Jefferson County Food System Resilience Grants

Jefferson County Food System Resilience Grants is sponsored by Jefferson County, CO. Jefferson County is requesting applications for grants to support projects that enhance local food system resilience and address goals in the Jefferson County Climate Action Plan.

2026 Jefferson County Climate Action Plan Food Resilience Grant Program # Request for Applications (RFA) Jefferson County is requesting applications for grants to support projects that enhance local food system resilience and address climate action goals.

In the context of this Program, resilience refers to the capacity of Jefferson County’s local food system to adapt, thrive, and equitably meet community needs in the face of climate challenges through sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, and increased access to healthy, culturally relevant foods. The Program aims to empower farmers and food system partners to create impactful, community-driven solutions.

This funding opportunity is open to Jefferson County farmers and food system collaborators focused on supporting one or more of the following Climate Action Plan Goals: ● FW-1: Improve access to healthy, locally produced, and culturally relevant foods. ● FW-2: Advance climate-smart agriculture through innovative practices, technology, and education.

● FW-3: Support waste diversion initiatives (with a particular focus on on-farm composting). To learn more about each goal, visit the Jefferson County Climate Action Plan Food and Waste Section, Priority will be given to projects that: ● Support FW-1 in addition to one or more of the other strategies listed above.

● Focus on collaboration or shared infrastructure ● Demonstrate a deep understanding of and commitment to sustainability and resilience in the Jeffco food system. The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners approved an annual budget for projects that support the strategies identified in the Climate Action Plan . The funding for this grant opportunity comes from the 2026 budget for Climate Action Plan implementation.

● Total funding available is $90,000. ● Total budget per applicant must be $20,000 or less. ● Estimated project start date is July 6, 2026.

Funds must be spent and reported on by November 1, 2026. Click here to access application (opens on April 20) Applications must be submitted no later than May 18, 2026 at 5pm MT . Applications submitted via email will not be accepted.

Please ensure all of the following are submitted together using the application form linked above.

● Organization/business description and brief supplemental questions ● Project Scope of Work (SOW), supplemental questions and project metrics ● Project budget in template ● Certificate of Good Standing in the State of Colorado ● Digital signature from the legally authorized signer for the organization/business ● Applications will be assessed using a transparent review process.

To view the questions applications will be reviewed on, please see the link in the application form. ● Applicants will be notified of award status by June 1, 2026. ● Awarded applicants will immediately begin the contracting process (see sample contract here ), please be available during this time if awarded.

● The estimated project start date is July 6, 2026. Awarded applicants must have a final, adopted contract before incurring any expenses for the project, and the contracting process may take up to 6 weeks to complete. ● Funds will be distributed as reimbursement(s) to awardees.

Awardees will be required to submit invoice(s) and short report(s) to be eligible for reimbursement. Reporting and reimbursement schedule will be developed according to grantee needs and finalized during contracting. ● All projects must be concluded and all final paperwork submitted by November 1, 2026.

Schedule a 15 minute meeting with the grant administrator, Willow Cozzens, using this link or email your question(s) wcozzens@jeffco. us .