Quarterly Community Grant Program

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation offers quarterly community grants with a primary focus on providing unrestricted operating support to arts and culture organizations based in Denver, Colorado. These grants are designed to promote organizational stability, allowing grantees to continue delivering public arts programming. While the Foundation prioritizes ongoing support, project-specific funding may also be considered as part of relationship-building, particularly with new applicants. Funding through these grants is capped at $60,000 per organization. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and culture organizations or fiscally-sponsored arts and culture groups with a mission centered on producing and presenting the arts for the public. Organizations must be based in Denver and deliver the majority of their programming in the city. A minimum of three years of consistent public programming is required, along with an annual operating budget of at least $50,000 and staffing equivalent to at least 0.5 full-time employees. Applicants must also demonstrate a strong understanding and clear plan for implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. While the Foundation’s primary focus is Denver, inquiries are welcome from small-budget, community-centered groups based in adjacent counties like Arapahoe, Adams, and Jefferson, though these may be considered exceptions. The application process for new applicants begins with the submission of a grant interest form. Returning grantees who have received funding within the past three years may bypass this step but are encouraged to engage in conversations with the Foundation’s team prior to submitting a new proposal. Organizations are allowed to apply for only one grant within a 12-month period and must submit a final report upon completion of the funded activities. Applications are accepted year-round, but there are specific quarterly deadlines for submission and subsequent award decisions. The four application deadlines fall on February 10, May 10, August 10, and November 10 (or the following Monday if the deadline is on a weekend). Corresponding award decisions are made in April, July, October, and January, respectively. Certain types of requests are ineligible for funding, including loans or scholarships to individuals, media or film production, religious activities, endowments, debt retirement, and any projects or organizations located outside Colorado or not benefiting Colorado citizens. Organizations using a fiscal sponsor are encouraged to consult the Foundation’s guidelines and use the provided template for their agreement. For questions or further assistance, applicants may contact the Foundation by phone at 303-825-3774 or via email at [email protected]. The Foundation's office is located at 1033 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204, United States.