As the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) crisis continues to unfold in Colorado, we’re taking the following steps to support our grantees, partners and the broader Colorado community. Some of the work outlined below is still taking shape, but we think it’s especially important for the nonprofit community to know that funding resources are on the way.
Thank you to everyone who is helping us understand the realities of this public health threat on the needs of your organization and the communities you serve. We are in this together.
Policy Landscape – Register for This Week’s Briefings
- Today, March 18, 3:30 p.m. | Briefing for Funders on Federal, State and Local Government Response to COVID-19, hosted by Philanthropy Colorado: Learn more and register for today’s briefing for funders moderated by Kyle Rojas Legleiter, our senior director of public policy.
- Friday, March 20, 10:00 a.m. | Briefing for Nonprofits on Federal, State and Local Government Response to COVID-19, hosted by The Colorado Health Foundation: Learn more and register for Friday’s briefing for nonprofits moderated by Kyle Rojas Legleiter, our senior director of public policy.
- Deadline Wednesday, March 18 | Survey of Nonprofits: Philanthropy Colorado is seeking responses to their survey by March 18 to help inform elected officials and grantmakers of the impact COVID-19 is having on the sector.
How We’re Supporting Grantees
- Flexibility with grant funds (for project and capacity building grants): To ensure our grantees are equipped to meet the rapidly changing needs of the communities they’re serving during this crisis, we’re making all project and capacity building grants flexible. Project and capacity building grantees can use funding from the Foundation flexibly in the ways they see fit without requesting budget amendments, as long as redirected funds are used for charitable purposes. (We’ll consider changes to capital grants on a case by case basis.) Grantees will receive additional details from us on March 18.
- Suspending reporting requirements (for all grants): To ensure grantees can tend to the various urgent priorities this crisis presents, we’re suspending our grant reporting requirements for all grantees until June 30, 2020. Grantees will continue to receive payments contingent upon annual reporting requirements according to the timing in their grant agreement.
- No-cost extensions (for all grants): To allow flexibility for all grantees that will have project delays due to management of the COVID-19 crisis, requests for no-cost extensions will only be required if projects are delayed three months past the end date stated in the grant agreement.
Statewide Funding Coordination
- Statewide community response fund: We’re exploring in partnership with funders across the state a coordinated plan to support the nonprofit sector in addressing emergent needs. Amy Latham, vice president of philanthropy, and Taryn Fort, senior director of communications, are representing us in this effort. We’ll share more as this develops.
- Governor’s Colorado COVID Relief Fund: Our president and CEO, Karen McNeil-Miller is keeping the Foundation’s cornerstone of health equity front and center in her role on Governor Jared Polis’ Leadership Committee on COVID-19 Relief and its executive committee. The fund, focusing on prevention, impact and recovery, is housed by Mile High United Way.
- Local funding resources: A number of other responsive funds have been established in Colorado through the following entities: Aspen Community Foundation, Community Foundation Boulder County, El Pomar Foundation, Feeding Colorado, Longmont Community Foundation and Pikes Peak Community Foundation
- Issue-specific funding resources: We know food banks are especially hurting. Feeding Colorado Food Banks recommends referencing your local food bank’s website to learn how to contribute, volunteer and find food assistance help. The statewide Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger program office is also coordinating food insecurity response efforts, including working with funders to establish a fund that organizations can tap into for urgent needs. They’re seeking community input via this survey to better understand the needs and help inform the fund design.
Business Operations Resources
- The Colorado Nonprofit Association compiled a set of resources to help nonprofits navigate business operations in the midst of this crisis.
Thank you for all you’re doing to support Coloradans during this unprecedented time. If you have feedback or questions, please email Taryn Fort, senior director of communications.
In good health,
Karen McNeil-Miller
President & CEO