“For the Good of Golden” Grant Program Overview

The Golden Civic Foundation’s (GCF) mission is to invest in the economic and cultural vitality of the Golden community. We do this by mobilizing resources, gathering and sharing critical information, and making meaningful connections to keep the character of the Golden community. Since 1970, we have provided Civic Development, Community Grants and Small Business Loans with the help of our partnerships, donations, and volunteers. The GCF's Grant Program has provided more than $7.62 million to Golden's cultural, social service, clubs, schools and civic organizations.

We are pleased to carry on this tradition of giving in 2025 through two Grant Program funding opportunities:

Details About the Grants

Funding Priorities

We believe supporting the economic and cultural vitality of Golden requires taking a broad perspective. Organizations seeking funding through the Grant Program may be working on one or more of six components of a vibrant community: Civic Development, Arts & Culture, Social Services, Education, Outdoor Stewardship & Recreation, and Community Improvement.  The following table helps define GCF’s intention related to funding priorities.

  • Brick-and-mortar projects that provide improved amenities for our community such as improvements to a property (like a school track complex) or land, or property acquisition and re-purposing for the community’s benefit (like the American Mountaineering Center). 

  • Vibrant art and cultural amenities and experiences to promote cultural enrichment and help drive the local economy (examples include: public art, theater, music, and dance).

  • Infrastructure and resources to give residents of all ages equitable access to opportunities for healthy living (such as social service facilities, amenities, and services).

  • Projects that benefit Golden students with high-quality learning and development, meaningful opportunities to pursue post-secondary education, career training, and pathways to gainful employment and fulfilling lives.

  • Projects that sustain a healthy local outdoor environment and provide opportunities for outdoor entertainment and recreation (things like gardens, parks, and land preservation).

  • To provide "For the Good of Golden" at large and empower individuals or groups of people with the skills they need to effect change (strategic and organizational planning).

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants include:

  • Organizations classified as a 501 (c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service.

  • Organizations classified as a 501 (c)(4) or 501 (c)(6) by the Internal Revenue Service, but only for activities that produce a community benefit and are charitable in nature.

  • Local government agencies or public schools.

Applicant organizations must operate within Golden and funds must be used for the benefit of Golden citizens.  This includes areas with a Golden address in unincorporated Jefferson County, with the majority of funding directed within City limits.

The GCF will not consider grants to organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation, or presence of a disability.

Community Impact Grants

Grant range: $500 to $5,000

Deadline: March 7, 2025

GCF's Community Impact Grant Program will fund efforts to make a positive impact on the quality of life and create a better future for residents in our community.

An organization can apply once a year for only one of the following grant types:

1) Capacity-Building Grants

2)     Program Grants

Selection Criteria

Each of these Community Impact Grants will be evaluated with the following criteria.  A strong proposal will:

  • Fulfill the intended purpose of the selected grant type (Capacity-Building or Program).

  • Demonstrate alignment with one or more of GCF’s Funding Priorities and its mission to advance the economic and cultural vitality of Golden.

  • Articulate a well-defined need with clearly defined actions to meet the need.

  • Leverage other available funding and partnerships to have the greatest impact.

  • Define success for the proposed work and how it will be measured.

1) Capacity-Building Grants

Capacity-Building Grants exist to foster efforts to increase organizational effectiveness and sustainability. Proposals should include developing and strengthening an organization's skills, resources, and processes to help it achieve its mission.

To do great work, non-profits and municipalities need strong leaders, clear plans, efficient systems, and a sustainable revenue stream. This takes staff development and time to explore and plan, and we realize you do not have much time to spare. This program intends to supplement other available funding in pursuit of capacity-building goals.  We welcome the use of these funds as challenge grants to secure the additional funds.  

Example Capacity-Building Grant efforts include:

  • Board training that enhances organizational capacity in the areas of recruitment, orientation, or retention

  • Board governance  

  • Leadership development

  • Organization/Board Planning (annual/strategic)

  • Collaboration/Partnerships

  • Financial management oversight (budgets and financial reporting)

  • Development of best practices in non-profit management

  • Development of succession plans (leadership and non-leadership levels)

  • Technology (use/implementation, needs assessment, planning)

  • Communications/Marketing planning

  • Service (design, evaluation, record keeping)

  • Project management training

  • Staff development and training (team building, performance management, staffing structure)

  • Creation of peer-to-peer learning opportunities

In 2025, the GCF is proud to enhance its Capacity-Building giving related to technology thanks to the generous contribution from Au Wireless through the Au Tech Fund.

2)  Program Grants

Program Grants exist to build a healthy and thriving community. Proposals should advance solutions to our community’s greatest challenges using innovative strategies and a collaborative spirit.  This opportunity is intended to support basic needs or civic purposes. 

Example Program Grant efforts include:

  • Activities that assist low-income or otherwise disadvantaged individuals to meet basic needs, such as food, health care, and urgent housing needs, like emergency rental assistance.

  • Activities that enhance Golden's culture and heritage and are likely to be of economic benefit to and broadly used by the Golden community.

The GCF will consider funding for pilot or demonstration projects, as well as ongoing programs or projects that provide much-needed services.

Community Impact Grant Application Process

Community Impact Grants are awarded through an annual application cycle. Online applications start January 20th, 2025.

  • Applications Due: Friday, March 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

  • Review Process: Through March and April 2025, the GCF's Board of Directors and Advisors will conduct interviews with applicants.

  • Final Selection: A final review panel composed of Board Directors and GCF Staff will determine the 2025 Community Impact Grant Program funding decisions.

  • Notification: Grantees will be contacted regarding their status and amount of grant in late April 2025.

Helping Hands Grants

Grant range: $500 to $20,000

Deadline: Rolling

The Golden community is, and always has been, one that helps a neighbor. Helping Hands Grants are intended to help with unexpected expenses that impact an organizations' ability to meet their mission, manage an unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive emergency or take advantage of an unanticipated opportunity that will enhance their work in Golden.

Organizations receiving Helping Hands Grants are eligible for special grants from the GCF every other year.

Selection Criteria

Helping Hands Grants will be evaluated using the following criteria:  A strong proposal will:

  • Demonstrate an unanticipated, immediate, and time-sensitive need.

  • Preserve or enhance an organization’s ability to meet its mission.

  • Leverage community support for the project and the organization.

  • Articulate how an investment would support program sustainability or the financial stability of the organization.

Helping Hands Grants Application Process

The GCF manages an accelerated review process for Helping Hands Grant applications, which are accepted on a rolling basis. 

  • Step 1: Applicant submits a brief Letter of Interest (LOI) that gives an overview of the organization and expresses the need for funds in alignment with selection criteria.  (Email LOI to the GCF’s Executive Director)

  • Step 2: If the LOI is approved, the applicant is invited to submit an online application.

  • Step 3: The proposal is reviewed by the Board of Directors.

  • Step 4: Funding notification will take place within a month of receiving the application.

Frequently Asked Question

    • General operating expenses

    • Fundraising activities or events

    • Lost revenue

    • Individuals

    • Endowments

    • Debt retirement or debt financing

    • Lobbying

    • Fellowships

    • Technical or specialized research

    • Nonprofit start-up

    • Legal fees

    • Deferred building maintenance

    • Deferred technology upgrades

    • Capital campaigns

    • Debts

    • Past due tax return and audit preparation

    • Work that has already been completed

    • Budget deficits or funding shortfalls; this grant is designed to help nonprofits with unbudgeted and unexpected expenses, not to fill in for unmet revenue projections

  • GCF has a history of funding faith-based organizations, as long as it meets the criteria of providing services to the Golden community and does not conflict with the anti-discrimination statement.  (I.e. GCF will not consider grants to organizations which discriminate on the basis of age, gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation, or presence of a disability.)

  • Yes. Fiscal sponsorship is a contractual agreement between a tax-exempt organization and a project that allows the project to receive tax-deductible donations and grants. Fiscal sponsorship is a contractual agreement between a tax-exempt organization and a project that allows the project to receive tax-deductible donations and grants.  It can be a cost-effective alternative to forming a nonprofit, and can facilitate greater community benefit.

  • Yes. The GCF considers infrastructure and operational investments that support new construction, renovation, purchase of property, and/or new technology systems.

Past Grant Recipients