Climate Resilient Neighborhoods Mini Grant 2026
The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency is offering up to $50,000 in upfront funding to support community-led projects that advance local climate solutions. This funding aims to help neighborhood groups and community-based organizations co-create and implement climate, sustainability, and resiliency projects.
Purpose
We are prioritizing projects that:
- Create spaces for Denverites to connect and work toward shared climate goals
- Implement climate solutions that reflect community priorities and align with the city’s goals
- Promote sustainable behavior changes, such as reducing home energy and water use, increasing renewable energy adoption, and promoting sustainable transportation options
Award Tiers
Applicants must select one award tier at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated within the selected tier. We reserve the right to allocate funds across tiers in a manner that best meets program goals and available resources.
Tier 1: Community Partnership and Pilot Projects
Award Amount: Up to $25,000 (minimum award of $10,000)
Number of Awards: Up to 10 awards in 2026
Tier 1 is intended for smaller-scale projects that aim to build or strengthen community partnerships, conduct outreach or planning activities, or launch pilot initiatives. Projects may be early-stage but must demonstrate a clear implementation plan, defined outcomes, and a strategy for community engagement.
Tier 2: Scalable and Implementation-Ready Projects
Award Amount: Up to $50,000
Number of Awards: Up to 2 awards in 2026
Tier 2 is intended for larger-scale projects that have been developed with meaningful community input and demonstrate readiness for implementation and/or the potential to scale. Projects should provide evidence of prior planning, partnerships, and organizational capacity to manage a larger award amount.
Scaled-Down Proposal Option (Encouraged)
Applicants to Tier 2 are strongly encouraged to include an optional scaled-down project scope and budget (up to $25,000) that could be implemented under Tier 1 funding levels. This will allow high-quality Tier 2 proposals to be considered for Tier 1 funding if Tier 2 funds are fully allocated.
Eligibility
Organizational Eligibility
To apply for this funding opportunity, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a community-based organization within the City and County of Denver. These include: 501(c)(3) nonprofits or groups with fiscal sponsorship, neighborhood organizations and associations, Tribal and Indigenous entities
- Have a valid W-9.
- Hold a Certificate of Insurance. Specific insurance requirements are dependent upon project and may be waived in some instances.
Project Eligibility
To be eligible for funds, projects must:
- Take place within the City and County of Denver.
- Involve community members in creating and completing the project.
- Be open to all members of the public.
- Be completed by December 31, 2026. This includes spending funds and submitting a post-project evaluation survey or report.
- Return post-project evaluations within 4 weeks of project completion.
- Align with one or more of the Climate Protection Fund Allowable Uses:
- Green Jobs: Training people for jobs in clean energy and transportation.
- Clean Energy: Investing in solar power, renewable energy, and battery storage.
- Environmental Justice: Supporting neighborhood-based climate and environmental justice programs.
- Adaptation and Resiliency: Helping communities get ready for the effects of climate change.
- Sustainable Transportation: Offering clean, safe, and affordable ways to travel. This includes walking, biking, buses, electric cars, and local transit.
- Better Buildings: Making Denver’s buildings energy-efficient, safe, and comfortable.
Application Information
To help you get through the application process, please make sure to have this information ready:
- Contact Information (name, email, phone number)
- Organization Information (name, physical address, phone number) – all applicants must provide this
- A copy of this year’s W-9 (the address on the W-9 must match the address filed with the Secretary of State)
- A copy of your Colorado Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing
- If your group is an informal group rather than a registered organization with the Colorado Secretary of State and requires a fiscal sponsor, you will need to provide your sponsor’s W-9, Certificate of Good Standing, and organization information
Application Process & Relevant Deadlines
We will award funding on a rolling basis. We will work with eligible organizations to ensure your project meets requirements. For questions or support with your application, please contact your grant administrator through the messaging feature in Submittable, or email sustainability@denvergov.org. For more information, visit our Climate Resilient Neighborhoods Mini Grant page at denvergov.org/resilientneighborhoods