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Find similar grantsGeneral Purpose Grants (Competitive Process) is sponsored by El Pomar Foundation. El Pomar Foundation is a general purpose foundation that provides grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities serving Colorado.
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Grant Making - El Pomar Foundation Learn about our historic properties Learn about our historic properties Grant Making at El Pomar Foundation Spencer and Julie Penrose established El Pomar in 1937 with a mission to enhance, encourage, and promote the current and future well-being of the people of Colorado.
The philanthropy they set in motion across Colorado has grown today to more than $25 million annually through grants and community programming. Grant Process & Guidelines A Foundation for all of Colorado We’re headquartered in Colorado Springs, but our grant making spans across the state – investing in organizations, people, and partnerships that help people live better lives.
Since Spencer and Julie Penrose established El Pomar in 1937, we’ve made over 25,000 grants totaling more than $600 million for the benefit of the people of Colorado. And counting… in grants, programs and assets for the people of Colorado We have a broad, general grant making scope with greatest emphasis on arts & culture, civic/community initiatives, education, health, and human services – which started with our founders.
Our Trustees look to support organizations and initiatives that demonstrate (among other considerations) not only that they’re making a positive and significant difference in peoples’ lives and/or solving issues important to their communities, but also that they have solid plans to activate the mission, program, or project for which they’re seeking funding; financial sustainability; and strong community support and organizational leadership.
Our competitive process is the way most El Pomar grants are made, but we also have a number of individual funds with specific focus or geographic areas.
Learn more about our specialized funds The Foundation does NOT accept applications for grant support to: Primary or secondary schools (K-12) – El Pomar will consider, on a limited basis, capital requests from non-publicly funded secondary schools Other foundations or nonprofits that distribute money to recipients of its own selection Camps, camp programs, or other seasonal activities Religious organizations for support of religious programs Scientific research projects or studies Organizations that practice discrimination of any kind Organizations that do not have fiscal responsibility for the proposed project Organizations that do not have an active 501(c)(3) nonprofit IRS determination letter or a fiscal agent with active 501(c)(3) status Private foundations or 509(a)(3) organizations that are not functionally integrated according to the IRS Cover deficits or debt elimination Cover travel, conferences, conventions, group meetings, or seminars Influence legislation or support candidates for political office Produce videos or other media projects Because the state is made up of a variety of unique communities, El Pomar created its Regional Partnerships program in 2003 to address local needs in each of the 11 regions.
Convening local individuals into councils for each region allows us to employ community-informed grant making that best meets regional needs. Learn more about Regional Partnerships Enjoy this short video for more of the story. Your organization is eligible to apply for a grant from El Pomar Foundation if it matches a few basic criteria.
Be sure to review our full details about eligibility and grant guidelines. Review the grant guidelines and eligibility requirements We are a general purpose foundation, which means we do not have a specific funding focus. That said, we do primarily grant in our founders’ interest areas of arts & culture, civic & community initiatives, education, health, and human services.
Your organization’s activities must take place in Colorado, or at least the specific programming for which you are requesting funding. We make grants for general operating, program, and capital support. In order to ensure eligibility for Trustee review we ask you to submit your complete competitive or Fund application at least 10 weeks in advance of a Trustee meeting.
Incomplete applications will be assigned to the next Trustee meeting. Should you have questions, please reach out to our grants staff at grants@elpomar. org Applications are only accepted online through our grant application portal.
Please do not mail hard copy applications. If funded through the competitive process, applicants must wait three years (36 months) to be considered again. If declined, applicants must wait one year (12 months) to be considered again.
Upcoming Grant Review Dates We accept applications on a rolling basis, and our Trustees review them 4-6 times a year during Trustee meetings. In order to ensure eligibility for Trustee review we ask you to submit your complete competitive or Fund application at least 10 weeks in advance of a Trustee meeting. Incomplete applications will be assigned to the next Trustee meeting.
Should you have questions, please reach out to our grants staff at grants@elpomar. org . When I'm ready, how do I go about applying for a grant?
Most grant funding at El Pomar Foundation is distributed through the competitive process. Through that process, the Trustees provide grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities that serve Colorado across a broad spectrum of focus areas, including: arts & culture, civic & community, education, health, and human services. These grants are for general operating support, programs and capital projects.
Review Application Timelines Grant applications are reviewed by the Trustees, who typically meet four-six times a year, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. In order to ensure eligibility for Trustee review we ask you to submit your complete competitive or Fund application at least 10 weeks in advance of a Trustee meeting. Incomplete applications will be assigned to the next Trustee meeting.
Should you have questions, please reach out to our grants staff at grants@elpomar. org .
In addition to making grants through the competitive process, El Pomar oversees several individual funds, including: Anna Keesling Ackerman Fund Learn more about these funds El Pomar's Grant toolkit provides a comprehensive guide to organizations seeking grants, including details on eligibility criteria, application processes, and reporting requirements. Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Active 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or their government equivalents with activities taking place within the state of Colorado. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
General Purpose Grants (Competitive Process) is funded by El Pomar Foundation. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Colorado. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Competitive Grants is sponsored by El Pomar Foundation. El Pomar Foundation offers competitive grants on a rolling basis to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities serving Colorado. Funding is available for general operating support, programs, and capital projects across a broad spectrum of focus areas, including human services. Applications are reviewed 4-6 times a year by Trustees.
Regional Partnerships Program is sponsored by El Pomar Foundation. El Pomar Foundation's Regional Partnerships program engages local community leaders in grant recommendations to benefit their regions across Colorado. This place-based grantmaking program seeks to help communities address local needs, with a focus on youth mental health and resiliency in some regions.
The Homeless Youth Program is a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services that funds services for homeless and at-risk youth across Illinois. Administered through the Office of Community and Positive Youth Development, it supports nonprofit organizations delivering shelter, outreach, and support services to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Eligible applicants are Illinois-based nonprofits with demonstrated capacity to serve youth. Awards range from $100,000 to $800,000 per year under CSFA number 444-80-0711. This is a FY 2026 funding opportunity with an application deadline of May 21, 2025.
Community Investment Tax Credit Program (CITC) is a grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that provides state tax credit allocations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, enabling them to attract private donations from individuals and businesses. Donors contributing $500 or more to approved projects receive tax credits equal to 50% of their contribution. The program has leveraged nearly $27 million in charitable contributions to approximately 700 projects statewide. Eligible project areas include education, housing, job training, arts and culture, economic development, and services for at-risk populations. Projects must be located in or serve residents of Maryland's Priority Funding Areas. The application period is typically held annually.
The Families First Community Grant Program is a competitive grant initiative from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) offering approximately $27 million in funding to support nonprofit organizations serving low-income Tennessee families. Grants fund programs across four priority areas: education, health, economic stability, and family well-being, aligned with TANF goals of promoting self-sufficiency. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits based in Tennessee that provide direct services to economically disadvantaged families. The 2025 application cycle closed July 10, 2025. This program reflects Tennessee's broader commitment to strengthening communities through strategic investment in local organizations that address the root causes of poverty.