This is a flexible, low barrier grants program that aims to strengthen community partnership and build leadership capacity for organizations that are leading work towards Our Climate Future (OCF) goals.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

• Low-barrier program. To provide flexibility and ease for recipients, there will be no formal application process, but a grant agreement will be used.  
• Flexible timelines. Individual project timelines will be agreed upon between staff and the organization (different for each project). 
• Focus on small organizations. Significant support of organizations that are smaller and more grassroots in nature, especially those that are led by and serving historically underserved/excluded communities. 
• Curated: Staff will seek out groups to fund that have equity, inclusion, and climate resilience at the center of their organizational goals that have a direct connection to Big Move 1 – shared leadership, capacity building, community partnership. This means there is not a traditional, competitive application process!
• Funding: Awardees may be funded for up to $10,000 (based on the determined financial needs of the proposed project).

To be eligible to receive funds through this program, an applicant must demonstrate a commitment to climate equity in Fort Collins, and explain how their work will advance OCF Big Move 1: Shared Leadership and Community Partnership. Organizations must be located in Northern Colorado and work in Fort Collins. Projects such as one-time events or fundraising events will not be funded. Additional criteria are listed in the Criteria tab.

To be considered for funding, organizations MUST: 

1.Commitment to climate equity

• Partner group/organization has an articulated and demonstrated commitment to: recognizing and addressing the burdens underserved groups experience that are made worse by climate change, while ensuring that people of all identities share the benefits of climate protection efforts.
• Grantees must demonstrate how their programs are connected to and serve the Fort Collins community, focusing on those listed below*.

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*Communities identified in OCF as underrepresented in climate action and local government (though not limited to):   

• People/groups who have experienced systemic and institutional discrimination or marginalization 

• Community members under age 29  
• Veterans  
• People experiencing homelessness  
• People living in manufactured homes  
• Commuter communities  

• Low-income communities  
• Small businesses 

2. Advance OCF Big Move 1: Shared Leadership and Community Partnership

• Grant proposal demonstrates methods that advance opportunities and builds capacity* for groups/organizations to lead and partner with community(members)to achieve OCF goals and objectives. Preference will be shown for innovative, people-centered approaches that advance climate equity.
• Directly advance leadership in underserved groups. Example: The organization is taking steps to prepare, guide leaders so that their advocacy is no longer needed and leaders will have skills to advocate for themselves.

3. Advance at least one additional Big Move

• Grant proposal addresses how the work relates to and furthers one or more Big Moves, in addition to Big Move .

4. Grantee must demonstrate how grant funding will contribute to long-term benefits and/or ongoing efforts to grow the leadership capacity of groups that may include equity-centered learning alongside city staff. Example: Grantee will work with staff to develop a plan for ongoing efforts for growth in the equity learning space within communities they serve.

5. Grantee will provide proof of good financial standing from State of CO

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*Definition:

Capacity building for climate equity - is the process of strengthening the skills, knowledge and resources of underserved groups to help them adapt to climate change and implement projects. Example: "An organization applies for and attains 501(c)(3) status and then can apply for grant funding to scale their activities and impact".

Projects will be more strongly considered if they include the following:

• Groups looking to invest in capacity building to lead towards the 13 Big Moves of Our Climate Future.
  • This small grant program is intended to help fund community organizations and businesses advancing their local climate leadership, based on the City of Fort Collins’ commitment to Shared Leadership and Community Partnership of Our Climate Future (OCF Big Move 1).  
• Organizations that are not already receiving significant/consistent funding from public or private sources.
  •  By using a low-barrier, curated grant-making approach the intention of the program is to fill a funding gap for groups that may have less capacity to access capital through more traditional, competitive grant processes.  
• Projects that include diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
  • This equitable grant-making program is intended to invest in climate leadership for historically marginalized parts of the community. The City is seeking to fund groups that are building capacity and raising awareness about existing leadership by underrepresented organizations. 
• Projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to climate resilience strategies.
  • This funding is meant to amplify community partnership and shared leadership by demonstrating that climate resilience and community resilience go hand-in-hand. Therefore this funding will lean towards innovative projects and away from projects that are more technical in nature.  
• Groups that are willing to build and maintain a trusting relationship.
  • This program will have monthly check-ins with progress meetings to discuss ways that funding is directly benefiting shared leadership and community partnership oriented projects. Since this program is in its pilot year, these projects are pivotal in understanding how the City can best meet community needs.