We are pleased to launch a new winter phase of micro-grants to support the amazing community work happening this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and with an effort to foster safe, supportive, and resilient communities in Denver. We were blown away by your creativity and dedication from this summer's program - 30 community leaders led micro-projects to bring positivity, physical activity, mental health, healthy food, and more to reach over 7800 residents in our city.
This winter, Denver Community Active Living Coalition (CALC), a program of Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, is excited to team up with Denver Streets Partnership and the Trust for Public Land to run a Winter Micro-Grant program to grant out over $30,000 in micro-grants to Denver residents and organizations.
We will fund projects up to $1,000 that support work in walkability, bikeability, or access to safe and healthy spaces for physical activity. Applications open on December 11th and will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds are disseminated. See detailed funding eligibility, criteria, and details below.
Examples of what Micro-Grants can help fund:
We are looking to fund projects that promote physical activity and active transportation - we encourage you to think creatively about projects that could increase accessibility, safety, or enhance experiences to be physically active in public spaces in your own community. Some example ideas are below:
Arts and craft materials or supplies for uplifting community art projects (chalk, paint, signs, postcards and stamps, clean-ups, etc) to promote safe physical activity and outdoor activity
Materials to support neighborhood walking or bicycle delivery services (bicycles, front or rear-wheel racks, delivery trailers, rolling carts, baskets or panniers)
Supplies for winterizing or preparing community or local gardens (seedlings, tools, soil or mulch, materials for raised beds)
Enhancing bus stops (trash pick-up, murals, benches)
Programming or beautification of temporary road closures on City Streets that encourages social distancing, recreation, and placemaking (temporary chalk art, signs, totems or wayfinding)
Materials or supplies to support local businesses with safe outdoor activities and/or local placemaking (signage like social distance markers on the pavement, outdoor murals, lights, outdoor dining supplies)
Supplies or signage for solo walking or biking tours that encourage social distancing (hats, reusable water bottles, kites, umbrellas, chalk, yard signs)
Translation/interpretation services for active living-related projects such as those listed above
Gift certificates for volunteers
Out of the box ideas!
What we cannot fund:
We cannot fund direct compensation to individuals for time and labor. Micro-Grant funds should cover hard expenses only.
We cannot fund perishable or non-perishable food items.
We cannot fund personal hygiene, cleaning supplies, or single-use items (including masks, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves).
We cannot fund any project that would encourage gatherings or go against current public health guidelines.
We cannot fund or approve projects that would install any unpermitted furniture or infrastructure that would impede local traffic in the Right-of-Way.
We cannot fund projects that do not relate to physical activity, transportation, or the built environment.
Who is eligible to apply:
Any individual or organization within the City & County of Denver is eligible to apply for the Micro-Grant. Applicants may apply more than once for different projects or different phases/components of their project.
Individuals may apply for up to $200, to be distributed via gift cards OR direct purchase of materials.
Organizations or Businesses with a valid W-9 may apply for up to $1000, to be distributed via a purchase order or invoice. Organizations should expect to receive a 1099 for their micro-grant funds and prepare your expenses and taxes appropriately.
Project Requirements:
Project must follow and support current State of Colorado & City of Denver stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines along the entire lifecycle, from material procurement, to project implementation, to actual usage.
Project must be located within the City and County of Denver.
Project must be completed by May 31, 2021, including documentation of project (e.g. pictures and a brief write-up) and completion of a brief post-evaluation survey.
Preference will be given to projects that serve a high-need community or vulnerable populations.
To Apply:
Fill out the brief Interest Form here with your project idea. We will accept applications until April 1st, 2021, for projects to be completed by May 31st.
Not sure if your project fits? Looking for a little guidance? We are here to help!
Our team is here to help you be successful and deliver an amazing project to your community. We'll workshop your ideas, help connect you to partners, and help you create budgets.
Join one of our Office Hours online in a Microsoft Teams webinar for a brief overview of the program and to ask any questions you have: every other Tuesday, 12:30-1pm here
Email us at calc@denvergov.org with your availability and we can set up another time for you to chat with our team
Watch a recording of our first informational webinar on Youtube or below:
Apply with the form below by April 1:
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