Helping Hands Grants are provided by the Golden Community Foundation (GCF) to assist organizations in the Golden community with unexpected expenses that affect their ability to fulfill their mission or manage unforeseen emergencies. These grants aim to address time-sensitive issues or take advantage of unanticipated opportunities that would enhance the organization’s operations or work in Golden. The grant program provides a quick solution to financial challenges, enabling organizations to continue or improve their work without disruption.

Organizations that receive a Helping Hands Grant are eligible for special grants from the GCF every other year. This offers recipients ongoing opportunities for support from the community foundation, ensuring long-term sustainability and continued assistance when needed.

The selection criteria for the Helping Hands Grants focus on the immediate, unanticipated nature of the need, the ability of the organization to meet its mission, and the involvement of community support. A strong proposal must demonstrate a clear and urgent need for funding, a positive impact on the organization's capacity to achieve its mission, and how the funding will help sustain programs or improve the organization's financial stability. The grant application process involves an initial submission of a Letter of Interest (LOI), which outlines the organization’s background and funding needs. If approved, the applicant is invited to submit a more detailed application for review.

The application process is streamlined with a quick turnaround time. Once the LOI is submitted and approved, applicants will be asked to submit an online application. The board of directors reviews the proposals, and applicants are notified of funding decisions within one month of submission. This fast-track review ensures that organizations facing urgent needs receive timely financial support to continue their work.

The grant is open for applications on a rolling basis, which means that applications can be submitted at any time. There is no fixed application deadline, allowing organizations to apply when they encounter time-sensitive needs. The GCF emphasizes flexibility in this program, enabling nonprofits and other community-based organizations to respond quickly to unplanned situations that might otherwise disrupt their operations or mission fulfillment.