Free funder guide · Colorado · Last checked 27 September 2026
Which Colorado environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Colorado have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 14 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Colorado that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Colorado is thin on open private money for secular conservation work: several of the state's biggest open foundations are left off because their latest filings include grants to churches or religious charities. Much of the conservation money here is public (lottery, water and forest programs), so the list leans on those and on community foundations.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Colorado, 539 of the 702 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets that I could check tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 77%.
That leaves 163 larger Colorado foundations that say they will read an application. It is a higher share of closed doors than in Virginia (71%, 586 of 820) and Maryland (76%, 559 of 739), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Colorado address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (tax years 2023 to 2026, almost all 2024 or 2025). There are 704; 2 had no e-filed return I could find, so they are left out of the count. Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Virginia and Maryland. Counting them too gives 78% (593 of 763).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
14 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Colorado.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 27 Sept 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedRolling applications any timeFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm first
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
Denver · statewide
The lottery-funded state trust for parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open space. Its base programs are Community Impact (parks, trails, natural areas and stewardship), Land Acquisition (fee purchases with public access, and easements when tax credits fall short) and Pathways (research and tools). Land conservation organizations can apply directly; other nonprofits must partner with a local government or land trust.
Typical grant
Community Impact typically $100,000 to $2 million; Land Acquisition generally up to $3 million; Pathways typically $100,000 to $300,000 (its 2026 to 2027 grant calendar). About $25.9 million goes out through the base programs in the year to June 2027 (its site).
Next deadline
Second 2026 to 2027 cycle: concept papers by January 21, 2027; invited applications due March 11, 2027; awards June 2027 Verified. Urgent land acquisitions are taken at any time.
How to apply
Talk to your GOCO regional officer first (it suggests six months or more before the concept deadline), then submit a concept paper; invited applicants have five weeks to apply. Land trusts that are Keep It Colorado members can also apply to its GOCO-funded Transaction Cost Assistance Program for easement costs (next cycle expected January 2027).
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: RESTORE Colorado
Washington, DC · statewide
Large habitat restoration and stewardship projects on public and private conservation land: watershed resilience (wetlands, riparian and forest), eastern grasslands, sagebrush, big game winter range and migration corridors, some urban habitat, and capacity for conservation groups to develop and deliver projects. Run with GOCO, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board and other partners.
Typical grant
Minimum $100,000; about 10 awards expected in 2027; match encouraged but not required (2027 request for proposals). Colorado grants in NFWF's filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Colorado West Land Trust $229,958 (riparian restoration for sage-grouse and ungulates), RiversEdge West $109,290, Southern Plains Land Trust $107,384, Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust $100,000.
Next deadline
Full proposals due November 12, 2026, 9:59 p.m. MT Verified. Awards announced March to April 2027.
How to apply
Full proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system; urban projects should be discussed with NFWF staff first.
Colorado Water Conservation Board: Water Plan Grants
Denver · statewide
State grants that carry out the Colorado Water Plan, including a Watershed Health and Recreation category (planning, design and on-the-ground watershed projects) and Conservation and Land Use Planning. Nonprofit corporations are eligible.
Typical grant
No range published. For the December 1, 2026 round about $11.2 million remains, including $4.15 million for Watershed Health and Recreation and $1.72 million for Conservation and Land Use Planning (its site).
Next deadline
December 1, 2026 Verified; then July 1, 2027 (it runs two cycles a year, July 1 and December 1). Board decisions come at the March and September meetings.
How to apply
Register on the CWCB Portal (approval takes a day or two) and submit the application with its Statement of Work and Budget and Schedule templates. It strongly suggests a pre-application meeting with your regional grant manager several months ahead.
Colorado State Forest Service: Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation
Fort Collins · statewide
Cost-share grants for fuels reduction and forest health projects that protect communities and water supplies, plus capacity-building projects. Nonprofits that promote fuels reduction in partnership with local, state or private entities can apply.
Typical grant
About $7.04 million available in the 2026 to 2027 cycle, of which up to $2 million for capacity building; at least a 1:1 match (its site).
Next deadline
October 8, 2026, 5 p.m. Verified. Every applicant must consult Colorado Wood Utilization and Marketing (CoWood) first; emails sent after October 1, 2026 may not get an answer in time.
How to apply
Online grant management platform, one application per project type. Tell your local CSFS field office you intend to apply and include a county support letter.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Outdoor Equity Grant Program
Denver · statewide
Lottery-funded grants for programs that get youth (0 to 25) and families from communities kept out of the outdoors into environmental, conservation and outdoor education, stewardship and job training. General operating grants are open to organizations whose mission includes conservation or the environment.
Typical grant
Up to $100,000; $10.5 million awarded across 165 grants so far (its site).
Next deadline
Closed; it opens again in April 2027 (its site) Expected. The 2026 round took interest forms April 30 to June 2, 2026, with full applications by invitation.
How to apply
A short Grant Interest Form first; selected applicants are invited to a full online application.
Denver · seven-county Metro Denver, and statewide groups with Metro Denver impact
One of four priority areas is environment and climate, defined narrowly: air quality, energy efficiency and access to renewable energy in the community. It does not cover outdoor access, wildlife, land conservation or recreation. Community leadership and racial equity weigh heavily in review.
Typical grant
$20,000 to $50,000; about $4 million to $5 million a year across two cycles (its site gives both figures). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing include GRID Alternatives Colorado $108,547 and Groundwork Denver $46,000 (the filing does not separate these from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
The 2026 cycles ran January 15 to March 2 and June 15 to August 3, 2026. Next cycle about January to March 2027 Expected; 2027 dates are not posted.
How to apply
TDF Grant Manager online portal; it offers a pre-application workshop recording and asks you to call or email before applying if unsure of fit.
NoCo Foundation (Community Foundation of Northern Colorado): Fort Collins Community Grants
Fort Collins · Fort Collins (also Berthoud, Estes Valley and Loveland for other priorities)
Small general operating grants from its community funds. In Fort Collins, conservation is one of the 2026 priority areas for the Community Grant (not the larger Intersections Grant). Most of its giving comes from donor-advised funds that do not take applications.
Typical grant
Community Grants typically $2,500 to $5,000 (its site). Environmental grants in its filing for the year to June 2025 include Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed $146,000, High Plains Environmental Center $105,000 and Big Thompson Watershed Coalition $98,000 (the filing does not separate competitive grants from donor-advised gifts).
Next deadline
The 2026 Community Grant application ran July 28 to August 23, 2026, with decisions in late October. Next round about late July 2027 Expected.
How to apply
One application per year through its online grant portal; general operating support only.
Telluride · San Miguel County, Rico, Ouray County and west Montrose County
One competitive cycle a year across seven focus areas, one of which is climate and conservation ("Protect and preserve surrounding natural areas"). General operating, program and matching requests are all considered.
Typical grant
Generally $500 to $40,000; first-time applicants are encouraged to ask modestly (its guidelines). Environmental grants in its 2024 filing: San Miguel Watershed Coalition $45,000, Colorado West Land Trust $18,000, Montezuma Land Conservancy $15,000.
Next deadline
October 9, 2026, 5 p.m. MT Verified. Grants are awarded at the end of December.
How to apply
Online grant application portal; a recorded webinar and guidelines are on the page.
Yampa Valley Community Foundation: WHILD fund and Community Grants
Steamboat Springs · Routt County (Community Grants also Moffat County)
The Wildlife Habitat Improvement (WHILD) fund pays for habitat projects in Routt County, from planning and research to capital work and education, with a review committee drawn from state and federal land and wildlife agencies. Its annual Community Grant Cycle gives general operating or program grants to Routt and Moffat County nonprofits.
Typical grant
Community Grants up to $10,000; the 2026 cycle gave $725,979 to 91 nonprofits (its site). WHILD amounts are not published, and its filing lists grants only as an attachment, so there are no filing examples.
Next deadline
WHILD: applications open November 16, 2026 and are due January 8, 2027 Verified. Community Grant Cycle: the 2026 round ran April 13 to June 1, 2026; next about April 2027 Expected.
How to apply
CommunityForce online portal; the WHILD page links the application questions and scoring rubric.
Breckenridge · Summit County, plus Alma, Fairplay, Kremmling and Leadville
One of its four priority impact areas is environmental stewardship. Nonprofits may apply once a year; first-time applicants must meet with the foundation before applying.
Typical grant
Up to $10,000 for groups serving the neighboring communities (its site); no published range for Summit County groups. Environmental grants in its filing for the year to September 2025: High Country Conservation Center $86,000, Cloud City Conservation Center $10,000, Blue River Watershed Group $7,865, Friends of the Lower Blue River $6,000.
Next deadline
The annual application is closed and reopens in August 2027, when it moves to a single fall cycle (its site) Expected. Exact dates are not posted.
How to apply
Online grant application; new applicants first set up a meeting with the Community Impact Officer for grants and nonprofits.
Chaffee County Community Foundation: Chaffee Common Ground
Buena Vista · Chaffee County
County sales-tax money that the foundation administers for Chaffee County: competitive grants for forest health and wildfire risk, conserving working ranches and rural landscapes, and managing the impacts of outdoor recreation, on private and public land.
Typical grant
$5,000 to $100,000, most under $50,000; $450,000 available in the 2026 to 2027 round; preference for at least a 50% match (its site). Grants in its 2025 filing include Central Colorado Conservancy $315,500 (ranch and rangeland management), Colorado Firecamp $76,095 (community forestry) and Greater Arkansas River Nature Association $26,028.
Next deadline
The 2026 to 2027 round ran July 20 to August 28, 2026; decisions in December. Next round about July to August 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online grant portal after the June orientation; projects must be finished within the calendar year funded, and requests of $50,000 or more need a track record with similar work.
Carbondale · Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana
Small grants to grassroots groups protecting wild lands, rivers, wetlands, biodiversity and public lands in the Rocky Mountain West. It rarely funds groups with budgets over $1 million and does not fund buildings, recreation facilities, parks or reservoirs, tree planting, recycling or wildlife rehabilitation.
Typical grant
$1,000 to $5,000 (its site). Its 2025 filing shows 51 grants totaling $236,900, 19 of them in Colorado, for example Energy & Conservation Law $6,000, Great Old Broads for Wilderness $6,000, San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council $5,000 and Wilderness Workshop $5,000.
Next deadline
Once a year; the 2026 deadline was April 30, with awards by September 30. Next deadline about April 30, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
New applicants email a one-page letter of inquiry to the grant director first; past grantees send the application form, a narrative of four pages or less and attachments as two PDFs by email.
San Francisco, CA · national, with many Colorado grants
Funds the environment, reproductive rights, peace and arms control, and civil rights. Its Colorado grants go mostly to public-lands, wilderness, energy and conservation advocacy groups. It warns that it has a very limited budget for new applicants and does not usually fund land or easement purchases.
Typical grant
Its 2024 filing shows 92 grants totaling $1,975,000, 26 of them to Colorado groups ($460,000), for example EcoFlight $30,000, Energy and Conservation Law $30,000, Wilderness Workshop $20,000, Wild Connections $20,000 and San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council $10,000.
Next deadline
Twice a year, by March 1 and September 1 (its standing schedule) Verified. Next: March 1, 2027.
How to apply
Application form, a narrative of five pages or less, board list, budgets, tax exemption letter and latest annual report or audit, by email.
No website; everything here comes from its 2024 tax filing. A small foundation whose conservation grants go to western working-lands and land trust groups.
Typical grant
Six grants in 2024. Conservation examples: Western Landowners Alliance $25,000, Colorado West Land Trust $10,000, Utah Open Lands $5,000.
Next deadline
None stated Filing only.
How to apply
Request the grant application form from the board of directors, c/o Johnson Financial Group, 1144 15th Street, Suite 3950, Denver, CO 80202 (per its filing).
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
The full version
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