Making Sense of the Economic Recovery Act
for Nonprofits

Colorado's Nonprofit Headquarters for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Strengthening Communities Project

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Strengthening Communities Fund program, awarded the Colorado Nonprofit Association a $250,000 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help nonprofits across Colorado with economic recovery efforts in their communities.

The purpose of the Association's grant is to strengthen nonprofits and increase their working and financial relationships with government agencies. The Association chose to focus on regions with higher unemployment rates than the statewide average, and will deliver services in Weld, El Paso, Pueblo, Montezuma, San Miguel, Dolores, Montrose, Mesa and the San Luis Valley counties.


The Association is partnering with the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships (DOSP), an office created by Mayor Hickenlooper to further connections between City agencies and the nonprofit sector. Under contract with the Association, DOSP will offer assistance within the city and county of Denver.

All services provided in conjunction with the SCF grant will be offered at no cost to nonprofits in eligible areas.

 

See what Recovery Act Funding is doing for you!

More than $6.7 billion is coming to Colorado through the recovery act including grant opportunities available to nonprofits serving every sector. While the needs of nonprofits are rising there are unique opportunities for funding, collaborating and engaging in ways we never have before. Check out the following links to see how Recovery Act funding is making a difference in your community.

Recovery.gov - See where funds are being distributed around the country
Colorado Recovery Act page - Find local projects, see how you can get involved

Seeking Recovery Act Funding Opportunities?

  1. Plan ahead when applying for a federal grant on www.grants.gov.
    • You must first register and receive a DUNS number. It may take several days to receive this number.
    • Don't wait until the last minute to file your grant application. Due to processing backlogs, allow for 72 hours before the due date deadline.
    • Try to file your application during off-hours (night or early morning) when the site is not as busy.
  2. Find grant opportunities and updates from the State of Colorado's Recovery Act page and many more on our resource page
  3. Many contracting opportunities may be available through county or municipal governments or school districts. Know and contact your local elected officials or local government departments. A directory of county governments may be found at www.ccionline.org. A directory of municipal governments may be found at www.cml.org. Links to many school district Web sites may be found at www.casb.org/AboutCASB/MemberSchoolDistricts.aspx.
  4. Contracting and some grant opportunities with the state government agencies are announced by the Division of Purchasing, Department of Personnel and Administration. To respond to a contract solicitation, you must be registered on BIDS. For information, go to https://www.gssa.state.co.us/VenSols.

Click here to view the opening session presentation from the Association's Recovery Act Forum, April 3, 2009..

Click here to access or subscribe to videos of the Recovery Act Forum sessions.

 

The Colorado Nonprofit Support Initiative, a grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, and local support from