Call for Big Ideas in Golden (B.I.G.) Grant Applications – Due May 12, 2023
MARCH 16, 2023 – The Golden Civic Foundation (Foundation), today announced the opportunity for Golden-based non-profit organizations to submit applications for the annual Big Ideas in Golden (B.I.G.) Grant Program. The Foundation’s annual, B.I.G. Grant supports community projects that will make a BIG and lasting impact on the Golden community. Project applications must be submitted by May 12, 2023 to be considered for the 2023 B.I.G. Grant.
One B.I.G. Grant applicant will be selected to be the beneficiary of a percentage of funds raised at the Foundation’s annual Fall Fundraiser. The total funding amount is contingent upon total funds raised (which has ranged from $55,000 to $82,000 in recent years). Past B.I.G. Grant recipients include the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, the Golden Fire Department’s Art Tribute project and the Community Track project at Golden High School.
“Our goal with the B.I.G. Grant Program is to provide a straightforward way for the community to better inform our work ‘For the Good of Golden’,” said Heather Schneider, Executive Director for the Foundation. “We want to hear directly from our local community non-profit organizations about viable projects that will materially improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors for many years to come.”
In alignment with the Foundation’s founding purpose to “to operate for the charitable and civic purposes for the citizens and residents of the City of Golden,” the Foundation is asking Golden-based non-profit organizations to submit proposals for projects that most likely will not be addressed by local, City of Golden tax funds and that will improve the quality of life for a broad base of the Golden community. “Shovel-ready,” brick and mortar projects are preferred but all ideas will be assessed in relation to their impact on our community. All applicants must be an established 501(c)(3) organization, a local government agency or public school, or be partnered with a 501(c)(3) non-profit fiscal agent, and, must provide a preliminary business plan, including proof of 25% initial funding and other possible funding sources beyond this grant.
Grant Information
Project Scope
The Foundation requests that Golden-based non-profit organizations submit proposals for projects that most likely will not be addressed by local, City of Golden tax funds and that will improve the quality of life for a broad base of the Golden community. “Shovel-ready,” brick and mortar projects are preferred but all ideas will be assessed in relation to their impact on our community.
Applications are due on Friday, May 12, 2023.
Please review the following information. There is a link at the bottom of this page to download an application.
Preferred Impact Areas:
- Arts & Culture: Vibrant art and cultural amenities and opportunities to promote cultural enrichment and help drive the local economy. Examples could include public art and theater, music or dance equipment or resources.
- Civic Development: “Brick and mortar” type projects that provide improved amenities for our community such as improvements to a property (like a community track complex) or land, property acquisition and re-purposing for the community’s benefit (like the American Mountaineering Center or Meyer Hardware building).
- Critical Needs Support: Infrastructure to give residents of all ages equitable access to opportunities for healthy living, such as social service facilities or amenities.
- Environment: Projects that sustain a healthy local community and provide opportunities for outdoor entertainment and recreation, such as gardens, trails, parks and land preservation.
- Other: The Foundation will consider all ideas, and preference will be placed on physical (“brick and mortar”) type projects that will have a long-lasting impact on the quality of life for the community of Golden.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible non-profit organization applicants must be classified as a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service, be partnered with a 501(c)(3) non-profit fiscal agent or, be a local government agency or public school. Applicant organizations must operate within the City of Golden and funds must be used for the benefit of Golden citizens.
All eligible applicants must provide:
- A completed application
- Proof of 501(c)(3) non-profit status
- A modestly detailed business plan with a feasible funding strategy
- A step-by-step schedule for project completion within, preferably 12, and up to 24 months
- Proof of 25% funding including a description of other possible funding sources beyond this grant
Project Review Process & Timeline
Project ideas will be reviewed and considered annually by an Advisory Committee consisting of a Golden Civic Foundation Board of Director and four independent citizens representing various areas of Golden. The favored idea(s) will be brought to the entire Golden Civic Foundation Board of Directors for approval as the beneficiary of a percentage of funds raised at the Foundation’s Fall Fundraiser, or, forwarded on for consideration as part of the Foundation’s annual “For the Good of Golden” Grant Program.
What We Will Not Fund
Important to note is that we do NOT fund:
- Direct support of individuals; endowments; churches, church projects, or religious organizations; sport organizations or booster clubs; debt retirement or operational deficits
- General operating expenses
- Production of films or other media-related projects
- Preschools, day care centers, nursing homes, etc.
- Political issues or efforts
- Tickets, raffles, golf outings, or sponsorships.
The Golden Civic Foundation will not consider grants to organizations which discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, national origin, religious affiliation, or presence of a disability.
2022 B.I.G Idea Grant Recipient:
Miners Alley Performing Arts Center Theater Seating Project
In late 2022, the Golden Civic Foundation selected the Miners Alley Playhouse as our Big Ideas in Golden (B.I.G.) Grant recipient and we raised more than $80,000 to fund the theater seating in the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center. Produced by the City of Golden’s Media Production Specialist, Bob Pearce, check out this fantastic video that helps tell the story of transforming our beloved Meyer Hardware into its “second act” as the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center:
“The support from the Golden Civic Foundation from their annual B.I.G. Grant and the generosity of the Golden community is unlike any other fundraising effort I have ever been associated with. The money raised in that one celebratory evening helped to transform our school’s upper athletic field to workable areas for football, track & field, soccer, lacrosse, and so much more. We are extremely proud of this new update to our school and welcome its use by the community when students are not on campus. I cannot express how deeply appreciative we are that GCF helped us with this project.”
