Non-profit Infrastructure Grant Program
Attention! - Application Period Closed
The application period for the Nonprofit Infrastructure (NPI) Grant Program closed on August 31, 2023. Thank you to all the organizations that applied to us for funding. Applications are being reviewed and, once a decision has been made, we will be in touch.
If you have any questions about the NPI program or other grant opportunities, please contact us.
Colorado’s First Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program
The Yampa Valley Community Foundation is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to select and administer the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant in Northwest Colorado (Eagle, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties).
The Nonprofit Infrastructure (NPI) Grant has been created for small nonprofits, with annual budgets between $150,000 and $2,000,000, that can show they have been impacted or disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Applying organizations or groups must have a track record of providing effective, culturally appropriate, and relevant programs and services to their communities who have historically been underrepresented, underserved, or under-resourced in Colorado.
• LGBT • BIPOC • Women • Gender non-conforming • Disability/neurodiversity • Low-Income • Immigrant/Refugee • Rural
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.
Eligibility Requirements
The following organizations are eligible to apply for the NPI Grant:
- Nonprofit Organization – A small community-based charitable or social welfare organization impacted or disproportionately by the Covid-19 public health emergency.
- Fiscal Agent – A tax-exempt charitable organization or social welfare organization operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with a small community-based nonprofit organization (NPO) that may or may not have its own tax-exempt status.
- Fiscal Sponsor – A tax-exempt charitable or social welfare group operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with small community-based groups (SCBG) that are not registered NPOs.
Not sure which to apply as? Follow this chart (or este cuadro en español) to find out if your organization is eligible.
Applying organizations must also demonstrate that their services meet community-identified needs, including:
- Health Equity
- Workforce Development
- Community Economic Development
- Early Childhood Care
- Education Support
- Housing
- Food Justice
- Other community identified need
Program Timeline
July 5, 2023-August 31, 2023 • Application open
November 1, 2023 • Final award recommendation completed by RAPs and ready for review
December 15, 2023 – January 15, 2024 • Provide notice to award to NPO, execute contracts, issue first payment
December 30, 2024 • NPO awards deadline
December 30, 2026 • All funds must be spent
Using Grant Funds
The NPI Grant Program will provide funding for infrastructure improvements that are intended to positively impact an organization’s operational structure.
Grant funds may be used toward things like:
✔ Strategic planning and organizational development
✔ Professional development for staff and board
✔ Data technology, data collection and/or technology infrastructure
✔ Marketing and communications
✔ Existing program expansion, development or evaluation
Grant funds cannot be used toward programming or capital improvements, including:
✖ Real estate or land acquisition
✖ Building construction, renovation or improvement
✖ Payment of debt (no grant expenses may be incurred before January, 2024)
✖ Advocacy or lobbying
✖ Organizing
✖ Endowments or reserves
Applicant Resources
Training videos (para subtítulos en español, haga clic en [CC] en la parte inferior de la pantalla de video):
- Applicant training (28 minutes)
- Application portal walk-through (37 minutes)
- Obtaining a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number (2 minutes) – having a UEI will be required before approved applicants can receive funds. Obtaining your UEI to qualify for receiving this grant is free.
Sample applications (for review only: must apply through online portal) and scoring rubrics (criteria by which applications are evaluated):
- Standard (for a 501(c)(3) applying directly): application | rubric
en español: aplicación | rúbrica - Fiscal agent (a single organization applying through a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3)): application | rubric
en español: aplicación | rúbrica - Fiscal sponsor (more than one group–none of which can be a 501(c)(3)–applying through a fiscal agent that is a 501(c)(3)): application | rubric
en español: aplicación | rúbrica
Document uploads:
- Must be in PDF format. Access a free online PDF converting tool here: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/convert-pdf.html
- If providing multiple documents for one question, you must combine into a single PDF. Access a free online PDF merging tool here: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/merge-pdf.html
- Watch for errors or lost data! Please proof all your documents before uploading.
- File size too large? The system has a 10MB limit. If you encounter that limit, access a free online PDF compressing tool here: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/compress-pdf.html If that doesn’t get it below 10MB, please email greg@yvcf.org with:
a) [preferred] a link where we can download the file from the cloud, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or others (please make sure permissions allow us to download the file).
b) the file attached (some large files may not email easily).
How to Apply
The application timeline is July 5, 2023 through August 31, 2023. Interested nonprofit organizations with their main office located in Eagle, Garfield, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties will apply for the NPI Grant through The Yampa Valley Community Foundation.
We are here to support you with technical assistance throughout the application process. Please review the FAQs to learn more; or contact our NPI Grant program officer Greg Hamilton. Email strongly recommended for faster reply. Send detailed emails to: greg@yvcf.org or call Greg at (970) 439-4443.
APPLICATION CLOSED AUGUST 31, 2023
Learn More about our Partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is collaborating with The Yampa Valley Community Foundation and seven other organizations across the state to help select and administer the NPI Grant. Learn more about the NPI Grant Program and DOLA.
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