Funding Priorities
The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) takes a thoughtful and strategic approach to establishing its annual funding priorities, ensuring our philanthropic investments are responsive to the evolving needs of our community.
Each January, DCCF's Board of Directors and staff come together for a strategic planning retreat to evaluate the most pressing challenges facing Douglas County residents, identify emerging community needs, and explore opportunities where philanthropy can make a meaningful and lasting difference.
Following this process, DCCF announces its funding priorities and goals for the year, providing nonprofit partners with greater clarity on the areas of impact guiding our grantmaking decisions.
We welcome conversations with organizations interested in learning more about our funding priorities and how their work may align with DCCF's philanthropic goals. Whether you are exploring potential funding opportunities or simply looking to better understand our process, we encourage you to connect with us.
To schedule a Microsoft Teams meeting, please contact our Executive Director, Kirsten Swanson, at kirsten@dccf.org.
2026: Following thoughtful discussion and careful consideration during our annual 2026 Board of Directors retreat, the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) identified three key funding priorities for the year: Veterans and First Responders, Direct Mental Health Services, Mental Health Programming, and Youth Programs and Organizations. These priorities reflect our commitment to addressing critical needs within Douglas County and directing philanthropic resources toward areas where they can make a meaningful and lasting difference. By focusing our grantmaking efforts on those who have served and protected our community, individuals seeking essential mental health support, and programs that nurture and empower our youth, DCCF aims to strengthen the well-being, resilience, and future of Douglas County. We recognize the important work being done across all sectors of our nonprofit community and remain committed to thoughtful, strategic philanthropy that creates opportunities for lasting impact.
2025: Following thoughtful discussion and careful consideration during our annual 2025 Board of Directors retreat, the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) identified Direct and Indirect Mental Health Organizations and Programming, with a particular emphasis on youth, as our primary funding priority for the year. This strategic focus reflects our commitment to addressing the growing mental health needs within Douglas County and supporting organizations that provide essential services, resources, education, and preventative programming. By investing in both direct mental health services and initiatives that indirectly contribute to emotional well-being, resilience, and connection, DCCF seeks to strengthen the network of support available to individuals and families throughout our community. With a special emphasis on children and young adults, our goal is to help create a stronger foundation for mental wellness, expand access to meaningful support, and foster healthier futures for the next generation. Through thoughtful and intentional grantmaking, DCCF remains dedicated to supporting innovative and impactful organizations working to build a healthier, more resilient Douglas County.
Grant Review Sessions
Our commitment to supporting local nonprofits extends beyond the grantmaking process. Following each grant cycle, DCCF offers personalized grant review sessions for organizations that were not selected for funding. These sessions provide an opportunity to receive constructive feedback, gain insight into the evaluation process, and identify ways to strengthen future grant applications. We believe that every grant application represents meaningful work in our community, and our goal is to help nonprofit partners build their grant-writing skills, strengthen their proposals, and position themselves for future funding opportunities with DCCF and beyond.
Grant Reporting Requirements
2026 DCCF Impact Grant Cycle
(CLOSED)
The Douglas County Community Foundation's mission is to provide leadership and responsible stewardship of philanthropic resources to strengthen our community and enrich the lives of every resident in Douglas County. Our Impact Grants are meant to support nonprofits in our community creating lasting change through their mission, programs, and projects. Grant levels range from $2,500-$10,000 and are not guaranteed. Applicants may apply for a variety of programs/projects (we ask that support of general operating costs, salaries, and stipends for professional services not be included), with DCCF weighing those applications that meet the Board's FOCUS AREAS of Youth, Veterans & First Responders, Direct Mental Health, and Mental Health Programming.
- Total Amount to be Awarded: $100,000
- Application open date: March 30th, 2026
- Application close date: April 27th, 2026 11pm MDT
- Grant award notifications and fund distribution: May 2026
If you are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in good standings, registered in the state of Colorado, and providing significant services in Douglas County, you can apply for funding HERE.
