Colorado Creates Grant is sponsored by Colorado Creative Industries. General operating support for arts-focused organizations presenting public programming and creative activities throughout Colorado.

The purpose of Colorado Creates, Creative Industries’ largest annual competitive grant program, is to support arts programs, services, and activities associated with carrying out the National Endowment of the Arts strategic plan. From this funding, OEDIT has developed the Colorado Creates Grant, which provides general operating support for arts-focused organizations for the presentation of public programming.

Grant awards are flat amounts based on your organization’s cash operating revenue for your most recently completed fiscal year. All successful applicants in the same revenue range will receive the same amount of grant funds. * If your cash operating revenue in your most recently completed fiscal year was $1 million or more, **you request $14,000**.

* If your cash operating revenue in your most recently completed fiscal year was $600,000 to $999,999, **you request $12,000**. * If your cash operating revenue in your most recently completed fiscal year was $300,000 to $599,999,**you request $10,000**. * If your cash operating revenue in your most recently completed fiscal year was $100,000 to $299,999, **you request $8,000.

** * If your cash operating revenue in your most recently completed fiscal year was $25,000 to $99,999, **you request $6,000**. Colorado Creates Grant 2025 (fiscal year 2026) application has closed and will reopen in 2026. All applications are submitted through the OEDIT Grant Portal(opens in new window).

Applicants should thoroughly review the Colorado Creates Guidelines (Google Docs)(opens in new window) for complete program and application information. ### Info Sessions and Office Hours There are numerous ways to connect with CCI staff during the application period. #### Virtual Info Session on Zoom * Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 10 a.

m. (opens in new window) #### Virtual Office Hours * Tuesday, March 24, 2-4 p. m.

(opens in new window) * Tuesday, April 14, 12-1 p. m. (opens in new window) * Thursday, April 23, 10-11 a.

m. (opens in new window) #### In-person Info Sessions * Thursday, March 12, 1-2 p. m.

, at The Arts Campus at Willits, 400 Robinson St, Basalt, CO 81621 * Wednesday, March 25, 4-5pm, at the Council Chambers in City Hall, 300 Hunt Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101 * Thursday, March 26, 11 a. m. -12 p.

m. , at the Liminal Space Gallery & Pueblo Arts Alliance Office, 101 S. Grand Ave.

Pueblo, CO 81003 * Thursday, April 2, 4-5 p. m. , at the MCC Center for Arts and Community Enrichment (CACE), 300 Main St, Fort Morgan, CO 80701 **Image description:** Business testimonial highlighting that local communities love the Arts in Society Grant.

Quote from Valley Youth Orchestra Music Director, Laura Payne, says “The Colorado Creates grant has allowed us to expand our community connections, grow organizational capacity and provide resources to our young musicians that help them develop musicianship, leadership, creativity and a larger view of the world around them.

” Your organization needs to: * Be an arts-focused 501(c)(3) organization (review more information below) or an independent component of a program associated with a college, university, or unit of government (review more information below) * Hold your primary business location in Colorado. * Have supporting the arts as your organizational mission, including but not limited to visual, performing, literary, and media arts organizations.

* Have held public arts programs in Colorado for at least two years before the application deadline. * Have a cash operating budget of at least $25,000 for your last completed fiscal year. * Be registered in Good Standing with the Colorado Secretary of State and current with annual corporate reports and charitable solicitation registration.

* Organizations are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI or UEI SAM). A UEI reflects the organization's legal name and current physical address. See SAM.

gov(opens in new window) for more information about registering and renewing your entity. * Be current in reporting for other Colorado Creative Industries grants or programs. These organizations are not eligible: * Organizations managing a state certifiedColorado Creative District * Organizations are required to sit out for one year after their year(s) of Colorado Creates funding.

View your ineligibility status, (Google Doc)(opens in new window). * An organization whose primary purpose is to channel resources — financial, human, or other — to an affiliated organization may not apply if the affiliated organization submits an application, even if both organizations have their own 501(c)(3) status. For example, if the ABC Museum applies for the grant, Friends of ABC Museum may not also apply.

* Public and private K-12 schools and school districts are not eligible. * Applicants may not apply using a fiscal agent or sponsor. ### [](https://oedit.

colorado. gov/colorado-creates-grant)Arts-focused 501(c)(3) Organizations A qualified nonprofit organization has a stated and board-adopted mission specific to visual, performing, media, and literary arts.

Examples include art museums, ceramic studios, community arts councils, creative writing programs, dance organizations, film festivals, music festivals, opera societies, orchestras and choral societies, photographic studios, quilting and fiber arts organizations, theatre groups, tribal cultural organizations, and visual arts centers.

Organizations that have other goals but include some arts programming are not eligible, unless they program and/or present proportionally-significant artistic or cultural programming in an area, or to a specific community with limited access. Mixed-use organizations must contact CCI well in advance of the grant deadline if they wish to be cleared to apply.

Generally, history museums, botanic gardens, preservation organizations, economic development and planning agencies, and therapeutic and social service agencies are not eligible, even if they have 501(c)(3) status. ### [](https://oedit. colorado.

gov/colorado-creates-grant)Independent Components An independent component is a program of an organization, college/university, or a unit of government that is both programmatically and administratively distinct from its parent organization. If your organization falls into this category, contact Emma Acheson at Emma. Acheson@state.

co. us. To qualify as an independent component, your organization needs to: * Have a community-based independent board or advisory committee with substantial responsibility for oversight and management.

* Have a distinctive and separate mission from the parent organization. * Have staff and volunteers explicitly for the independent component’s programs. * Have a budget separate from the parent organization, producing a distinct set of financials as a part of the grant application.

* Provide programs or services open to the public. * If affiliated with a university or college, document that the programs/services/activities serve 50% or more non-student or faculty audiences. These do not qualify as independent components: * Academic departments or schools of colleges and universities.

* Programs or projects of organizations, for example, “friends of” groups sponsored by the organization that are programs or fundraising bodies, not independent components. * General city or county governments. For example, a university academic program that primarily serves students, offers a major or minor, and has little external funding is not eligible for the Colorado Creates Grant.

However, if the university has an art museum, the art museum is eligible for the grant if the museum serves the public, possesses organizational permanency, has programmatic autonomy, is managed by staff explicitly for the museum, is fiscally independent of other academic units, and has its own advisory board. This grant is for general operating support for the presentation of public programming.

The grant period is from the date of your award letter or the execution date of your grant agreement to June 30, 2027. Grantees will receive payment as a reimbursement after completing their final report, which is due between the July after their period of performance ends. Part of the administrative costs directly associated with the proposed operations is allowed.

Allowable operations and facilities expenses include: * Facilities rent (home base of operations, not special program expenses) Funds cannot be used for: * Purchase of major equipment * Debt and deficit reduction * Re-granting of grant funds * **Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026 at 8 a. m.

:** Online application opens on the OEDIT grant portal(opens in new window) * **March 10, 2026 at 10 a. m. :**Zoom information session with CCI staff registration(opens in new window) * **Tuesday, March 24, 2-4 p.

m. :**March 24 CCI staff office hours registration(opens in new window) * **Tuesday, April 14, 12-1 p. m.

:**April 14 CCI staff office hours registration(opens in new window) * **Thursday, April 23, 10-11 a. m. :**April 23 CCI staff office hours registration(opens in new window) * **Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 4 p.

m. :**Applications are due on the OEDIT grant portal * **May to June 2026:** Review panels evaluate applications * **July 2026:** CCI Advisory Council reviews recommendations * **Aug. 2026:** Applicants notified of award or declination * **Aug.

-Oct. 2026:** Procurement and contracting with grantees * **Award or Purchase Order date to June 30, 2027:** Period of performance * **July 20, 2027 at 4 p. m.

:** Final report for FY27 grantees due on the OEDIT grant portal > *Please Note: For current Colorado Creates 2025 (FY26) Grantees, final reports are due by July 21, 2026 4 p. m. Grantees will receive detailed report instructions in Spring 2026.

Applications must be submitted online by 4 p. m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

No exceptions will be made for late submissions. You can serve as the lead applicant for only one application. A fiscal agent like a bank or lender cannot submit the application on your behalf.

**New users will need to register for an account on the****OEDIT Grant Portal**(opens in new window). All users are required to log into the portal and complete the online application. All support materials are uploaded into the online system.

No hard copies or emailed copies of the application or support materials will be accepted unless there are reasonable accessibility concerns. We recommend that applicants register in the portal and review the online grant system with plenty of time before the deadline to allow staff proper time to assist with any questions or issues. Review the Colorado Creates Guidelines (Google Doc)(opens in new window) for more details.

For additional help on using the online grant system, contact Katy Zeigler (she/they) at Kathryn. Zeigler@state. co.

us or 720-910-2241. The application process is: 1. Verify your eligibility.

If you have questions, reach out to the program manager before you start the application. 2. Review the Colorado Creates Guidelines (Google Doc)(opens in new window) thoroughly.

3. Register for a UEI number(opens in new window). 4.

Register for the OEDIT Grant Portal(opens in new window). OEDIT grant portal instructions are included in the guidelines. 5.

Apply for the grant through the OEDIT Grant portal(opens in new window). OEDIT grant portal instructions are included in the program guidelines. ### Application Materials Application materials consist of: ### **Narrative Questions** Each narrative question in the online application allows up to 2,275 characters (about 350 words).

You should prepare answers to the narrative questions in a word processing or notepad document, check the character count and then cut-and-paste into the online application. This way you will not unexpectedly lose any work due to technical issues.

Narrative questions are grouped into three categories: * Artistic excellence and merit * Community involvement and impact * Implementation capacity #### **Artist excellence and merit (40%)** 1. **Goals**: Describe the organization's current goals (how you will specifically achieve the organization's mission). 2.

**Current Programs**: Describe the organization's current programs. Include population, demographics, and numbers served. 3.

**Artistic Excellence and Merit**: a) Discuss how your organization commits to high artistic, educational, and/or cultural standards including qualifications of key leaders and involvement and selection of artists and culture bearers. b) Are involved artists and collaborators compensated equitably? #### **Community involvement and impact (40%)** 1.

**Community Engagement and Access:** 1. Describe the intended communities and participants served by your organization, and how they will benefit from your programming. 2.

Discuss how the organization engages individuals whose opportunities to experience the arts have been limited by factors such as their geography, economic status, and/or disability. 3. How are you measuring and addressing your engagement with these communities in your strategic planning or otherwise?

2. **Collaboration:** Describe one or two specific, impactful, and preferably measurable collaborations or cooperative efforts with other organizations or community members. #### **Implementation capacity (20%)** 1.

**Planning and Structure:** 1. Describe how the organization engages in planning including challenges and opportunities expected in the next three years. 2.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the board? 3. Please explain any major leadership or staff changes in the last year, and whether they were planned or unexpected and how internal controls are implemented.

2. **Evaluation and Outcomes:** 1. Describe one or two specific measures (data or information collected) by which the organization evaluates its program and operations and measures its impact on the community you serve.

2. Were the desired outcomes achieved? Summarize key evaluation results that demonstrate the organization’s progress toward its goals or desired impact.

3. **Fiscal Management:** 1. Has your financial or grant management system changed in the last year?

If so, please describe the changes. 2. Explain how your organization tracks funding sources separately.

1. How did you arrive at your budget estimates? (explain any line items that are questionable or unclear).

2. If your organizational financials show large increases or decreases in line items, please explain. 3.

If you ended your most recent fiscal year with a deficit, describe the organization’s plan to eliminate the deficit and reach fiscal stability. Your organization’s fiscal year is your organization’s budget year and usually starts at the beginning of a quarter or calendar year. Current year financials should be projections to the end of the current fiscal year, not financials year-to-date.

* Allowable file types: . PDF, . docx, .

jpeg, . mp4, . mov, .

mp3, . WAV, . xlsx * The file size limit is 4 GB.

Files less than 2GB will experience less issues uploading. You will need to provide: * **Required**: Income statement (with a line item for cash operating revenues) for the most recent fiscal year. The grant amount will be based on your cash operating revenue for your last completed fiscal year.

* **Required**: Current fiscal year budget projections. * Independent Financial Audit and Findings: Upload only required if your organization received over $1 million in federal funds in the last two years. ### Organization Materials and Artistic Work Samples Allowable file types: .

PDF, . docx, . jpeg, .

mp4, . mov, . mp3, .

WAV, . xlsx The file size limit is 4 GB. Files less than 2GB will experience less issues uploading.

You will need to include these support materials: * **Required:**Newly generated Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State(opens in new window) signed in 20263 or within 365 days of the application deadline. Please do not upload a Certificate of Registration or a screenshot of the summary. * Colorado Creates Procurement Policy Template(opens in new window) provided on our manage your award page if needed.

* Colorado Creates Conflict of Interest Policy Template(opens in new window) provided on our manage your award page if needed. * At least one artistic work sample attachment. * Up to five additional artistic work samples – reference each support item in the narrative so the panel understands why you included it.

You will also include additional materials depending on your discipline. Choose items that show artistic excellence/merit, community benefit, and implementation capacity. Reference each support item in the narrative so the panel can understand why you included it.

Quality is more important than quantity. Requirements by discipline are: * **Performing arts:** provide at least one audio or video sample (up to three minutes) of performance. You may include photos to complement the samples, but do not substitute photos for live performance.

* **Visual arts or crafts:**provide, in one PDF, up to 20 images of artistic work. * **Literary:** provide, in one PDF, a sample cover or homepage, table of contents, and short excerpts from up to three print or online publications. * **Film and media:**provide audio, radio broadcasts, or video or media samples (up to three minutes).

Address your organization’s history of community involvement and the amount and quality of locally- or regionally-developed/produced content in your work. * **Multidisciplinary:**provide a balance of appropriate samples as described above – a variety of samples will help your application.

* **Service:** provide up to five examples of their services – can be in multiple formats and include agendas of workshops, instruction videos, bios of instructors, membership roster, or feedback from participants. ### Review Criteria and Process CCI staff reviews submitted applications for eligibility, completeness, and accuracy prior to them moving forward into the panel review process. This is a competitive grant program.

Not all eligible applications will receive funding. The following review criteria and weights are used by reviewers to evaluate and score applications. You can view the complete rubric for guidance.

* Artistic excellence and artistic merit (40%) * Community involvement and impact (40%) * Implementation capacity (20%) The review process incorporates peer specialists in a variety of artistic disciplines and sectors, such as education, nonprofit management, community development and business, who review and score the applications.

Applications are ranked by score, and funding recommendations are made based upon average score and available funds within regional panels. Panel recommendations are not final until approved by the Creative Industries Council. Applicants will be notified via email of the result of the funding recommendations.

In order to receive your funds, it is imperative that all costs defined in your report must be allowable, reasonable, and allocable in accordance with Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200. 402 through 2 CFR 200. 411 and meet the general provisions for selected items of cost as defined by 2 CFR 200.

420 through 2 CFR 200. 475; State Fiscal Rule 3-1 governs all state contracts and Fiscal Rule 2-2 governs all Commitment Vouchers. NO services or work can be started or performed without a signed Purchase Order or Contract per State fiscal and procurement rules if your grant award is more than $10,000.

#### $6,000-$10,000 Level Grants Procurement Process Grantees who receive funding in amounts in the $6,000 to $10,000 award range will be required to submit the following materials after receiving their award letter in order to start their work: * Voided check or signed bank letter for the account listed on the EFT form * Conflict of interest form with the State of Colorado Grantees will receive 50% of their award as an advance payment towards the beginning of their period of performance.

Grantees will receive their remaining 50% of their award after submitting the final report as a reimbursement. #### $12,000-$14,000 Level Grant Procurement Process Grantees who receive funding in amounts between $12,000 and $14,000 will be required to complete a formal grant agreement or purchase order (PO). After the award notification, grantees will be required to submit the following material.

Following submission of proper insurance certificates, an executed Purchase Order will be sent to the grantee. At that point eligible reimbursable expenses and activities outlined in the PO can begin: * Voided check or signed bank letter for the account listed on the EFT form. * Conflict of interest form with the State of Colorado.

* Certificates of Insurance: At minimum we will require the following * Workers’ Compensation Insurance as required by State Statute, and Employer’s Liability Insurance covering all of contractor’s or subcontractor employees acting within the course and scope of their employment.

* General Liability Insurance covering premises operations, fire damage, independent contractors, products and completed operations, blanket contractual liability, personal injury, and advertising liability with minimum limits.

* Subrogation Waiver: All insurance policies secured or maintained by Contractor or its Subcontractors in relation to this Contract shall include clauses stating that each carrier shall waive all rights of recovery under subrogation or otherwise against Contractor or the State, its agencies, institutions, organizations, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers.

Grantees will receive 50% of their award as an advance payment towards the beginning of their period of performance after the execution of their purchase order (PO). Grantees will receive their remaining 50% of their award after submitting the final report as a reimbursement.

Applicants may appeal the Colorado Creative Industries Council's decision on an application if there is evidence that the: * The stated review process was not followed. * Council's conflict of interest policy was violated. A written appeal, describing the grounds for appeal and the desired remedy, needs to be sent to the Chair of the Colorado Creative Industries Council no later than three weeks after you receive a denial notice.

The Council will reconsider its decision at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Unhappiness with a denial is not grounds for an appeal. Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report outlining eligible expenses and activities in order to receive their funding as a reimbursement.

**Grant recipients who do not submit their reports on time will not receive their funding and are ineligible for further Creative Industries funding**. Creative Industries has the right to withhold, reduce or cancel grants if an applicant does any of the following: * Misses deadlines for grant reports. * Does not notify the CCI of significant management changes or instances of fraud or embezzlement.

* Fails to comply with the terms of the grant award requirements. * Demonstrates inadequate financial management and oversight. * Does not properly credit CCI support.

Additionally, grantees will be monitored during the course of the period of performance. Grantees will receive notice of monitoring in advance. Grantees are encouraged to submit all optional requested materials in order to determine monitoring requirements for the grant.

Awarded grantees who do not submit optional materials will be required to complete them during the final report. **Grant funding and fund restrictions are subject to future federal actions. Grant funding is not guaranteed until funds are appropriated and disbursed.

** As a condition of the grant, Colorado Creative Industries requires the recipient of public funds to comply with all state and federal laws and regulations. Those terms and conditions can be found here: State CCI Terms and Conditions (Google Doc)(opens in new window), State Procurement Conditions, Federal Terms and Conditions (Google Doc) and Federal Provisions(opens in new window).

All material submitted regarding application for grant funds becomes the property of the State of Colorado and is subject to the terms of Colorado Revised Statutes 24-72-201 through 24-72-206, Public Open Records. The State of Colorado has the right to use any or all information/material presented in reply to the Announcement, subject to limitations for proprietary or confidential information.

Disqualification or denial of the application does not eliminate this right. Any restrictions on the use or inspection of material contained within the proposal shall be clearly stated in the proposal itself. The contents of the application will become contractual obligations if the project is funded.

**Audit**: All applications accepted for funding become official records of the State of Colorado and are subject to an audit. CCI requires open access to accounting records for up to three years after the final report is submitted for funds expended under the terms of contract award for the purpose of audit examination, reference or transcription.

**Credit/Acknowledgment**: Grantee agrees that a current CCI logo will be included in all announcements and promotional materials and efforts will be made to publicly credit CCI support in any public events related to the funding program and activities. Recipients may also use the current National Endowment for the Arts logo if desired.

**Accessibility**: Grantees are required to complete the CCI Grantee Accessibility Checklist form(opens in new window), Open Door Arts Self-Assessment(opens in new window), the NEA 504 Self-Evaluation Handbook(opens in new window), or another equivalent self-evaluation during the grant period. Grantees must keep this on file for the three years of the grant.

**Letters of Recognition:**Grantee agrees to send a letter to their state legislators, informing them of the importance of State funding. Grantees are strongly encouraged to join the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Arts Action Network(opens in new window), to ensure that arts, culture and the creative industries are valued and supported by policymakers and voters. Not applying for the FY27 grant?

This is an excellent opportunity to become an application evaluator for this cycle! As an evaluator, you will have the opportunity to network and gain connections, learn the ins and outs of the grant process from a different perspective, and make a difference in the Colorado creative economy!

Evaluators include artists, arts administrators, and community leaders who represent diverse geographic, ethnic, philosophical, and aesthetic perspectives.

Evaluators review Colorado Creates Grant applications with: * Individual online reading and commenting on applications (10 to 20 hours) * An online virtual meeting with the panel to discuss funding recommendations (1 to 4 hours) Apply to be an application evaluator(opens in new window)