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 9/01/2021)
LISTS UPDATED AS NEW INFO COMES OUT!
Recent Updates
- Colorado Arts Relief Fund is open! This fund provides $15.5 million for the second round of funding to support arts, cultural and entertainment artists, crew members, and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding through this bill will be distributed through two separate grant applications: Colorado Arts Relief—Business and Organization and Colorado Arts Relief—Individuals. Applications are open from August 23 – October 15.
- City of Fort Collins Recovery Plan Vision – The City is set to receive $28.1 million of the nearly $6 billion American Rescue Plan Act funds. To guide this spending, the City is developing a Fort Collins Recovery Plan. They want to hear from you! What does a resilient, vibrant recovery for all residents and businesses look like? How can we get there? Share your ideas, thoughts, stories and hear others’ experiences and ideas HERE or Take a quick survey here.
- The Bohemian Fund – Bohemian Foundation announces a new grant making program
- The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is has many current grants to apply for funding, relief funding or project funding.
- Art-Train brings together artists and creatives with municipalities, agencies, and organizations to create culture-based collaborations. With separate tracks for artists and agencies, Art-Train helps you use American Rescue Plan and American Jobs Plan funding to support locally-rooted, culture-based collaborations.
- 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.
- COVID-19 tests for yourself or your employees? Find the testing closest to you
- COVID-19 vaccinations Get the latest info on vaccinations HERE
GRANT DEADLINES COMING UP!
- The Bohemian Fund – Bohemian Foundation announces a new grant making program open starting August
- HARPO FOUNDATION GRANT The purpose of this program is to assist tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in supporting new work by under-recognized visual artists age 21 and older. Funding may be used for projects that directly support the production of new work by artists and/or collaborative teams in the context of installations, public interventions, residencies, or exhibitions. Applicants submitting successful letters of inquiry will be invited to submit full proposals.
- SHEILA FORTUNE GRANT The purpose of this program is to further the interests of abused or at-risk youths by providing them with opportunities to flourish and grow in their interest in performing arts, enabling them to take advantage of opportunities that would not otherwise be afforded to them. Program support is available for nonprofit organizations that develop and administer projects that promote the interests and abilities of abused or at-risk youths in the arts. At-risk is roughly defined for this program as youth who are facing the challenges of poverty, juvenile delinquency, parental substance abuse, and negligence. Program funding is available for arts projects in areas including theater, dance, painting, music, film, and photography. Organizations should be familiar with at-risk youth and provide the youths with a stabilized setting. Program funding may be used for supplies, personnel, food, utilities, rental, or scholarships. Eligibility for this program is limited to projects in the states of Colorado, Indiana, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania.
- See Recent Updates Section for more!
American Rescue Plan and CARES Act
- SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Small Business Administration’s COVID RELIEF RESOURCES & CARES ACT LOANS/GRANTS
- Larimer Small Business Development Center – Get FREE local help with EIDL or PPP Loans from the Larimer SBDC
- FUNDING:
- Shuttered Venues Grant – This special grant has funds up to 10 million dollars for shuttered venues and cultural institutions. Businesses can receive this grant if also applying of PPP funds, but PPP loan must be approved prior. Venues are recommended to read through FAQs, use this checklist to prep in advance and once opened apply through the SBA. For help: Watch the SBA informational webinar to highlight the application process for potential eligible entities, Watch webinar video HERE! And if you need more hands on help reach to the SBA regional office in Denver.
- PPP loans program is closed! Get details at: Payroll Protection Program
- LEGAL & HELP:
- CARES Act LOAN APPLICATION ASSISTANCE PROJECT – a no-cost lawyer match program for Colorado Nonprofit Association members providing a resource for much-needed support navigating the federal relief and response funding. (eligibility, what information you will need to complete your application, simplify requirements, clarify language, and offer other things to consider as you apply.) Learn more and get connected with a volunteer lawyer.
- Small Business Administration 24/7 Help Line: 1-800-659-2955
LOCAL RESOURCES & GRANTS
- LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Larimer SBDC (Free one on one professional help)
- NOCO RECOVERS – A one stop shop for COVID-19 recovery resources for the business community in Northern Colorado.
- ForFortCollins.com – website designed for businesses and citizens with ways to promote shopping locally with marketing asset generator, connections and resources
- FUNDING:
- Community Event Fund – Bohemian Foundation (rolling deadline)
- The Bohemian Fund – Bohemian Foundation announces a new grant making program (This replaces Bohemian’s Pharos and Muse grants)
- NoCo Music Event Fund – Apply for a grant for your event through Bohemian Foundation
- TOOLS, SUPPLIES & NETWORKING:
- Register for the Larimer County & CSU’s FREE Pivot Program! Learn how to reshape and pivot your business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more and register for the next cohort here
- Fort Collins Online Marketplace – Sell your art or experiences on Fort Collins Marketplace! Run by Visit Fort Collins to support small businesses
- 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
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 through COVID-19
- CBCA: Colorado Business Committee for the Arts has many resources for artists, arts nonprofits, as well as, the business community in general.
- Colorado Nonprofit Association COVID-19 Updates & Resources
- FUNDING & LEGAL:
- Take Note Colorado, a responsive, competitive opportunity for individuals and organizations statewide to offer highly inclusive, culturally relevant and student-centered music instruction. Individuals and organizations can apply for up to $10,000 to develop programming that meets Take Note’s goals
- Pro Bono Attorneys services for Colorado businesses affected by COVID www.coloradocovidrelief.org
- The State of Colorado‘s Help Colorado Now website offers emergency funding and a range of in-kind services as well as volunteer opportunities for individuals, businesses and nonprofits.
- TOOLS & SERVICES:
- CAM Creative Corps – helps non-profit arts and cultural organizations pivot to online programming and remote learning opportunities, students to help you get up to speed on social media and technology!
- CBCA’s “Arts Through It All” marketing campaign toolkit
- 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
- Tips for Avoiding Scams Related to COVID-19 compiled by the Colorado Virtual Library
- 2020 Colorado Creative Economy Report Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) released this study of the Creative Economy in, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NATIONAL RESOURCES & GRANTS
- NATIONAL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS:
- Americans for the Arts has a list of national resources and updates and a page dedicated to the CARES Act
- 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.
- FUNDING/INFORMATION:
- The Foundation Center and Guidestar have set up a resource-rich Funding for coronavirus (COVID-19) page
- WESTAF’s COVID-19 Resources & Information page
- Relief Grants for Latinx arts organizations, artists, and cultural workers! Offered by The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) (et. al): Actos de Confianza: Relief Grants – FY 2021
- See Recent Updates Section
- TOOLS & EDUCATION:
- Community Resource Center: COVID-19 Response Resources with non profit training, funding options and more
- Nonprofit Finance Fund (tools and resources)
- FREE webinars and classes from GrantSpace — Find trainings and special events to build your skills and broaden your network.
- FREE Nonprofit Training Videos from Candid’s GrantSpace on demand video trainings
