Initiatives
NPI Grant Program
The Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program will invest $33.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 by providing grants to small community-based nonprofit organizations to build capacity and help mitigate the financial hardships of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
In partnership with the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund has been selected as one of eight Regional Access Partners (RAPs) statewide to provide technical assistance to interested organizations, assemble review committees, and administer the funds.
Colorado’s Nonprofit Infrastructure
Grant Program
Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund is collaborating with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to select and administer the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant in the following counties:
Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Otero, Phillips, Prowers, Sedgwick, Washington, and Yuma.
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.
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.
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
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
- Advocacy or lobbying
- Organizing
- Endowments or reserves
How to Apply
The application timeline is July 5, 2023 through August 31, 2023. Interested nonprofit organizations will apply for the NPI Grant through Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund. For planning purposes, below are examples of the application.
Please note: Applications must be submitted online through Caring for Colorado’s online grants portal – the application will be open from July 5, 2023, through August 31, 2023.
We are here to support you with technical assistance throughout the application process. Please review the FAQs to learn more; or contact Emma Carpenter at ecarpenter@caringforcolorado.org.
Caring for Colorado is holding optional office hours in English and Spanish through the duration of this funding opportunity (May 24-August 31). Applicants are encouraged to schedule a meeting in their preferred language.
- English – Connect with Emma Carpenter
- Español – Contactar a Caryn Apodaca
Important Dates:
Registration Open: Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Applicants must submit an online registration form to access the application. Please review the eligibility requirements before submitting a registration. Completing the registration will provide you access to the application when it opens on July 5, 2023. Registrations will be processed within three business days of submission.
- Nonprofit Organization Registration Form (applicants not using a Fiscal Agent or Fiscal Sponsor).
- Fiscal Agent Registration Form (fiscal agent representing one nonprofit).
- Fiscal Sponsor Registration Form (fiscal sponsor representing multiple community groups).
Application Open: Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Application Due: Thursday, August 31, 2023
Applications must be received via the Caring for Colorado online grants portal before midnight on 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 Caring for Colorado’s Centennial Fund and seven other organizations across the state to help select and administer the NPI Grant. Learn more about the NPI Grant Program and DOLA.