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Endowment Challenge Grants 2008 - 2010

Grant Snapshot

Links
Instructions & Letter of Interest Guidelines (pdf)
Fact Sheet (pdf)
FAQs (pdf)
Application

Description
In the spirit of its Nonprofit Preservation Initiative, Community First Foundation has committed $1.5 million for Endowment Challenge Grants 2008 – 2010. This grant opportunity was designed to help nonprofits in the metropolitan Denver community strengthen their long-term financial stability through endowment-building. The Foundation will match $.50 per $1 for funds contributed to a permanent endowment at the Foundation during a two-year Endowment Challenge Grant Period. The Foundation also guarantees five (5) percent interest and will not charge administrative fees during the Challenge Grant Period. To strengthen the program, the Foundation is offering participants educational seminars, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Two Endowment Challenge Grant Periods are offered. Round 1: May 1, 2008 – April 30, 2010 (closed) and Round 2: October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2010.

Purpose
To help nonprofits in the metropolitan Denver community strengthen their long-term financial stability through endowment-building.

Application Process
Interested organizations must first submit a Letter of Interest. Please read the Instructions & Letter of Interest Guidelines for details.

Round 1: May 1, 2008 – April 30, 2010
(Applications closed)

Round 2: October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2010
(Applications closed)

• Letter of Interest Deadline: Friday, August 1, 2008
• Application Deadline: 3 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2008, at the Foundation’s office
• Endowment Challenge Grant Period: October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2010. During this two-year timeframe, Community First Foundation will match funds contributed to the participating organization’s permanent endowment fund established with the Foundation.

Eligibility
The program is open to 501 (c)3 organizations that provide direct services within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties, and have not been the recipient of previous Community First Foundation Endowment Challenge Grants.

Please see the Fact Sheet for details about ineligible organizations.

Minimum Matching Grant
The minimum matching grant will be $12,500, meaning that an organization must contribute a minimum of $25,000 towards its endowment to participate in the program.

Maximum Matching Grant
The maximum matching grant will be $100,000.

Educational Sessions
To learn more attend an educational session. Please call 720.898.5900 to reserve a space:

Thurs. May 29; 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Tues. June 3; 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Contact
Please call Community First Foundation for more information at 720.898.5900.

Background
Endowment Challenge Grants 2008 – 2010 is the fourth program of its kind offered by Community First Foundation. To date, over 50 nonprofit organizations have participated in, or are currently participating in, the Foundation’s endowment challenge grant programs.