Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program

The NPI Grant Program provides funding for infrastructure improvements that are intended to positively impact an organization’s operational structure.

Nonprofit organizations may use grant funds toward things like:

• Strategic planning and organizational development
• Professional development for staff and board
• Research
• Data technology, data collection and/or technology infrastructure
• Marketing and communications
• Existing program expansion, development or evaluation

NPI Grant funds cannot be used toward programming or capital improvements, including:

• Real estate or land acquisition
• Building construction, renovation or improvement
• Payment of debt
• Advocacy or lobbying
• Organizing
• Endowments or reserves

The NPI Grant has been created for small nonprofits, with annual budgets between $150,000 and $2,000,000, that can show they have been impacted or disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

These organizations or groups must have a track record of providing effective, culturally appropriate, and relevant programs and services to their communities who have historically been underrepresented, underserved, or under-resourced in Colorado.

The governing bodies and staff of these organizations must consist of a majority of residents who live in the communities they serve, have a history of providing services in specific communities in the state, and have their main offices in one of the communities that they serve.

They will also demonstrate that the organization’s services meet community-identified needs, including:

• Health Equity
• Workforce Development
• Community Economic Development
• Early Childhood Care
• Education Support
• Housing
• Food Justice
• Other community identified need

Review the eligibility flow chart to confirm your organization should apply. 

Nonprofit Organization
A small community-based charitable or social welfare organization that has been impacted or disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 public health emergency.

Fiscal Agent
A tax-exempt charitable organization or social welfare organization operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with a small community-based nonprofit organization (NPO) that may or may not have its own tax-exempt status.

Fiscal Sponsor
A tax-exempt charitable or social welfare group operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with small community-based groups (SCBG) that are not registered NPOs.

General Application Questions

What is the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant?

The Nonprofit Infrastructure (NPI) Grant Program is a statewide grant program for small, community-based, nonprofit organizations with annual budgets between $150,000 and $2,000,000, that have been negatively affected by COVID-19. Funds can be used for organizational capacity needs, such as strategic planning, professional development for board and stuff, technology, etc. It is not meant to fund the programs of the nonprofit".

The grant is designed for nonprofits in historically-marginalized communities that need more foundational help. $33,100,000 in grants will be distributed equitably statewide. Small, community-based nonprofits that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 can receive grants of up to 30% of their annual operating budget, with a maximum award of $100,000."

Where can I get more information about this grant?

Visit the NPI Grant Program for more information on the grant and application process.

What is the application timeline?

The application timeline is July 5, 2023 through August 31, 2023.

What is the website address for the application?

Community based, nonprofit organizations will apply for the NPI Grant directly through the Regional Access Partner (RAP) that oversees the county in which the organization is primarily headquartered. Determine which regional access partner to apply through.

How will I know who to contact to submit my application?

For questions and technical assistance, please contact your RAP.

What level of support can I expect from my RAP?

The RAP network was designed to provide the highest level of technical assistance to its nonprofit communities, especially those historically underrepresented, underserved, or under-resourced. Applicants can expect a dedicated team committed to supporting your application process.

How much time should be set aside to prepare for and apply for the NPI Grant?

The NPI Grant eligibility requirements were developed with small community nonprofits in mind and with great collaborative input from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), RAPs, and other key stakeholders. The application and rubric were intentionally created to be inclusive and encourage historically underrepresented, underserved, or under-resourced organizations. While we cannot estimate preparation and application time for each organization, the team has taken every measure to streamline the application process. No question requires more than 500 words.

What information is needed for the application?

The local [geographic region] RAP can provide specific details about its application process. In general though, organizations should prepare to provide:

• Organization’s contact information
• Operating budget for current fiscal year
• Certificate of good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office
• Documentation of funds requested and how funds will be utilized
• Documentation supporting that the organization was disproportionately impacted by COVID-19
• Organization’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Visit sam.gov to learn more about obtaining your organization’s unique entity identifier number.

What documents are accepted to demonstrate COVID-19 impact?

Supporting documentation can include, but is not limited to: Year over year budgets, board meeting minutes indicating discussion or vote, notes from board finance or other committee meetings, email documentation, and signed letter from the board chair documenting the specific situations.

To qualify for the disproportionately impacted criteria, your organization must provide services in a qualified census tract, as defined by the United States Treasury as any census tract that is designated by the Secretary of Housing and urban development and, for the most recent year for which census data are available on household income in the such tract, either in which 50% or more of the households have an income that is less than 60% of the area median gross income for such year or that has a poverty rate of at least 25%. Use this map to look up qualified census tracts by address.

Who will be reviewing the applications and determining funding amounts?

Since the RAP Network was established to support the needs of local nonprofit organizations in their community, the RAP’s will also evaluate applications and make funding recommendations. The RAPs and stakeholder groups developed an application scoring rubric to ensure equity across the program.

Why should a nonprofit apply for this grant?

Unlike typical programming grants, this grant program helps organizations at their fundamental roots. The NPI grant allows organizations to focus on key capacity-building projects that will set them up for future success.

Eligibility Requirements Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

• Nonprofit Organization - A small community-based charitable or social welfare organization that has been impacted or disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• Fiscal Agent - a tax-exempt charitable organization or social welfare organization operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with a small community based NPO that may or may not have its own tax-exempt status.
• Fiscal Sponsor - a tax-exempt charitable or social welfare group operating under a 501(c)(3) that has an arrangement with small community-based groups (SCBG) that are not registered NPOs.

Are there any additional eligibility requirements?

Applicants must:

• Have a budget between $150,000 and $2,000,000 (For SCBGs the collaboration combined must meet the budget requirement).
• Be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State.
• Provide a clear plan for how the funds will improve the organization’s capacity through enhancements such as strategic planning, professional development for board and staff, technology, etc.

Is insurance required of the organization applying?

Yes, insurance is required by the State of Colorado controller per the requirement of the federal dollars funding this program. Proof of insurance coverage is not required to apply but will be required before entering into grant agreements. The insurance levels and certificates required include:

• General Liability:
  • Each occurrence - $500,000
  • General Aggregate - $500,000
  • Products and completed operations aggregate - $500,000
  • Fire - $50,000
• Automobile Liability:
  • Each occurrence $500,000
• Cyber/Network Security and Privacy Liability:
  • Each occurrence - $500,000
  • General Aggregate - $1,000,000
• Crime Insurance:
  • Each occurrence - $500,000
  • General Aggregate - $500,000

Can a taxing district apply?

No, a taxing district is considered a Government entity and does not meet the eligibility requirements outlined above.

Can a fiscal agent apply more than once for a different group?

Yes, a fiscal agency can apply more than once but must submit multiple applications and ensure no overlap in the organizations represented.

Can multiple groups apply under a fiscal sponsor? If so, do they all have to be working on a single collaborative project?

A fiscal sponsor application can include multiple requests for the funding of multiple projects. However, individual projects cannot exceed 30% of each organization's budget or $100,000, whichever is less. The organizations do not have to be working on a single collaborative project.

If a fiscal sponsor is submitting projects for multiple organizations within an application, does each project have to meet the NPI Grant funding minimum?

It is the responsibility of the fiscal sponsor to ensure that each organization meets the eligibility requirements. If any of the organizations do not meet the eligibility criteria, the application will not be considered. Budgets of the organizations can be combined to meet the $150,000 - $2,000,000 requirement.

What if a fiscal sponsor is submitting for multiple organizations and one group does not meet the criteria?

It is the responsibility of the fiscal sponsor to ensure that each organization meets the eligibility requirements. If any of the organizations do not meet the eligibility criteria, the application will not be considered.

Funding Questions

How much funding is available?

In total, $33,100,000 is available to be distributed equitably across the state by December 30, 2026. No more than $100,000 will be granted to an individual organization; and the funding cannot be more than 30 percent of the nonprofit’s annual operating budget.

Is it possible that less funding than is requested could be awarded?

Yes, it is possible that partial funding may be awarded. This will be determined by the RAP during the application review and selection process.

Will there be more than one round of funding?

Only if there are funds remaining after this application round.

Allowable Use of Funds Questions

What is the difference between an infrastructure improvement and a capital improvement?

An infrastructure improvement positively impacts an organization’s operational structure and is eligible for the NPI Grant Program. Marketing, strategic business consulting, research, and staffing are examples of infrastructure improvements.

A capital improvement is a fixed asset, such as property or equipment. Storage units and building renovations are examples of capital improvements that are not eligible for the NPI Grant Program.

What are some examples of infrastructure support?

Infrastructure examples include:

• Data Technology - data collection and/or technology infrastructure
• Professional Development - staff and board
• Communications
• Strategic planning and organizational development for capacity building, fundraising, and other services
• Existing program expansion, development or evaluation

What else do I need to know?

If you have any other questions that are not listed here, please contact your Regional Access Partner.