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.
Examples of potential impact areas that the Foundation will give preference to include:
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 (things like gardens, trails, parks and land preservation).
Other: The Foundation will consider all ideas, but 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.
Project ideas are 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 review and potential approval as the beneficiary of funds from the Foundation’s Fall Fundraiser, or, will be forwarded on for consideration as part of the Foundation’s annual “For the Good of Golden” Grant Program.
Interested Golden non-profit organizations may download an application via the Golden Civic Foundation website or request one by email at Julie@GoldenCivicFoundation.org. Applications are due by May 12, 2023.
