Explore Funding

How is the Request for Funding process different from WCCF’s competitive grant processes? 

The RFF and Capital Campaign RFF are not formal applications. RFF submissions enable WCCF to learn about community needs and match compatible donor funds, when available, with nonprofits. 

What types of entities can submit RFFs to WCCF? 

Due to the wide variety of funds managed, we accept requests from nonprofits across a variety of sectors, including:  

• Animal Care (Humane Societies, Shelters, Rescue Facilities, etc.) 

• Arts and Culture 

• Community/Civic Engagement (Libraries, Newspapers, Radio Stations, etc.) 

• Education 

• Environment (Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, Climate, etc.) 

• Health (Healthcare, Medical, Mental Health, etc.) 

• Human Services/Basic Needs (Hunger, Housing, Family Services, etc.) 
• Suicide Prevention & Awareness (Mesa County)

• Youth Development 

What is the average grant award from the RFF process? 

• A variety of funds are assessed for potential matches to requests, but most funds have limited grantmaking capacity, with the typical grant from the RFF ranging from $1,000 to $5,000  

• The typical grant from the Capital RFF ranges from $10,000 to $25,000 

How often can a nonprofit submit an RFF? 

• WCCF does not limit the number of RFFs an organization may submit in a year, but typically nonprofits receive funding through this process no more than once a year 

If my organization submitted an RFF, can other grant processes be applied to at the same time? 

• WCCF also does not limit the number of processes an organization may apply to in a year  

• Organizations may submit a Request for Funding as well as applying to competitive processes such as Local Community Funds or Community Grants 

How do I know if my organization is eligible for funding? 

To be considered for a grant from WCCF, applicant organizations must be either: 

 1) a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity, or  

2) an organization that serves a charitable purpose (e.g. schools, governments, or churches with 

programs that carry out a charitable purpose, such as a food pantry).  

Organizations must also: 

1. have offices and/or services in one of the seven counties that WCCF serves (Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Blanco)  

1. be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State (CSOS) and in good standing  

What types of organizations do not qualify for funding?  

There are types of 501(c)(3) organizations that WCCF cannot award grants to; these include private foundations, private operating foundations and organizations that engage in lobbying activities.  

• To learn more about types of tax exempt organizations, visit Exempt Organization Types  

• To use the IRS tax exempt organization search tool, visit Tax Exempt Organization Search | Internal Revenue Service 

WCCF does not fund:
Individuals
Budget shortfalls
Operating reserves
Fundraising Events 

Click Here to Begin a Request for Funding 

Click Here to Begin a Capital Campaign Request for Funding 

The application process for 2026 will be open June 1 – June 26.

​Formerly the Bridge House, the Brownson Memorial Fund affiliated with WCCF in 2004, becoming WCCF’s first field of interest fund. Since 1985, the Brownson Memorial Fund has granted over $560,000 to organizations addressing substance abuse prevention and treatment in Mesa County. The Mesa County Substance Use Resource Guide was created as a result of a partnership between the Brownson Memorial Fund and the Mesa County Opioid Response Group.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The application process for 2026 will open August 17 and close September 18

Our Community Foundation launched the CORE Fund in 2019 with support from a generous group of founders and friends passionate about the three focus areas: conservation, outdoor recreation, and the environment. Given the broad spectrum CORE covers and WCCF’s finite resources, we work with our non-profit partners to support programs and projects with high-impact for the people and places of western Colorado. Some recent examples of funded projects include: the Outdoor Wilderness Lab (OWL) western Colorado’s only outdoor school that offers outdoor experiences through science-based curriculum to all D51 6th graders; the Colorado Water Trust’s work to keep  flows in the Colorado River above the confluence with Gunnison River; and Citizens for Clean Air biochar study that aims to keep carbon in the ground and reduce harmful burning practices.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The application process for 2026 will open February 2 and close February 27

The Eagle River Fund (ERF) supports projects and programs that protect, enhance, and maintain the quality, quantity, and temperature of water within the Eagle River Watershed. Projects are eligible for funding if they are submitted by an eligible entity and are classified within one or more of the ERF’s Objectives. Applicants must also reference the issue or project this work addresses within the Eagle River Community Water Plan or other published plans, and, if possible, the submission should be reference in the list of Community Water Plan Implementation Strategies/Appendix P. More information, including a link to the Implementation Strategies/Appendix P, can be found here. Projects that incorporate meaningful education/outreach efforts, research, scoping, and planning may be considered.

Applicants must already have identified and/or secured funding outside the Eagle River Fund grant. It is the intent of the Fund to provide initial or supplemental funding to eligible organizations that will enable such organizations to leverage the Eagle River Fund grant to obtain funds from other organizations and sources.

To learn more about the Eagle River Fund, visit HOME | The Eagle River Fund | Eagle, Colorado.

Applications to the Eagle River Fund will be submitted through WCCF’s grant portal. The Eagle River Fund team looks forward to building relationships with applicants through ongoing communication. Before starting an application, please reach out to Melanie Smith, smith@eagleriverco.org, to discuss your funding request.

If you have questions about beginning an application or navigating WCCF’s grant portal, reach out to a member of the WCCF Programs Team.

Sarah Fuller, Program Officer, sfuller@wc-cf.org
Talitha Costello, Database & Records Associate, tcostello@wc-cf.org

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

This fund will support projects and programs that enhance the overall health of all individuals in the Roaring Fork Valley. This funding opportunity will be open in 2026 from June 1 and close July 17.

Grant funding will support initiatives that address one or more of the following key areas:

• Advanced Primary Care
• Partnerships for Social Determinants of Health
• Workforce Education Scholarships
• Needs of Older Adults, Safety Net Support
• Health Education

In addition to funding projects and programs, the RFVCHF committee will also evaluate requests for general operational support and funding needs.

Eligible organizations include 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS, organizations that serve a charitable purpose, and must be serving communities and populations in the Roaring Fork Valley from Aspen to Parachute.

Priority will be given to projects or programs that reflect the RFVCHF’s values, which are:

• Innovation: We seek bold and creative approaches to advancing the whole health of the community.
• Equity: We believe that the whole array of health services should be readily accessible to all community members, regardless of culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or age.
• Legacy: We recognize the 65-year history of authentic local solutions to health care upon which this foundation is built.
• Integrity: Transparency, professionalism, and humility guide the fund’s approach.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The application process for 2026 will be open May 11 – October 30 and be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Funding Available for Organizations Serving Veterans in Mesa, Delta, and Montrose Counties

Eligible organizations must be a qualified 501 (c) (3), public school, or tax-exempt public service agency providing services within Mesa, Delta, and/or Montrose County.

The Trutta Fund is managed by the Western Colorado Community Foundation and supports organizations that serve veterans and their families. The Fund is named in honor of the USS Trutta SS 421, to support and give back to those who served.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The application is closed. This process will re-open in 2026.

The Western Colorado Health Fund offers funding for clinics, hospitals and other organizations to address issues of access to health care and to improve health care delivery in smaller, rural communities in our region. Tax-exempt organizations with programs to improve resident health through innovative or creative staffing arrangements, new technologies or other program, system or infrastructure investments are invited to submit an application. Preference will be given to programs serving less populated communities.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The new Delta Community Fund was established in 2023 by local community leaders to benefit organizations serving Delta, Colorado.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The Ouray County Community Fund was established as an endowed fund by local community leaders in Ouray County in order to build resources to help local nonprofits through annual grant distributions.

Since its establishment in 2016, the Ouray County Community Fund has distributed $400,000 in grants to nonprofits in Ouray County.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The Surface Creek Community Fund was established in 2019 by local community leaders to benefit the towns of Austin, Cedaredge, Cory, Eckert, and Orchard City in Delta County.

Since its establishment in 2019, the Surface Creek Community Fund has distributed $90,000 in grants to nonprofits in that area.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The San Juan County Community Fund (SJCCF) was established by local community leaders in order to help local nonprofits through the distribution of annual grants. This is made possible with support from both the Western Colorado Community Foundation – Dave and Mary Wood Fund, and Citizens State Bank.

Citizens State Bank (CSB) has been in operation for over 100 years with locations in Ouray, Ridgway, Silverton, and Naturita. CSB partners with people and businesses to make the communities they serve successful today and sustainable tomorrow.

Since its establishment in 2018, the San Juan County Community Fund has distributed $90,000 in grants to nonprofits.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

The Two Rivers Unrestricted Endowment Fund (T.R.U.E.) was established in 2018, by local community leaders to benefit the people in communities from Carbondale to New Castle. The theme for 2021 funding was: Make an Impact. Rebuild and Renew your organization.

Since its establishment in 2017, the T.R.U.E Grants Fund has distributed $ 100,000 in grants to nonprofits in that area.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.

WECF grant funding is available to organizations that primarily operate within Hotchkiss, Paonia, and Crawford. This funding is made possible from WECF’s community grants endowment and from generous donors in the North Fork Valley.

For the 2025 Grants Process, WECF was particularly interested in hearing from organizations applying for funds to address food insecurity in the North Fork Valley and/or are strategizing ways to increase volunteer engagement.

Since its establishment in 2018, the West Elk Community Fund has distributed $ 200,000 in grants to nonprofits in North Fork Valley.

Any time you access the system, there may be other application opportunities open. Please ensure you are applying to the correct funding opportunity.