Engage With Us

Eligibility Applications Are Open

The 2025 Eligibility Application is now open. Eligibility is the first step in the SCFD funding process. 

Applications are due by Wednesday, September 10 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit the webpage below.

SCFD Staff in the Spotlight: Emma Mantooth

In continuation of our SCFD Staff in the Spotlight series, this month's feature is Communications Manager, Emma Mantooth! Emma joined SCFD in 2023, and has experience in nonprofit and philanthropic communications. Here are a few things you may not know about her, in her words:

The best part of Emma's job:

"Any opportunity to learn more about a funded partner and tell a story about what they’re working on! Some of my favorite projects are SCFD’s annual report, blogs, etc. because they allow me to interact with our grantees, do some creative writing, and share their amazing work with our community."

A recent, memorable experience with arts, culture, or science:

"I recently saw a 'Music in the Gallery' performance hosted by Friends of Chamber Music and Clyfford Still Museum. I played the violin for many years and have often played in chamber groups, so it’s always fun for me to revisit that time of my life through classical music. It was wonderful to hear the gorgeous quartet music echoing through the galleries of the Clyfford Still Museum on one of the first sunny days of spring."

Emma's current favorite tv show:

"Severance. I love the way it pokes fun at corporate culture while exploring the human condition and what it really means to be alive. It’s quietly funny, thought-provoking and mysterious." 

If SCFD had an office talent show, Emma would wow everyone with:

"My mentalism/mind-reading party tricks. Or my encyclopedic knowledge of Bravo’s Below Deck franchise." 

A fun fact:

"I love to read and was proud to finish 40 books last year!"

Emma's connection to Culture For All:

"Having been born and raised in the Denver metro area, my family took full advantage of the cultural organizations in our backyard – I grew up taking classes at the Denver Zoo, seeing shows at the Arvada Center, and visiting places like Dinosaur Ridge. When I moved back two years ago, the cultural organizations that SCFD supports made this place feel like home for me once again. I love interacting with folks when I'm out and about with the SCFD Bear mascot and hearing their stories about how cultural experiences have given them a sense of place in our community too."

Want to learn even more about Emma? Read her bio here.

Don't Forget: Add Your Free Days to the SCFD Website

Please help us share the amazing programming you provide by adding your organization's free days to our 2025 Free Days calendar here. This is one of our most-visited webpages, and we need your help making sure it has the most updated information so district residents can take advantage of free programs.

What you need, when you need it

Just a friendly reminder that we are continuing to add information, tutorials, grant deadlines, and other important details to pages dedicated to your tier of partnership with the district. Please use these resources to help answer your questions. 

Tier I | Tier II | Tier III 

Resources for Good

News from the America250-Colorado150 Commission

In 2026, Colorado will observe two significant anniversaries, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the state's sesquicentennial anniversary. The America250-Colorado150 Commission is excited to share two pieces of news with cultural organizations:

• The America250-Colorado150 Commission has partnered with the Anschutz Foundation, Daniels Fund, El Pomar Foundation, Boettcher Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, and the Adolph Coors Foundation to provide $5.5 million in funding for community projects as part of the 2026 Commemoration. Organizations are invited to submit an online interest form at least 20 weeks prior to their program/event start date to be considered for funding.
• There is now a toolkit available to download to help our community prepare for the commemoration, find resources, and market projects.

Membership Open to All Tier III Organizations

Now in the second year of an expanded pilot model, membership in The Collaborative of the SCFD is now open to all Tier III organizations. SCFD organizations can choose the membership tier that fits their needs and gain access to professional development, facilitated networking opportunities, and member discounts. Register for one of the following virtual info sessions to learn more:

May 20, 2025

12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

Register

June 3, 2025

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Register

June 24, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Register

Roundtables from The Collaborative of the SCFD

The Collaborative of the SCFD hosts roundtables, trainings and networking events, which are open to all SCFD Tiers. Please RSVP to Brianna Firestone (Brianna@CollaborativeSCFD.org) if you would like to attend the events below or if you have any questions.

Development Roundtable

Friday, June 20, 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Colorado Railroad Museum

17155 W 44th Ave, Golden, CO 80403

Please join us for our final Development roundtable of the season.

New Staff? Make Sure They're Signed Up for SCFD Email Communications!

As the 2025 grant cycle continues, please ensure that any new staff at your organization who might be involved with SCFD funds sign up for our email communications. We send regular updates to organizations by Tier regarding grant deadlines, trainings and more.

"Elevating the SCFD" Shout Out

As part of our ongoing work with you to help raise the profile of the SCFD for residents across the metro area, we’ll be giving a hat tip to organizations who have found a way to include SCFD in their outreach. The goal is to highlight all the ways your organization can help. 

We welcome all funded partners to join us in elevating the value of SCFD. Need ideas or content? Check out our Communicator's Toolkit. And don't forget to tag SCFD in your social media shout-outs or make sure there's an SCFD staff member on the distribution list for any email shout-outs for the chance to be featured below.

Hat Tip to Museum of Outdoor Arts

A special thank you to the Museum of Outdoor Arts for the social media shout-out to SCFD and the overview of their summer free days.

News from the Board

May Board Meeting

The next meeting of the SCFD Board of Directors will be held at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance at 1 p.m. on May 22, 2025. Get information for joining meetings and see the full calendar of 2025 board meetings.

Other News You Can Use

Did you know you can stay up to date on all things SCFD more than just once a month through our newsletter? Check out our News You Can Use webpage!

SCFD | scfd.org