Colorado Trust Building and Bridging Power Grant: Strengthening Communities in 2024

Community organizations and grassroots initiatives play a pivotal role in advancing social justice, equity, and community empowerment. The Colorado Trust’s Building and Bridging Power Grant offers critical financial support to groups working to strengthen their advocacy efforts and build bridges across diverse communities in Colorado. If your organization is focused on creating positive, lasting change through advocacy, coalition-building, or community organizing, this grant is a valuable resource to help you expand your reach and impact.

In this blog, we’ll explore the objectives of the grant, the eligibility criteria, and how to apply for funding to support your advocacy work in 2024.

What is the Building and Bridging Power Grant?

The Building and Bridging Power Grant, offered by The Colorado Trust, aims to amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities and strengthen grassroots organizations across Colorado. This initiative is part of the foundation’s broader commitment to addressing systemic inequities by empowering local advocates and community leaders.

By funding community-driven advocacy efforts, the grant seeks to foster collaboration, build long-term relationships, and create sustainable solutions that address social injustices. The program provides the necessary resources for organizations to drive meaningful change in their communities, whether by building coalitions, engaging in policy advocacy, or organizing movements for racial, economic, and health equity.

Why This Grant Matters to Communities in Colorado

In Colorado, many communities face persistent challenges related to inequity and lack of representation in decision-making processes. Addressing these issues requires not only a deep understanding of the unique struggles faced by different groups but also the power to advocate for meaningful change.

The Building and Bridging Power Grant is designed to invest in community-led advocacy that can transform these challenges into opportunities for progress. By empowering local organizations to lead the charge in tackling systemic inequalities, The Colorado Trust is working to create a more equitable society where all Coloradans have a voice.

The funding provided through this grant helps organizations develop stronger networks, enhance leadership capabilities, and engage their communities in collective action to bring about long-term, sustainable change.

Who Can Apply for the Building and Bridging Power Grant?

The Colorado Trust aims to fund community-centered organizations that are dedicated to advocacy and social justice. Here are the primary eligibility considerations for the Building and Bridging Power Grant:

• Focus on Advocacy: The grant supports organizations that prioritize advocacy, particularly those working on issues of equity, social justice, and human rights.
• Community-Driven Efforts: Projects must be community-led, with an emphasis on organizing and empowering historically marginalized groups in Colorado.
• Collaboration and Coalition-Building: Organizations that collaborate with other groups or work to build coalitions for larger-scale advocacy efforts are encouraged to apply.
• Geographic Location: Applicants must operate within the state of Colorado, focusing on serving local communities.

Organizations that have experience in community organizing, leadership development, or policy advocacy are particularly well-suited for this grant program. Whether your group is focused on racial equity, economic justice, or public health advocacy, this grant can provide essential funding to help expand your work.

Key Objectives of the Grant Program

The Building and Bridging Power Grant is designed with the following objectives in mind:

1. Empowerment of Marginalized Communities: The grant funds initiatives that give historically marginalized communities the tools and resources they need to advocate for themselves and engage with policy and decision-making processes.
2. Building Sustainable Advocacy Networks: The goal is to strengthen community-based organizations by fostering long-term collaborations and coalition-building.
3. Advancing Systemic Change: Through funding advocacy projects, The Colorado Trust aims to help dismantle systemic inequalities in areas such as racial, economic, and health equity.
4. Promoting Social Justice: The grant is aligned with broader efforts to address injustices related to social, economic, and health disparities, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.

How to Apply for the Building and Bridging Power Grant

Applying for the Building and Bridging Power Grant involves a clear and straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your organization navigate the application:

Step 1: Review the Grant Priorities

Before beginning your application, ensure that your organization’s mission and proposed project align with the objectives of the grant. The Colorado Trust is particularly interested in projects that emphasize advocacy, coalition-building, and empowering marginalized communities.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Materials

Make sure your application clearly demonstrates the following:

• The need for your project: Clearly outline the specific issues your organization is addressing and how your advocacy efforts will impact the community.
• Project alignment with the grant objectives: Show how your project fits within the scope of the grant’s focus areas, such as social justice, health equity, or community empowerment.
• Measurable goals: Explain how you will measure the impact of your advocacy work, including both short-term and long-term outcomes.
• Collaboration and leadership: Highlight any partnerships or coalitions you plan to build and showcase your organization’s leadership in these efforts.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

All applications for the Building and Bridging Power Grant must be submitted online through the Colorado Trust’s website. Be sure to complete your application by the deadline to ensure it is considered for the funding round.

Step 4: Acknowledgement and Follow-Up

Once you’ve submitted your application, you will receive an acknowledgement email confirming that your materials have been received. If you do not receive this confirmation within 48 hours, contact the Colorado Trust to follow up.

If you have any questions during the application process, you can reach out to Johanna Ulloa Girón, the advocacy program manager, at (303) 539-3129 for further assistance.

How Fluxx Simplifies Grant Management

As a Fluxx customer, The Colorado Trust utilizes the Fluxx grant management platform, which provides a streamlined and user-friendly experience for applicants. Through Fluxx, organizations can easily submit applications, upload required documents, and track the status of their grant requests in real-time. The platform helps reduce administrative complexity and ensures that the entire process is transparent and efficient for both grant applicants and the Colorado Trust team.

Fluxx also enables seamless communication, allowing organizations to receive important updates or requests for additional information directly through the platform, making it easier to stay on top of deadlines and requirements.

Drive Change with the Building and Bridging Power Grant

The Building and Bridging Power Grant provides community organizations with the resources needed to tackle complex social justice and equity issues. If your group is working to empower marginalized communities, build advocacy networks, or foster long-term change in Colorado, this grant can help fuel your efforts.

By applying for the Building and Bridging Power Grant, your organization can gain the financial support necessary to expand its reach, strengthen its advocacy work, and drive real, sustainable change.

To learn more about the grant and how to apply, visit The Colorado Trust’s Building and Bridging Power Grant.