ARTS & CULTURAL NONPROFITS
Please note that the inclusion of these links and sources does not constitute an endorsement by the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District. (updated June 2025)
RECENT UPDATES
- America 250/Colorado 150 – Be part of the big celebration! Get your event listed and check out grants and more details!
- Arts for All 2030 plan – Read all about the Colorado Creative Industries strategic plan
- The Multicultural Business & Entrepreneurship Center offers business consulting and city system navigation, FREE and open to all.
- Starting A Business? Connect with the Larimer Small Business Development Center and check out the Colorado Business Resource Book for helpful tips!
- The Bohemian Fund – Bohemian Foundation grant making program to support community programs and events
- City of Fort Collins Fort Fund Grant
- Colorado’s CLIMBER small business loan fund: These are below market rate loans with favorable terms for small businesses with 5-99 employees. CLIMBER loans are available to non-profit businesses along with for-profit and sole proprietorships. Special consideration is given to small businesses located in rural, distressed, and underserved areas, including communities with low to moderate incomes. For full details and eligibility visit their website.
LOCAL RESOURCES & GRANTS
- LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- City of Fort Collins Business Support and Roadmaps – for information on Fort Collins licenses, compliance, registration and helpful business organizations
- Downtown Fort Collins – Downtown Development Authority helps you get plugged into Downtown promotions and information
- ForFortCollins.com – website designed for businesses/residents with ways to promote shopping locally with marketing asset generator, connections and resources
- Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce – A member-0based business service organization providing networking, conferences, workshops, leadership courses and business advocacy.
- Larimer SBDC – Free one-on-one professional business advising, special creative industry professionals and workshops, and online classes, business resources and tools
- Multicultural Business and Entrepreneur Center – The MBEC is a free bilingual (English & Spanish) center that provides business owners and entrepreneurs easy access to business service providers, resources, mentorship and specialty training. Open to all, the MBEC advisors work one-on-one support helping connect clients to critical resources to create, launch and grow a business.
- FUNDING:
- Community Event Fund – Bohemian Foundation (rolling deadline, to be discontinued in 2026)
- The Bohemian Fund – Bohemian Foundation grant making program
- City of Fort Collins Fort Fund Grant – Special Event Fund opens April 3rd
- NoCo Music Event Fund – Apply for a grant for your event through Bohemian Foundation
- Larimer Small Business Development Center can help you with alternative funding, preparing for bank loans or building a fundraising plan.
- TOOLS, SUPPLIES & NETWORKING:
- Tax Guide for Artists! The Larimer Small Business Development Center has a helpful tool for artists and their taxes.
- CREATIVE TOOLS AND TIPS – Watch video tutorials about e-commerce, online marketing, video production from home and much more!
- Fort Collins Nonprofit Networking Facebook Group sharing best practices, tips and place to ask questions
- Resources for arts equity, artists advocacy, inclusion for underrepresented groups, tools for tough discussions –– See this resource sheet from our Creative After Hours in conjunction with Larimer SBDC and Full Expression!
- Host a CSU Student with a Micro-Internship! For short-term projects that are paid (Form 1099) and can be completed by a college student with minimal instruction. Connect with CSU students.
STATE RESOURCES & GRANTS
- COLORADO BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Colorado Creative Industries has arts grants, programs, the latest statewide resources and ways people can support the arts
- CBCA: Colorado Business Committee for the Arts has many resources for artists, arts nonprofits, and the business community in general
- Colorado Nonprofit Association Updates & Resources
- FUNDING:
- Art-Train brings together artists and creatives with municipalities, agencies, and organizations to create culture-based collaborations.
- Colorado’s CLIMBER small business loan fund! Below market rate loans with favorable terms for small businesses with 5-99 employees. CLIMBER loans are available to non-profit businesses along with for-profit and sole proprietorships.
- Alternative Colorado lenders: Accion and B:Side Capital, Colorado Microloans, Kiva Loans, and Colorado Credit Reserve are for people who are underserved by traditional debt markets
- Community Resource Center: Colorado Grants Guide with non profit training, funding options and more
- TOOLS & SERVICES:
- CAM Creative Corps – helps non-profit arts and cultural organizations pivot to online programming and remote learning opportunities, students help you get up to speed on social media and technology!
- The Colorado Nonprofit Association offers educational opportunities for nonprofit professionals virtually via Zoom. Each session will be 90 minutes or less and will be no cost to participants. See their event calendar for online learning and virtual connectedness
NATIONAL RESOURCES & GRANTS
- NATIONAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Americans for the Arts
- The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative – Lots of resources for museums, libraries, artists, non profits and historic properties
- FREE Candid (a resource offered by the Poudre River Public Library District) is here to help, with a library of free on-demand resources, including: a library of more than 260 titles available as e-books and audiobooks, Knowledge Base Articles, answering nonprofit professionals’ FAQs, and more than 150 free videos, many of which qualify for CFRE credits.
- United States Small Business Administration (SBA)
- LEGAL & BUSINESS HELP: Small Business Administration 24/7 Help Line: 1-800-659-2955
- FUNDING/INFORMATION:
- The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has many grants and resources to help with artist relief and arts programs.
- WESTAF Resources & Information
- Grants for Latinx arts organizations, artists, and cultural workers! Offered by The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC)
- TOOLS & EDUCATION:
- Nonprofit Finance Fund (tools and resources)
- FREE webinars and classes from Candid — Find trainings and special events to build your skills and broaden your network.
