Denver Economic Development & Opportunity’s division of Neighborhood Equity & Stabilization (NEST), in partnership with the Denver Foundation, is offering mini grants ranging from $500-$10,000 to support the meaningful and necessary work of nonprofit organizations, community groups, and micro businesses in some of Denver's most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Funding is available for small, community-driven projects designed to strengthen community, create a stronger and more connected neighborhood, and address community needs.
The Community Support Mini Grants program seeks to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and performance of micro businesses, nonprofits and community groups currently active in the NEST priority neighborhoods of: Athmar Park, Barnum, Barnum West, Clayton, College View, East Colfax, Elyria Swansea, Globeville, Kennedy, Lincoln Park, Mar Lee, Montbello, Ruby Hill, Sun Valley, Valverde, Villa Park, Westwood, and Windsor.
The Community Support Mini Grants program prioritizes projects and/or activities that will create a stronger and more connected neighborhood, address community needs, and/or strengthen navigation to service delivery, including:
Bolstering Social Development
Integration and inclusion of all people in a community to engage, develop support structures to build trust, develop networks to reduce social isolation, foster a culturally rich neighborhood, and build on existing neighborhood assets.
Supporting Resident Life
Increasing equity for communities over multiple generations by improving access to education, health, housing, and workforce development that will foster greater economic mobility and access to wealth and income.
Increasing Group Capacity
Building a group’s capacity to enhance its service and responsiveness to its community. This could include audience, board and/or leadership development; planning activities, strategic partnerships and planning, navigation to health care, virtual education services, government services, and support in developing worker-owned cooperatives.