Overview Staff Events
Focus Areas Eligibility Process
Our Partners Giving History Peer Reviewers

TYPES OF SUPPORT

FOCUS AREAS

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Overview

The Foundation is interested in grants and Program Related Investments (PRI’s) that advance Coloradans ability to improve earning potential and quality of life. The Foundation places a premium on programs that have a proven track record in creating jobs with livable wages; pathways to self-sufficiency; wealth creation and entrepreneurship opportunities; growth. Giving areas include Entrepreneurship and Job Creation programs (50% of giving), Barriers to Employment (25% of giving) and General Purpose Funding (25% of giving). Within our General Purpose portfolio, the Foundation allocates funds towards pre-determined legacy organizations. 100% of our grant making and program related investing is by invitation only.

Job Creation and Entrepreneurship

Programs promoting job creation and entrepreneurship represent 50% of the Foundation's giving.

Criteria for strong proposals:

  • Programs developing individuals with increased
    skills in high-demand fields

  • Training and support that results in increased
    entrepreneurial skills and/or new businesses

  • Seed capital bundled with support services
    to help grow small to mid-sized ventures,
    jobs created because of new businesses or
    growth, financial skill building

  • Programs placing individuals in jobs with
    living wages

  • Apprenticeship programs

  • Job training through social enterprise

  • Jobs created through social enterprises
    or for-profit companies

  • Financial literacy training and adult education

  • Workforce development

Focus Populations:

  • Low-income entrepreneurs

  • Individuals lacking credit needed to secure traditional loans

  • Women

  • People of color

  • Justice-involved individuals

  • Rural communities

  • People with disabilities

Removing Barriers to Employment

Programs that remove barriers to employment represent 25% of the Foundation's giving.

Criteria for strong proposals:

  • Wraparound services that support people,
    including emergency/temporary/permanent
    supportive housing, emergency financial
    assistance, food, childcare, transportation,
    work clothes, etc.

  • Healthcare navigation, adult education, food
    assistance, rental assistance/housing to
    increase stability

  • Programs must be directly connected to training
    and employment opportunities through
    partnerships or within the organization

Focus Populations:

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness

  • Low-income single parents

  • Low-income individuals and families

  • Low-income individuals and families
    from rural communities

  • Justice-involved individuals

  • People with disabilities

General Purpose Funding

The Foundation’s legacy grants represent less than 10% of the Foundation’s giving and are handled through a consent agenda throughout the year. These organizations were identified by Kenneth King.