How BRIC Grants Work
The Black Resilience in Colorado (BRIC) Fund Grants Program directs resources to address systemic racism and its impact on Black communities across the seven-county Metro Denver region. BRIC grants support Black nonprofit organizations led by and serving Black communities to withstand current crises and build long-term sustainability.
Download the BRIC Fund Grants Program one-pager. There is new information for the 2022 grant cycles.
The BRIC Fund prefers to fund general operating grants. Grant awards will typically range from $5,000 to $25,000. Another option for nonprofit organizations is the BRIC Loan Program. Learn more about the BRIC Loan Program at the bottom of this page.
Nonprofits interested in funding may submit an application once a year. Grants are made under the leadership of a community-led advisory committee dedicated to improving Denver’s Black communities. Each applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be a viable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a fiscal sponsor.
- Be Black-led and Black-serving. The Denver Foundation defines “Black” as encompassing people of African and Afro-Caribbean descent, including African immigrants and refugees.
- Serve the seven-county Metro Denver area.
- Fit one or more of the six identified priorities identified by the community-led advisory committee.
-
- Emerging Community Issues/Needs
-
-
Health – racial trauma, infant/mother mortality, underinsured, uninsured, Medicaid eligible, COVID-related loss of benefits.
-
Housing – renters and/or people involuntarily displaced or experiencing homelessness to provide access to housing/homeownership for low-income community members.
-
Economic Opportunity – business or workforce development or access to living-wage jobs.
-
Racial Justice – community organizing, advocacy, law, and policy reform.
-
Youth – youth organizing, youth-led programs, culturally responsive programs.
-
Allowable use of funds:
Funds are available to cover operational costs associated with maintaining the business, retaining employees, covering and for rent, and utilities. Funds may also address new and emerging needs in service/program offerings outside normal operations due to emergency responses, including social distancing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs.
BRIC does not fund:
- Capital campaigns
- Building endowments or reserve funds
- Operating funds for foundation, funds, or giving circles
- Membership campaigns
- Special events or sponsorships
- Grants to individuals
- Grants for re-granting purposes
- Multi-year funding requests
- Conferences, symposia, and related travel
- Grants for medical, scientific, or academic research
- Grants that further political doctrine or religious activities
- Grants to parochial or religious schools
- Scholarships (for information about scholarships administered by the Foundation, please visit our Scholarship Opportunities page)
How To Apply
Applications to the BRIC Grants Program must be submitted online. Before applying, you will need to register through TDF Grant Manager, The Denver Foundation’s new online grant application portal. For instructions on how to register, visit this page. You do not have to be ready to submit your application to register. Go to TDF Grant Manager.
The Spring 2022 BRIC Grant Cycle opens February 15 and closes April 1 at 5 p.m MST.
The Fall 2022 BRIC Grant Cycle opens September 6 and closes October 18 at 5 p.m. MST.
For more information about the BRIC Fund, contact LaDawn Sullivan, Director of the BRIC Fund, lsullivan@bricfund.org.