’re Here to Support Chaffee County

Grant opportunities are advertised via our website, Facebook page, newsletter, and via press release. If you would like to be added to our newsletter list, please send an email to admin@chaffeecommunity.org.

The grant portal for applications can be found below.

2025 Grant Schedule

Competitive grants:

  • Spring Municipal Grants: Grant opportunities for organizations serving the Town of Buena Vista and City of Salida. Applications open January 13 - February 14

  • First Responder Grants: Funding for first responders serving Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake, and/or Saguache Counties. Applications open January 13 with grants awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

  • Dan Daly Opportunity Fund: Funding for Colorado High School wrestling programs. Applications open March 1 - April 30. Additional information will be posted in early 2025.

  • Impact Grants: CCCF invests in housing and environmental solutions in Chaffee County through the Impact Grants. Applications open April 28 - May 30.

  • LGBTQ+ Grants: Funding for supporting organizations in projects that offer supportive spaces and inclusive services for the LGBTQ+ Community. Letters of Intent (LOIs) open June 2. Full details on LGBTQ+ fund available here.

  • Fall Community Grants: Grant funds administered in partnership with local donors and the Sangre de Cristo Electric Association for organizations serving Chaffee, Custer, Fremont & Lake Counties. Applications open July 28 - August 29.

ongoing grants:

  • Childcare Workforce Investment Grants: Funding to support early childhood centers to invest in and retain qualified staff.

  • Community Pet Fund: Two funding options to assist in emergency care for companion animals. More information available at https://www.chaffeecommunity.org/cpf.

  • Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) Matching Grants: Matching grant funds for SDCEA members and employees.

Scroll down for additional information. All grants are contingent upon available funding.

Current Grant Opportunities:

2025 spring municipal grants

CCCF is excited to announce $146,592 in available funds for our spring municipal grant cycle for organizations serving the Town of Buena Vista and the City of Salida.

  • Applications open Monday, January 13 (you can create/update your user & organization profiles ahead of time). 

  • Applications close Friday, February 14 at 11:59 pm. 

  • Reviews, site visits, and decisions will be conducted late February - early April.

  • Grant Award notifications will be issued by late April.

  • Approved grants will be issued payment within 5 business days of a completed grant agreement. 

PROCESS

CCCF has convened a Grant Review Committee comprised of 2 residents from each of the municipalities, a BV Trustee, a City Council member as well as two members of the CCCF Board of Directors and/or Community Empowerment Committee. 

All applications will follow this process:

  • Initial staff screening to ensure completeness, CO Secretary of State Good Standing, review of financials, and eligibility check. 

  • Individual committee members review and rank based in the Community Grants Rubric (link below).  

  • The committee may assign applicants to a “site visit” if follow up questions or clarifications are needed to fully evaluate the grant request. Site visits may take the form of a phone call, email, or in-person meeting depending on the nature of the questions.

  • Review committee will convene a final work session to aggregate site visit information, rank, and other considerations to make final funding recommendations and rationale. 

  • All approved grants, upon the completion of a grant agreement, will receive funds via direct deposit.

available funding information

The Spring Municipal Grant process has a total of $146,592 available for competitive grant funding which includes $55,776 for organizations serving the Buena Vista Community and $90,816 for those serving the Salida Community. 

While there is no maximum award, the average grant award in 2024 was $4,314. The lowest amount awarded was $1,200 and the highest amount awarded was $17,500. Organizations are encouraged to set their request at the amount needed to support their organization while keeping in mind the total amount of funds available. Due to the competitive nature of this grant and the limited funds, not all proposals will be funded and requests may be prorated.

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

Applications that demonstrate the following factors will be most competitive: 

  • Clearly defined activities that are meeting an identified community need

  • Measurable outcomes, outputs, and impacts for proposed programs and projects

  • Supporting data to help define the organization's impact and need

  • Applications are encouraged to review the Application Questions and the Community Grants Rubric prior to starting the application. If there are any questions, please reach out to Anna Hendricks at anna@chaffeecommunity.org. 

Type of Organization: All applications must be 501c3, 501c4, or 501c6 (or under the fiscal sponsorship of an eligible organization) in good standing with the IRS and State of Colorado to be eligible for funding.

  • Operating Support: All 501c3 non-profit organization serving Buena Vista & Salida (50%+ populations served located within one or both municipalities) will be applying for operating support. Applicants are welcome to highlight specific programs in their request, however if awarded the funds will be unrestricted. 

  • Project Support: Faith-based organizations, regional organizations (those with 50%+ populations served located outside of Buena Vista or Salida), nonprofit organizations holding a 501c4 or 501c6 designation, and government agencies are invited to apply for project support. If awarded, the funds will be restricted to the charitable project described in the application.

Reporting Requirements: Any organization that received funding from the Spring Municipal Grant Process in 2024 are required to have submitted a grant report before being considered for 2025 funding. Reports must be received by December 31, 2024 to be eligible.

CONTACT

If you have any questions at all, please contact us at anna@chaffeecommunity.org and allow two business days for a response. Thank you!

2025 First responder grants

In partnership with Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA), CCCF is proud to announce funding for initiatives, equipment, training, or programs that enhance the ability of first responders to protect and serve.

Timeline/Process

Contributions designated to the SDCEA First Responders Support Program are intended to provide grants as follows: 

  • $1,000 Grants available on a rolling basis for entities meeting the eligibility criteria. Grant portal applications will open January 13, 2025.

  • First come, first served until funds are exhausted (total amount available: $5,000 in 2025)

  • Applicants apply through the CCCF grant portal for consideration and are screened by CCCF staff for eligibility.

  • Upon final approval, payment will be processed within 14 days of receiving a signed grant agreement.

  • Appeals or rare circumstances will be forwarded to the grants committee to vote on.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Registered 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), faith-based, and government organizations providing first responder services in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Lake and/or Saguache counties are eligible to apply for up to $1,000 per calendar year to support their first responder programs.

  • In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations that govern the use of funds from private foundations to the Grantee organization.

  • All applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Applicant must actively provide first responder services in the approved geographic areas. First responder services may include fire, medical, police, search & rescue, or other service for whom the provider is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance.

    • Requests must be for materials, training, gear, or other expenses directly related to providing first responder services in the target geographic areas. 

    • Funds must be used within one year of receipt.

    • Requests should outline specific use of the funds. Awards will be restricted grants for the purposes outlined in the application.

Grant Exclusions: Grants are  subject to the following exclusions:

  • Political organizations or social clubs

  • Any organization deemed to be working against the interests of the donor

  • Any organization deemed to have a conflict of interest with the donor

  • Any organization that prohibits people from serving on staff, volunteering, or receiving services based on their religion

Reporting Requirements: Grant report due 1 year after funds are awarded. Grant report will outline how grants funds were utilized.

View the Grant Application and Required Attachments

If you have any questions at all, please contact Anna at anna@chaffeecommunity.org and allow two business days for a response. Thank you!

Ongoing Grant Opportunities:

Childcare Workforce Investment Grants: Licensed early childcare centers serving Chaffee County residents can apply for grants of between $2,000 to $10,000 per center per rolling calendar year to advance the professional development and retention of qualified staff members.

Sangre De Cristo Matching Grants: If you are a member or employee of SDCEA, when you support charitable, civic and educational organizations through financial contributions, SDCEA will match your donation, based on the criteria outlined below, to qualifying organizations.

Matching Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis from a limited pool of funds established annually by the SDCEA Board of Directors and administered through the Chaffee County Community Foundation. The SDCEA Board of Directors reserves the right to suspend, amend or terminate the grants program at any time without notice. Sangre de Cristo Electric Association, Inc. and the Chaffee County Community Foundation do not support organizations that engage in discriminatory practices.

  • Funding: $16,000 available for 2025

  • Applications: Accepted on a rolling basis

  • Visit the SDCEA’s Website for details and to initiate your matching grant.

Community Pet Fund: CCCF offers two opportunities to preserve the human-animal bond for pet emergencies and unsheltered community members seeking care for their pets. Offered in partnership with the Ark-Valley Humane Society to provide funding for life-saving veterinary care to Chaffee County pets.

  • Funding: Community Pet Fund applicants are eligible for up to $500 per pet or 1/2 the veterinary bill. Low Income Community Pet Fund applicants are eligible for up to $500 per pet.

  • Applications: Accepted on a rolling basis

  • visit chaffeecommunity.org/cpf for details and to apply to the two funds.

Past Grant Cycles & Recipients:

CCCF is honored to have partnered with funders, businesses and individual to have invested 3.5 million dollars in the Upper Arkansas River community since 2018. Visit the Grantmaking History Page for a complete list of our past grant processes and awardees.

Grant Payment Procedures:

  • Organizations are encouraged to enroll in automatic payments through a secure ACH process for timely receipt of grant funding. Please download the Blank ACH Form and return to CCCF along with a voided check to enroll.

  • For further information regarding CCCF grants, please contact us at admin@chaffeecommunity.org or 719-204-5107.