The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation offers Quarterly Community Grants to provide unrestricted operating support for nonprofit arts and culture organizations in Denver, Colorado. These grants aim to ensure the ongoing stability of organizations as they carry out their mission. The foundation prioritizes general operating support but also considers project-specific funding as a means to build relationships with new applicants. Organizations may receive up to $60,000 in funding, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with quarterly review cycles.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and culture organizations or fiscally sponsored arts and culture groups that focus on producing and presenting arts to the public. Organizations must be based in Denver and deliver most of their programs within the city. However, groups in Arapahoe, Adams, and Jefferson counties that are majority-led by and serve BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or Disability communities may also apply. Additional eligibility requirements include a minimum of three years of consistent public arts and culture programming, an annual operating budget of at least $50,000, and a paid staffing equivalent of 0.5 FTE or greater. A strong understanding of and a clear plan for implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices are also required.

The application process begins with an eligibility questionnaire, which all new applicants must complete before submitting a proposal. Without this, capital, general operating, and project grant requests will be declined. If invited to apply, organizations may submit an application during one of the quarterly cycles. Deadlines for submission fall on February 10, May 10, August 10, and November 10, with extensions to the following Monday if the date lands on a weekend. Award decisions are announced in April, July, October, and January.

Certain types of funding requests are ineligible, including loans, grants, or scholarships for individuals, event and media/film production, religious initiatives, endowments, and operating debt retirement. Additionally, organizations located outside Colorado or those not serving Colorado citizens will not be considered. Groups using a fiscal sponsor are encouraged to follow the foundation’s fiscal sponsorship guidelines.

Through these grants, the foundation seeks to foster a diverse and vibrant arts and culture ecosystem in Denver, invest in organizations advancing equity, amplify the visibility of arts and culture, and nurture capable and diverse leadership within the nonprofit sector. The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation emphasizes collaboration with grantees, funders, community leaders, and others engaged in the creative economy.

For more information, applicants can contact the foundation at +1 303-825-3774 or via email at admin@bonfils-stanton.org. The foundation’s office is located at 1033 Santa Fe Dr, Denver, CO 80204. Applications can be submitted online through the foundation’s portal.