Community mini grants program to improve quality of life in neighborhoods and communities in the city of Denver.
Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) and its contracted program administrator partner, The Denver Foundation, are providing financial resources to small, local nonprofits, informal resident community-based groups, and micro-businesses for projects that improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods and/or communities.
The program prioritizes community-led efforts or work that allows for a strong component of community leadership. Mini grant awards range from $500 to $10,000 and the award funding focus areas are:
- Bolstering social development
- Supporting resident life
- Increasing a community group’s capacity
“We seek to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and performance of micro businesses, nonprofits and community groups in our NEST priority neighborhoods and we know this is a small, yet significant step in the direction of that positive change.” Said DEDO Neighborhood Equity & Stabilization Director, Seneca Holmes.
The mini grants are open to small, local 501 (c3) nonprofits, informal resident community-based groups, and micro-businesses with an annual revenue of less than$500,000. These entities must be located within the priority neighborhoods as identified by DEDO’s division of Neighborhood Equity & Stabilization. These priority neighborhoods include East Colfax, Elyria-Swansea, Globeville, Montbello, Northeast Park Hill, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, West Colfax, and Westwood.
“The Denver Foundation’s Strengthening Neighborhoods Program is pleased to renew our relationship with Denver Economic Development & Opportunity through the community mini grant program,” said Dace West, Vice President of Community Impact for The Denver Foundation. “Our experience is that Denver neighborhood leaders often have the best ideas and solutions for solving issues in our community. We are honored to co-manage the Community Support Mini Grants program in 2021.”
The grant amount and award are determined by a panel selection committee that is comprised of community members, previous awardee recipients, Denver Foundation staff, and City and County of Denver staff and will use a scoring-review process. The program team will provide virtual technical assistance (TA) sessions on July 20 at 2:30 p.m. (English) and at 3:30 p.m. (Español) on how to best complete grant applications.
Applications are now open and will close on August 6, 2021.
About Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
Denver Economic Development & Opportunity is leading an inclusive and innovative economy for all Denver residents, including local and global business development, workforce development programs, and stabilization efforts in Denver’s diverse neighborhoods. Learn more at denvergov.org/economicdevelopment.