Welcome
To Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency Mini Grants Portal
Denver is eliminating pollution and waste while investing in clean energy and resiliency to protect all our communities for future generations.
Tips for Applicants
To make your application competitive, please follow these tips:
- Before you apply, review the guidelines to confirm you are eligible.
- Be sure to show how your project meets one or more of the listed objectives.
- Prepare the necessary documents ahead of time to avoid submission delays.
Here’s a quick guide to applying with Submittable: How to Use Submittable
Where to Apply
Go to the submission page to see all the available opportunities.
How to Apply
1. Click on the link for the opportunity you are interested in.
2. Sign in or create a Submittable account.
3. Fill out the application form.
4. Click Submit when you’re done.
Important Note: Your progress is saved automatically, or you can save it by clicking Save Draft. You can access drafts by logging in and selecting Drafts in your account.
If you need additional assistance, please review the Submittable Applicant Guide
Accessibility
It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact sustainability@denvergov.org.
Es su derecho adquirir interpretación y traducción de información en su lenguaje natal, interpretación de lenguaje de señas, subtítulos en tiempo real a través de CART, o acomodaciones relacionadas a alguna discapacidad. Para solicitar cualquier de estos servicios sin costo alguno para usted, contacte a sustainability@denvergov.org
The Green Workforce team is providing funding to nonprofits, training providers, community colleges, and technical colleges to support green workforce development initiatives. These guidelines outline the grant objectives, eligibility requirements, and application process.
Application Process & Relevant Deadlines
As of March 4, 2025, we are temporarily pausing the award and contracting process for Green Workforce mini grants to onboard a third-party administrator. This step is essential to enhance the program's efficiency and ensure a smoother experience for all participating organizations. We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition and will keep you updated on the new contracting timeline. If you submit a new application to this program during this time, your application will be placed onto a waitlist, and we'll notify you when awards resume later in 2025. We also encourage you tosubscribe to our newsletterto stay informed of new funding opportunities as they are announced over the coming months. Please reach out togreenworkforce@denvergov.orgwith any questions.
Purpose
The goal of this funding is to:
- Allow organizations to understand and address green workforce gaps
- Build "green" credentials or curricula that (1) enhance workers' skills so they can get quality green careers (2) Prioritize workers who have been under-represented or underserved
This funding aims to strengthen the quality of training that leads to careers in:
- Clean energy fields, such as (1) Building Electrification (2) Energy Efficiency (3) Renewable Energy
- Support electric vehicle technology and infrastructure, such as (1) Assembly and Maintenance (2) Infrastructure (3) Battery Storage
- Support Natural Resource Management, such as (1) Water Quality (2) Tree Care (3) Ecological Restoration
Eligibility
- Nonprofits, training providers, community colleges, and technical colleges can apply.
- Proposal must describe the program design model for Denver Metro candidates, with emphasis on Denver NEST Neighborhood community members, or Denver employers.
- Current Green Workforce vendors are not eligible to apply.
Organizations applying for this funding must:
- Provide a Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State
- Provide Proof of tax-exempt status or copy of the fiscal sponsor's tax-exempt status
- Provide a certificate of insurance. Insurance requirements vary by contract, but similar awards from the City and County of Denver generally require:
- Worker's Compensation Insurance ($100,000 for each bodily injury occurrence claim, $100,000 for each bodily injury caused by disease claim, and $500,000 aggregate for all bodily injuries caused by disease claims)
- Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 for each occurrence)
- Business Automobile Coverage ($1,000,000 combined single limit applicable to all owned, hired and non-owned vehicles used in performing services)
Certifiably Green Denver is offering up to $10,000 in upfront funding to small businesses and nonprofits. This funding aims to help businesses meet their sustainability goals and improve operations. These guidelines explain the grant's objectives, eligibility, and the application process.
Purpose
- To support community-based projects that focus on sustainability and care for the environment. (e.g., installing WaterSense certified toilets that conserve water)
- To reduce energy and operational costs for small businesses. (e.g., install energy-efficient appliances or start initiatives that reduce waste)
- To help local businesses reach their sustainability goals. (e.g., providing training programs or create greener processes)
Eligibility
Organizational Eligibility
To apply for these funding opportunities, you must meet the following criteria:
- Meet the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards.
- Have a current W-9.
- Have an active TIN or EIN and be registered with the State of Colorado.
- Have a certificate of good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State.
- Have a physical brick-and-mortar location in the City and County of Denver.
- Home-based businesses are not eligible for funding under this program.
- Food trucks are not eligible for funding under this program.
- Preference will be given to businesses located in a Denver Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (NEST) neighborhood. Learn more at denvergov.org/NEST
Project Eligibility
Projects must pursue sustainability goals outlined in the Certifiably Green Denver certification criteria and have a proven impact in:
- Business Management
- Energy Efficiency
- Water Conservation
- Waste Reduction & Diversion
- Sustainable Transportation
Application Process & Relevant Deadlines
We will award funding on a monthly basis. We will work with eligible organizations to ensure your project meets requirements. For questions or support with your application, please email certifiablygreendenver@denvergov.org. For more information, visit our Certifiably Green Denver Funding page at denvergov.org/certifiablygreendenver