2018 Nonprofit Grant Program Guidelines

Purpose  

The Jefferson County Open Space Nonprofit (NP) Grants program provides funding assistance for public park and recreation programs and projects occurring on public lands and/or facilities in accordance with State of Colorado Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) requirements. The CTF are proceeds from the Colorado Lottery.

Eligibility

This program is for nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations with a mission or purpose of providing or enhancing parks, recreation, trails, land conservation, and/or environmental stewardship and education on publicly owned land. To be eligible for NP Grants, an organization must provide written documentation that it meets the above criteria. Jefferson County Open Space will make the final eligibility determination based on information provided by the nonprofit organization.

Projects eligible for award include:

• Outdoor Park and Recreation Projects – new and capital renovations
• Land acquisitions for parks, trails, open space and recreation facilities
• Conservation education facilities – indoor and outdoor
• Historic building or site restoration/renovation

Examples of projects not eligible for NP funding – Operating expenses involving program activities and supplies and non-capital improvements per State of Colorado Conservation Trust Fund requirements. Additionally, facilities offering limited public access will not be considered.

Grant Criteria

1. All applications must be for an eligible project as described above: projects that are “ready to be implemented” within 18 months.
2. Each eligible nonprofit entity may apply for one grant annually.
3. Projects are eligible for up to 75% NP Grant funding with a minimum applicant cash match of 25%.
4. All projects must be completed within18 months of the grant award.  If projects are not completed in this period, future grant eligibility may be suspended until they are completed.

2018 Nonprofit Grant Application

Funding

The 2018 proposed NP Grant funding is $25,000.

Note: The 2018 NP Grant program funding from the Conservation Trust Fund, must be approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), as part of the 2018 Jeffco Open Space, Budget, likely to occur in December 2017.

Schedule

Completed and signed NP Grant applications must be emailed to us by November 10, 2017 at [email protected]. The planned grant schedule is as follows:

JCOS Contact: Gina Barton, Administration & Real Estate Manager - (303) 271-5943