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Funding & Technical Assistance
Rural Economic Development Initiative Grant (REDI)
Applications open January 7 and close Feb. 4, 2026 | Details here. Are you REDI to build some economic resilience in your community? REDI is intended to support rural communities in creating jobs locally and building economic resilience. Join us on December 8, 2025, at 2 p.m. to learn about who and what types of projects are eligible for REDI as well as to hear stories from a panel of past REDI grantees about why REDI worked for them and what exciting projects they are bringing to life in their communities.
Innovative Local Government Workforce Solutions Grant Pilot Program
Deadline: January 15 | Details here. The Innovative Local Government Workforce Solutions Pilot Program seeks to fund innovative approaches that help local governments build a skilled and sustainable workforce that can be replicated in other local government organizations of similar size or complexity. This program is intended to identify best practices, concepts and ideas that support local governments in developing, testing, and scaling innovative workforce strategies.
Seed Funding for Early Childhood Development Programs
Deadline: January 31 | Details here. The Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood provides seed funding for projects that improve the well-being of children from birth to age seven. Support focuses on early childhood welfare, education and play, and parenting education, with an emphasis on research-driven models that help young children succeed. The Foundation looks for imaginative ideas that can influence early learning, caregiving, and family support.
Fighting Hunger in Communities Grants
Deadline: January 31 | Details here. The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are working to reduce hunger in their communities. Funding is available for programs that offer direct food assistance, rescue surplus food for redistribution, or provide nutrition education connected to food access. The Foundation aims to strengthen community-based hunger relief efforts and improve access to healthy food for people facing food insecurity.
Capital Funding to Strengthen Nonprofit Infrastructure
Deadline: February 1 | Details here. The Bolger Foundation provides capital funding to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen their infrastructure and better serve their communities. Grants specifically support projects that improve or expand tangible property owned by the applicant. Eligible capital efforts include constructing or enlarging facilities, upgrading buildings or grounds, and purchasing long-lasting equipment such as technology or specialized tools. The Foundation aims to empower nonprofits by investing in the physical resources they need to advance their mission.
Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants
Deadline: February 24 | Details here. The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program provides grants for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation.
USDOT Reconnecting Communities Institute Technical Assistance
The Reconnecting Communities Institute provides direct technical assistance to communities that are working to expand economic opportunity and mobility through transportation reconnection projects. Examples of eligible mobility barriers caused by transportation infrastructure include high speed roads, viaducts, transit and rail lines, and other transportation infrastructure that will create safety and mobility challenges. Support is provided through one-on-one technical assistance, group and peer-based learned, and on-demand tools and resources. To request support, apply using this form.
Extended Producer Responsibility | Requests for Reimbursements (RFR)
Deadline to request reimbursement: January 16 | Details here. Under Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, recycling service providers including local governments, can be reimbursed for 100% of the net costs of the eligible recycling services they provide to Colorado residents. The program helps expand recycling access, upgrade Colorado’s recycling infrastructure and educate the public on how to recycle.
Sustainable Forests and Rural Communities Initiative | Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation
Deadline: January 15 | Details here. Target population: Forest-based communities
The Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation’s Sustainable Forests and Communities Initiative supports efforts that strengthen the environmental, economic, and social well-being of forest-based communities in the U.S. Funding focuses on sustainable forest management, conservation, ecological restoration, and community-driven economic development.
Best and Brightest Management Internship and Fellowship | DOLA Division of Local Government
Details here. This program partners counties, municipalities and universities across the state, striving to meet the needs of communities, engage future leaders, and meet students where they are in their professional development, connecting them to community work in public service. How to Participate: Interested local governments should contact their Regional Manager to explore candidacy. A mentoring plan and a community profile are due February 2, 2026 | Students: Contact your academic program director to determine if this program is right for you, or contact Program Manager Randi Snead. Applications for the Fellowship are due March 3, 2026.
Climate Smart Communities Initiative Grants
Deadline: March 12, 2026. | Details here. The Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) is now accepting applications from communities looking to accelerate their climate resiliency plans and projects. Awards range from $75,000-$115,000. The funds can be used over a twelve-month period to advance a range of activities including risk assessments, community engagement, and implementation.
Main Street Webinar: AARP Funding for Main Street
January 20, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Register here. Join Colorado Main Street to learn about AARP opportunities to support your Main Street goals.
Technical Assistance for Childcare Facility Projects
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) offers technical assistance for child care facility projects. DOLA is teaming up with Executives Partnering to Invest in Children to host technical support sessions. This support is designed to provide timely, flexible guidance for child care facility projects that are ready to move forward and could benefit from expert help. More information is available on the DOLA website.
Resources & News
Updates to Colorado Resiliency Framework Coming in 2026
The Colorado Resiliency Office is continuing to integrate ideas into the 2025 update of the Colorado Resiliency Framework that will shape the next five years of economic, social, and environmental resilience in Colorado. Your final opportunity to provide feedback and insights on the Framework update will be during the public comment process (expected to begin in February). Be sure to join our email list to be alerted when the draft is available!
Thriving Communities Toolkit Released by Main Street America
Main Street America (MSA) has published a new toolkit of transportation-related resources developed through the technical assistance projects supported in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Thriving Communities Program.
Colorado Department of Local Affairs Local Community Funding Guide
The Division of Local Government (DLG) created this comprehensive resource to help local governments and nonprofit community organizations navigate the funding sources available through a variety of Federal and State programs. While not an exhaustive list, this guide is updated frequently as new information is available.
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