Rural Catalyst Grants

Rural Catalyst Grants is sponsored by Boettcher Foundation. Empowers Colorado's rural communities by providing funding for capacity-building initiatives.

Rural Catalyst Grants - Boettcher Foundation The Rural Catalyst Grant Program strengthens the internal capacity of organizations as they work to achieve goals outlined in Boettcher’s Rural Leadership Collaborative meetings. Our Rural Leadership Collaborative meetings are quarterly gatherings where rural leaders come together to discuss strategies that advance their organizations, communities, and regions.

There are two funding cycles to apply for Rural Catalyst Grants. Visit Rural Leadership Collaborative Catalyst Grant Application These capacity-building grants range from $1,000-$10,000 and are distributed to support the following types of projects: Convening: Bringing people, ideas, and resources together to move forward an issue, topic, or opportunity.

Short-term staffing or contractors: Supporting employees or expertise recruited for short-term employment contracts to meet limited, one-time support needs. One-time operating costs: Covering expenses related to the operation of the organization or program that are not recurring, such as tap fees, application fees, public outreach, or education material expenses.

Fund work in rural Colorado to move forward on a number of eligible issue areas, including affordable housing, childcare, community-to-community collaboration, mental health, rural placemaking, serving immigrant and/or refugee communities, rural water management, and other. If you feel your issue area does not directly match one of these categories, please still apply for funding.

Must be a strategic opportunity rather than general operating support. Must address one of the eligible issue areas. Must have at least one staff member, volunteer, or board member attend a Rural Leaders Collaborative meeting between 2024-2026.

Complete the Catalyst Grant Application (refer to timeline). Questions about the grants process for Rural Catalyst Grants can be emailed to Garrett Mayberry, grants program officer, at garrett@boettcherfoundation. org .

Grants will be awarded after a competitive review. Note: We prefer that organizations only submit one application of the following grant opportunities ( Leadership Practitioner Catalyst Grant , Rural Catalyst Grant, or Community Connections Grant ) per cycle.

Winter Cycle: January 12 – February 13 Catalyst Grant Application Notification of Funding/Declination Fall Cycle: October 1 – 30 Catalyst Grant Application Notification of Funding/Declination Boettcher Foundation Announces First Cycle of 2026 Rural Catalyst Grant Recipients Boettcher Foundation Announces Second Cycle of 2025 Rural Catalyst Grant Recipients Staff will review inquiries during the acceptance windows, typically responding within six weeks of receipt, to inform organizations if they will be invited to submit a full application.

Additional Types of Grants Community Connections Grants We invest in initiatives or infrastructure projects that bring people together or fosters the connections between individuals and/or organizations.

Learn more about Responsive grants Leadership Practitioner Catalyst Grants The Leadership Practitioner Catalyst Grant Program strengthens the capacity of leadership organizations that are working to create a more inclusive and accessible leadership ecosystem in Colorado. Learn more about Leadership Practitioner Catalyst Grants