Explore Funding

Western Colorado Community Foundation’s 2025 Request For Funding (RFF)  is an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to submit requests to the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF) for either general operating support/project support or smaller capital requests under $25,000. The RFF is not a competitive application, and is reviewed quarterly by the WCCF Grants and Program Team for consideration for funding across our fund portfolio.

These may include:

• Animal Welfare
• Arts and Culture
• Children’s Health
• Disadvantaged Youth
• Education
• Environment and Outdoor Recreation
• Hunger
• Housing
• Youth Wellbeing and Mental Health

Note: Please ensure you are in the correct process or application once logged into your dashboard. Any open competitive grant applications will be visible in the “apply” section of your dashboard, including our geographic based Local Community Funds.

If seeking capital funds of $25,000 or over, please fill out the 2025 Capital Campaign Request for Funding.

The 2025 Capital Campaign Request is an opportunity for nonprofit organizations to submit requests for capital funding over $25,000 to the Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF). For smaller capital requests of $25,000 or under, (equipment, technology, building improvements or restoration), or program/operating support, please submit to the 2025 Request for Funding. The Capital Campaign Request is not a formal application and there is no guarantee of funding.  Submissions are reviewed quarterly by the WCCF Grants and Program Team for consideration for funding across our fund portfolio. Organizations submitting a Capital Campaign Request will be informed of their status within the month following the quarter in which the request is submitted.

2025 Community Grants process will be open from May 5th through October 3rd and reviewed on a rolling basis. A conversation with a WCCF Programs Officer is required before beginning an application.   

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 2025 will be open June 6 – June 30.

​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 $520,000 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 2025 will open this fall. 

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.

Before applying for grants through the CORE fund, please contact Emily Orbanek.

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. 

The Suicide Prevention and Awareness Fund was formed in 2018 for the purposes of supporting programs and initiatives that promote awareness, education, advocacy, and collaboration towards the prevention of suicide among all age groups and demographics in Mesa County.

Applicants must be a 501(c)3 or other tax-exempt charitable entity as defined by the IRS, such as a school or church. Organizations should also be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State.

Grants typically range from $1,000 – $5,000.

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 2025 will be open May 12 – October 31 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 . 

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 application is closed for 2024. 

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 application is closed for 2024. 

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 $209,004 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 application is closed for 2024. 

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 $27,750 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 application is closed for 2024. 

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 $41,000 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 application is closed for 2024. 

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 $ 68,000 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 application is closed for 2024. 

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

Since its establishment in 2018, the West Elk Community Fund has distributed $ 117,415 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.