Below is a list of frequently asked questions pertaining to Aspen Community Foundation's discretionary grantmaking procedures.  Please also refer to our Grantmaking Guidelines for more information.

Who is eligible for a grant?
We welcome grant proposals from tax exempt organizations that benefit communities from Aspen to Parachute, CO. Included in our service area are Pitkin and Garfield counties and portions of Eagle County in the Roaring Fork Valley. If you have any question about area eligibility please contact us at 970.925.9300.

I'm not a nonprofit organization; I'm just a person who needs some extra help. Can I apply for a grant?
The Foundation makes grants to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. We are unable to award grants to individuals, except in the case of scholarships, which are awarded directly to the educational institution on behalf of the student. If you are a student, please go to our scholarships page.

If you need help with rent, food, medical, or other basic necessities, please contact Western Colorado 2-1-1 for information on resources available in our community.  Dial 2-1-1 on your telephone or visit www.wc211.mesacounty.us.

Does my organization need a 501 (c)(3) from the IRS before I can apply for funds? Your organization or your fiscal agent must have a 501(c) (3) designation or be a public educational institution or be a government agency.  The Community Foundation does not generally support organizations primarily supported by tax-derived funding unless funding supports a new program that is outside of the organization’s operating budget.

What is a 501(c)(3) designation? How can I get one? 501(c)(3) refers to the specific section of the Internal Revenue Code that defines a nonprofit organization. For more information on the Code and how to obtain a 501(c)(3) designation, contact the Internal Revenue Service.

Does ACF fund local offices, chapters or affiliates of national organizations?
Yes.  Examples of national organizations receiving funding in recent years are Catholic Charities and Planned Parenthood.

Does my organization have to be located in your service area?
No. However, the project must enhance the quality of life in communities from Aspen to Parachute, CO.

Does ACF only fund large organizations…or only small organizations?
There is not a “right” size organization.  Aspen Community Foundation funds organizations of all sizes, budgets, and reaches.  An organization’s capacity to raise funds does factor into our decision.

Does ACF fund classrooms in the Aspen, RE-1, RE-2, and RE-16 School Districts?
Aspen Community Foundation works with the superintendants of each school district to prioritize and request funds for programming in the schools.  If you would like funding for your classroom, please contact your superintendant.

Does the Foundation fund faith-based organizations?
The Foundation does fund faith-based organizations but does not fund projects of a religious nature or projects that require participation in a religious activity as a condition for receiving services.

We are not a 501(c)(3) organization, may we use a fiscal agent to apply for funding? Yes.

Do you fund new organizations?
Yes, as long as you have the 501(c)(3) designation and comply with all of our grant requirements.

What is the process for applying for a grant from Aspen Community Foundation?
To initiate a request to ACF, go online to aspencommunityfoundation.org/qualifyingapplication to complete the first step of our online grant application.  Once you submit your qualifying application, ACF program staff will review your request and contact you with next steps within four weeks.

We may request a meeting with your Executive Director and Board Chair to learn more about your organization and services you are currently providing.  If we invite you to submit a full application for funding, we will ask you to log back into aspencommunityfoundation.org/myapplications and fill out the full online application.

Does the Foundation have submission deadlines for grants?
No.  You may initiate a request at any time by completing our online qualifying application.  We recommend that you come to us for funding before the start or at the beginning of your fiscal year or project since our guidelines prohibit the use of funds for projects which have been completed prior to allocations decisions, deficits, or retirement of debt or endowments.

Can I meet with a program officer in person before submitting a grant? 
Due to the volume of requests it is not possible for staff to meet individually with each organization prior to submitting a qualifying application.  Staff reviews submitted qualifying applications every four weeks and requests are assigned to a program officer to review.  At this time we may contact you to setup a meeting with your Executive Director and Board Chair.

If I know members of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, staff or a donor, does it increase the likelihood that my proposal will be funded if I contact them?
No.  The ACF Board requests that individual members not be lobbied.

How are grant applicants notified if they were awarded a grant?
All applicants submitting an application for funding will receive a letter within 12 weeks with the final status of their application including a grant agreement to be signed if they have been awarded a grant.

Will I need to submit reports?
Yes.  Staff will communicate reporting requirements at the appropriate time.

What size grants does ACF generally make?  How much money should I request?
ACF generally grants amounts in the range of $5,000 - $50,000.  ACF asks that you request the amount you need for the specific program or project for which you want funding.  If you are requesting a grant for technical assistance and strategic planning, you may request less than $5,000.  If you are requesting funds for a large project, you may need to request $50,000 or more.

If my organization has received grants in the past, are there limitations to how many years we can receive grants?
No.  However, past funding does not guarantee future grants.

Does the Foundation make multi-year grants?
Yes.  Please complete our Qualifying Application and indicate if you would like to request a multi-year grant.

What sort of programs does the Foundation's Competitive Grant Program support?
Please see our Annual Report for examples of organizations who have received support from Aspen Community Foundation’s unrestricted and field of interest funds.

How often may I apply for a grant and how many applications can I submit?
Only one request per twelve month period can be submitted for consideration from our discretionary grantmaking so that we can help as many nonprofit organizations as possible.

Who decides which applications are awarded grants?
Aspen Community Foundation staff reviews each request in a thorough, thoughtful process.  After your organization submits a full application for funding, staff reviews your request in the context of our grantmaking guidelines, priorities and available funding before presenting a recommendation to our Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors makes the final decision on all requests for funding.

What happens if my budget changes?
If your budget changes during the consideration of your proposal or after a grant is awarded, contact Program Staff who will discuss the changes with you and advise you on how to proceed.