Community-led projects are some of the most powerful tools we have to engage Denverites in climate action. We’re offering up to $50,000 in upfront funding to help neighborhood groups and community-based organizations co-create and implement climate, sustainability, and resiliency projects.
We are prioritizing projects that:
- Create spaces for Denverites to connect and work toward shared climate goals
- Implement solutions that reflect community priorities and align with the city’s climate goals
- Promote sustainable behavior changes, such as:
- Reducing home energy and water use
- Increasing renewable energy adoption
- Promoting sustainable transportation options
Applications are now open. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will close the application when all funding is exhausted.
Start Your Application
Office Hours and Information Sessions
We know that applying for this much money can be intimidating. We are hosting four in-person open office hour sessions and an online info session to help you brainstorm ideas for your project and complete your application:
All in-person sessions take place from 5:00-7:00 P.M. Spanish-speaking staff members will be available if you are more comfortable using Spanish for conversation and your application. Interpreters for other languages are available by request - please email taylor.moellers@denvergov.org with at least three days' notice to request interpretation services.
Application Materials
To help you get through the application process, please make sure to have this information ready:
- Contact Information (name, email, phone number)
- Organization Information (name, physical address, phone number)
- A copy of this year's W9 (the address on the W9 must match the address filed with the Secretary of State)
- A copy of your Certificate of Good Standing
This program has eligibility requirements for both the applicant organizations and the projects they plan to pursue.
Organizational Eligibility
To apply for this funding opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:
Project Eligibility
To be eligible for funds, projects must:
- Take place within the City and County of Denver.
- Involve community members in creating and completing the project.
- Be open to all members of the public.
- Align with one or more of the Climate Protection Fund Allowable Uses:
- Green Jobs: Training people for jobs in clean energy and transportation.
- Clean Energy: Investing in solar power, renewable energy, and battery storage.
- Environmental Justice: Supporting neighborhood-based climate and environmental justice programs.
- Adaptation and Resiliency: Helping communities get ready for the effects of climate change.
- Sustainable Transportation: Offering clean, safe, and affordable ways to travel. This includes walking, biking, buses, electric cars, and local transit.
- Better Buildings: Making Denver’s buildings energy-efficient, safe, and comfortable.
- Be completed by December 31, 2026. This includes spending funds and submitting a post-project evaluation survey or report.
- Return post-project evaluations within 4 weeks of project completion.
Applicants must select one award tier at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated within the selected tier. The city reserves the right to allocate funds across tiers in a manner that best meets program goals and available resources.
Tier 1: Community Partnership and Pilot Projects
- Award Amount: Up to $25,000 (minimum award of $10,000)
- Number of Awards: Up to 10 awards in 2026
Tier 1 is intended for smaller-scale projects that aim to build or strengthen community partnerships, conduct outreach or planning activities, or launch pilot initiatives. Projects may be early-stage but must demonstrate a clear implementation plan, defined outcomes, and a strategy for community engagement.
Tier 2: Scalable and Implementation-Ready Projects
- Award Amount: Up to $50,000
- Number of Awards: Up to 2 awards in 2026
Tier 2 is intended for larger-scale projects that have been developed with meaningful community input and demonstrate readiness for implementation and/or the potential to scale. Projects should provide evidence of prior planning, partnerships, and organizational capacity to manage a larger award amount.
Scaled-Down Proposal Option (Encouraged): Applicants to Tier 2 are strongly encouraged to include an optional scaled-down project scope and budget (up to $25,000) that could be implemented under Tier 1 funding levels. This will allow high-quality Tier 2 proposals to be considered for Tier 1 funding if Tier 2 funds are fully allocated.
Tier Reconsideration and Funding Flexibility: If Tier 2 funds are exhausted, the city reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to consider Tier 2 applications for funding at the Tier 1 award level. The grantor may request a revised scope of work and budget prior to making a Tier 1 award. The grantor also reserves the right to partially fund proposals, negotiate project scope, or adjust award amounts based on available funds and program priorities.
Examples of eligible projects can include:
- Community engagement workshop series on topics like alternative transportation, all-electric living, and heat-resilience
- Community-led design and installation of resiliency-focused beautification projects
- Adaptation capacity building, including volunteer tree-care teams and neighborhood planning for extreme weather events
- Climate action circles to discuss energy, transportation, and resilience strategies
- Support for culturally relevant, sustainable gardening with resources like garden-in-a-box kits for food production, pollinator habitat, and water-saving landscaping
- Rule-making and civic engagement training for members of disproportionately impacted (DI) communities, such as civics navigation resources, sharing your story of self
- City funds cannot be used for direct lobbying or legal services
- Mentorship programs to connect youth and elders to resources