“For the Good of Golden” Community Grant Program
In alignment with the Golden Civic Foundation’s vision, a thriving community is defined by a collection of people and ideas that come together in a resounding chorus of purpose, pride, and spirit. We believe that a vital voice in that chorus is that of the non-profits serving the people of Golden in a variety of ways. Therefore, the Golden Civic Foundation intends to support our great community organizations to carry out their missions by providing the “For the Good of Golden” Community Grant Program.
Funding Priorities
Although all innovative ideas that meet emerging needs or opportunities of the Golden community will be considered, the following are the Golden Civic Foundation’s funding priority areas:
1. Civic Development
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 our old high school’s new use as the American Mountaineering Center).
2. Arts & Culture
Vibrant art and cultural amenities and experiences to promote cultural enrichment and help drive the local economy (examples include: public art, theater, music, dance, etc.).
3. Social Services
Infrastructure to give residents of all ages equitable access to opportunities for healthy living (such as social service facilities, amenities and services).
4. Education
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.
5. Environment
Projects that sustain a healthy local community and provide opportunities for outdoor entertainment and recreation (things like gardens, parks and land preservation).
6. Public Benefit/Community Improvement
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).
The Golden Civic Foundation is a catalyst for a positive change in our community. From bolstering essential human services to strengthening cultural enrichment, the Golden Civic Foundation embodies the spirit of generosity and philanthropy of the people of Golden. To Golden History Museum & Park, GCF has been a critical partner for advancing the museum’s educational and preservation mission and improving accessibility for all audiences. Because of the Golden Civic Foundation, Golden is a better place.
Download Printable Flyer
Please click below to download the “For the Good of Golden” Community Grant Program 2024 Overview flyer.
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; and tickets, raffles, golf outings, or sponsorships.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible, an applicant organization must be classified as a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service 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.
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. Additionally, no grants will be made to an organization whose primary purpose is to influence legislation or to participate in a political campaign.
Grant Process
It is intended that the applications that best meet the established grant criteria will be given preference for funding. However, the Golden Civic Foundation will judge the merits of each application and the amount of funding, if any, based on not only the selection criteria, but also available funds, current Golden Civic Foundation objectives, past experience and history, and other tangible and intangible criteria. The Golden Civic Foundation reserves as the sole decision-maker regarding grant funding.
Grant Opportunities
The following list provides an overview of funding opportunities supported by the “For the Good of Golden” Grant Program. Before applying, please review the detailed descriptions and application information for each of these grant programs.
Community Impact Grants
The Golden Civic Foundation’s Community Impact Grants fund measurable strategies to make a positive impact on the quality of life and create a better future for residents in our community. An organization can only apply once a year for only one of the following grants:
- Collaborative Grant: Grants ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 that think collectively and act collaboratively in addressing a community need, improving community support, solving a problem, or enriching the people of Golden’s educational, health, or cultural experience.
- Organizational Improvement Grant: Grants up to $7,500 that focus on an organization’s planning needs related directly to how they might achieve their mission through strategic planning, merger conversations, and similar efforts.
- Support Grant: Previously known as our “Community Grant Program,” these grants range from $500 to $5,000 and help fund community initiatives that advance solutions to our community’s greatest challenges using innovative strategies and a collaborative spirit.
Applications opened on January 19th and will close on March 1st, 2024.
Helping Hands Grants
The Golden community is, and always has been, one that helps a neighbor. Our Helping Hands Grants (previously known as our “Special Grants”) are intended to help with unexpected expenses that impact an organization’s 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 the community of Golden.
Helping Hands Grant awards range from $500 to $30,000 per award. Applications will be accepted throughout the year and are available based on remaining funding. An organization that receives a Helping Hands Grant can only apply every other year.
Big Ideas in Golden (B.I.G.) Grants
Over the past three years, the Golden Civic Foundation has raised over $250,000 for three worthwhile projects through the B.I.G. Grant via the paddle raise at our annual fall fundraising event. These projects included the Golden Volunteer Firefighter Art Tribute, seating for the new Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, and outdoor seating for the new Foothills Art Center Astor House location. We were very proud to support these projects and deserving organizations.
This program is being retired in 2024 as we evaluate other strategies for maximizing our community impact.
2023 Impact
The 2023 Community Grant award highlights include:
- “For the Good of Golden” Community Grants: 2023 Community Grants totaling $108,750 were awarded to 37 Golden non-profits, including cultural, social service, clubs, schools and civic organizations. Examples of support include funding to: The City of Golden Parks & Recreation Department to offer “The Marv Kay Come In & Play Free Day” of admissions for Golden residents at the Golden Community Center to encourage health and wellness and celebrate volunteerism; the Golden Visitors Center to hire a consultant to help implement customer relationship management (CRM) software to better manage donor relations and communications; the Golden Lions Club to purchase tents and pub tables for events that are shared with the community; enable the completion of a multi-year project to provide paved, ADA accessible walkways throughout the 15-acre Colorado Railroad Museum grounds; and, support Golden Schools Foundation’s mental health and wellness program, as well as support their credit recovery program in Golden’s articulation schools.
- “Helping Hands” Special Grants: Special Grants totaling $62,500 were awarded to five local organizations including: BGOLDN and CAG Food Pantry & Thrift Store to support a collaboration project to strengthen the food supply chain and reduce costs for the food pantry system in Golden; the Golden History Museum to support the digitization of Golden High School yearbooks for its 150th anniversary; the Golden Fire Department to support the annual pancake breakfast; the Golden Police Department to support the purchase of armor vests; and funding for Golden Start Up Coffee.
- BIG Ideas in Golden (B.I.G.) Grant: A Citizen Advisory Committee, along with the Foundation’s Board of Directors, selected Foothills Art Center as the recipient of the 2023 B.I.G. Grant. During the Paddle Raise at the October 2023 Bavarian Banquet, the Foundation and guests raised $85,865 to fund outdoor seating at the Foothills Art Center’s new facility in the former Astor House.
- Long-Term Critical Needs Support: Per direction from the Foundation’s founding members, the Foundation continues to provide annual financial support to the CAG Food Pantry & Thrift Store, a Golden-based, non-denominational, non-profit food bank and thrift store, run solely by volunteers. In 2023, $13,200 was donated for on-going operations.