Community Improvement and Capacity-Building Grants

Community Improvement and Capacity-Building Grants is sponsored by Various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs. Provides grants to nonprofits for community improvement and capacity-building initiatives.

C3 - Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise Program Type: Public or Private sectors Nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations and businesses, tribes, local governments, public and private schools, institutions of higher education Capacity Building Grants are the highest tier of C3 funding. These projects are expected to provide Colorado with significant advances in waste diversion and aversion.

This can be accomplished through sustainable design, remanufacturing, distribution/market development, source reduction, reuse, repair, recovery, collection, recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, or biochar production. Projects submitted for Capacity Building Grants should build a larger framework for building a circular economy by focusing on the full lifecycle of the targeted materials.

The C3 team will consider project submissions in the broad context of advancing a sustainable circular economy in Colorado and may bring in various subject matter experts to analyze the project's efficiency, efficacy, and capacity for industry collaboration.

Any entity looking to apply for a Capacity Building Grant should not only consider the diversion and/or aversion of materials from landfills, but also the effect on the circular economy as a whole and the communities that will benefit from the project.

Projects that create access to a circular economy in areas of the state that historically lack that access will be prioritized, as well as projects that benefit underserved and/or rural communities. Additionally, the C3 team will consider the project’s potential impact on communities that have historically experienced considerable environmental and social stressors.

Demonstrate that all permitting, certification, and local rules and land use requirements have been researched, by providing a current status of any applications or requirements that are in process Present a correct and clear budget request accompanied by recent vendor quotes, preferably within the past six months, for each requested item Include a realistic and manageable project timeline Projects that are anticipated to create greater outcomes related to C3 goals will take precedence.

Please keep in mind that program resources are limited and not every application will be awarded, even if it is well-prepared. C3 program priorities are dynamic and may fluctuate based on variables such as available funding, commodity markets, previously funded projects, and other related variables. Potential projects are scored with a point system based on defined criteria.

The rubric for scoring can be found in the guidelines for each grant type. Please note: C3 grants are not intended for urgent or emergency situations. Entities may only be awarded one C3 grant each calendar year.

All C3 grant recipients must enter into a contract. Grant funds are reimbursement-based. Grantees cover costs upfront, and are then repaid once contract requirements are met and deliverables are completed.

Only expenses incurred after the contract is fully executed are eligible for reimbursement. Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations and businesses, local governments, public and private schools, and institutions of higher education located in Colorado are eligible to apply. Applicants are limited to one Colorado Circular Communities (C3) funding award per calendar year.

Projects must promote a circular economy, defined as an economy that: Uses a systems-focused approach that involves industrial processes and economic activities that are restorative or regenerative by design Enables resources used in industrial processes and economic activities to maintain their highest value for as long as possible Aims to eliminate waste through the superior design of materials, products, and processes, including business models Circular economy projects include waste aversion and diversion efforts, accomplished through sustainable design, remanufacturing, distribution/market development, source reduction, reuse, repair, recovery, collection, recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, or biochar production.

Eligible and ineligible expenses are detailed in the Capacity Building Grant guidelines . Any funds spent before full execution of an agreement are not eligible for reimbursement. Be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State Be in operation for a minimum of one (1) year (This will be verified through the Colorado Secretary of State.)

Maintain good standing with all regulatory programs, including CDPHE, EPA, and OSHA Be in good standing with the Colorado Department of Revenue Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local permitting, zoning, and code requirements Be prepared to make purchases upfront and be reimbursed once contract requirements are met.

When submitting an application for a C3 grant, applicants agree to adhere to the state’s terms and conditions. Terms and conditions of the agreements will not be altered. Inability to agree to terms and conditions will disqualify entities for funding.

For most awards: State PO Terms and Conditions or C3 Grant Agreement For awards with government entities: C3 Intergovernmental Agreement Template Summaries of awarded Capacity Building Grants Capacity Building Grant guidelines Application Process and Key Dates Capacity Building applications can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months or longer to finalize.

In some cases, once the project is ready to be recommended to the board, it will take a minimum of two board meetings to come to a decision (two months). Read through all of the Capacity Building Grant guidelines to learn about the details of the grant opportunity prior to submitting an inquiry. Capacity Building Grants are by invitation only.

Interested applicants should submit a detailed technical assistance inquiry to work with the C3 team regarding their project. Submitting an inquiry does not guarantee an application invitation. If the proposed project is considered eligible and sufficiently meets Capacity Building Grant requirements, the C3 team will work with the applicant to develop a complete application to be presented to the C3 Board of Directors by the C3 team.

Producer Responsibility Program Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, is a program established with Colorado House Bill 22-1355 that makes producers of packaging and paper products responsible for the recycling of their materials. The State of Colorado appointed Circular Action Alliance (CAA) as the designated Producer Responsibility Organization. If you have questions about EPR, please contact CAA directly.