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Community Foundation Of Northern Colorado

Annual Giving
$12.1M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M
Decision Time
2mo

Community Foundation Of Northern Colorado

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12.1 million (FY 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 8 weeks (late August to late October)
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $5,000 (Community Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Northern Colorado (Berthoud, Eastern CO, Estes Valley, Fort Collins, Loveland)

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1975, the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado (NoCo Foundation) is a regional community foundation managing over $230 million in assets and 620+ charitable funds. The foundation distributed $12.1 million in fiscal year 2024 to support nonprofit organizations across five Northern Colorado communities. Operating under the mission to "create transformational community impact by inspiring philanthropy and engaging the region," NoCo Foundation serves as both a vehicle for donor philanthropy and a strategic grantmaker addressing regional challenges. The foundation has set an ambitious ten-year vision to invest $225 million in community grantmaking and grow assets to $500 million by 2032. As an accredited community foundation meeting national standards, NoCo Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, marking five decades of community-driven philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants: $2,500 - $5,000

  • Application Period: August 5-29, 2025 (annual cycle)
  • Focus Areas: Sheltering & Caring, Connecting
  • Community-specific priorities vary by location

Intersections Grants: Amount varies

  • LOI Period: June 30 - July 18, 2025
  • Full Application: August 5-29, 2025 (invitation only)
  • Focus on cross-sector collaboration and systemic change

Additional Grant Opportunities:

  • GroupGives Fund (community-driven giving circles)
  • Loveland Generations Fund (intergenerational programs)
  • Kayla Marie Adsit Memorial Foundation (youth programs)
  • NoCo CARES (emergency relief)

Priority Areas

The foundation supports projects in two main focus areas:

  • Sheltering & Caring: Basic needs, housing, health, human services
  • Connecting: Community engagement, arts, culture, education

Community-specific priorities include:

  • Estes Valley: Food Security, Music & Arts
  • Fort Collins: Water, Workforce
  • Loveland: Community Engagement
  • Berthoud: General community needs
  • Eastern Colorado: Rural community development

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly excludes:

  • Individuals
  • Businesses or for-profit companies
  • Private foundations
  • Political lobbying activities
  • Sponsorships or event tickets
  • Debt retirement

Governance and Leadership

NoCo Foundation maintains 100% local staff and board governance, ensuring deep community connections and understanding of regional needs. Kristin Todd serves as CEO, having been named to the position in February 2021. The foundation emphasizes community-driven decision-making with local advisory boards informing grant priorities for each geographic area served.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through the foundation's online Grant Portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cfnoco. The foundation operates on an annual grant cycle with applications accepted during a limited window in August.

Community Grants Process:

  1. Review community-specific priorities on the website
  2. Create account in Grant Portal
  3. Submit application during August 5-29 window
  4. Await decision announcement in late October

Intersections Grants Process:

  1. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI) June 30 - July 18
  2. Await invitation for full application
  3. Submit full application August 5-29 (if invited)
  4. Decision announced late October

Decision Timeline

  • Application period: Late August (3-week window)
  • Review period: September - October
  • Decision announcement: Late October
  • Grant distribution: November - December

Success Rates

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, the foundation awarded approximately $110,000 to Estes Valley nonprofits and $85,200 to Loveland nonprofits in recent grant cycles, suggesting competitive but achievable funding opportunities.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation operates on an annual grant cycle. Organizations may reapply in subsequent years if unsuccessful, though specific waiting periods or restrictions are not publicly stated. Grant recipients must complete reporting requirements through the online portal before being eligible for future grants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and approach, successful applications should:

  • Align with community-specific priorities: Each geographic area has distinct focus areas beyond the general Sheltering & Caring and Connecting themes
  • Demonstrate collaborative approach: The Intersections Grants specifically reward cross-sector partnerships
  • Show measurable community impact: The foundation emphasizes "transformational community impact"
  • Utilize fiscal sponsorship if needed: Organizations without 501(c)(3) status can partner with eligible fiscal sponsors
  • Complete online portal requirements: All applications and reporting must be submitted through the designated system
  • Focus on sustainability: The foundation manages long-term funds and values projects with lasting impact

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Limited application window: Mark August 5-29 as critical dates - the foundation only accepts applications once per year
  • Community-specific approach: Research and address the unique priorities for your specific Northern Colorado community
  • Modest grant amounts: Community Grants cap at $5,000, making them accessible but requiring realistic project scoping
  • Invitation-only opportunities: Build relationships to potentially access Intersections Grants and other selective programs
  • Strong local focus: Emphasize deep community connections and understanding of regional challenges
  • Capacity building available: Beyond grants, explore the foundation's nonprofit support services including planned giving and endowment options
  • Collaborative advantage: Projects demonstrating partnerships and cross-sector collaboration may access additional funding streams

References

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