Season To Share Grant Application Information

The Denver Post and The Denver Post Community Foundation, with funds raised through Season To Share, are committed to helping those less fortunate in our community improve their lives and become self-sufficient. Thanks to the generous support of donors, readers and corporations…grants are made to qualified nonprofit organizations that focus on children and youth, health and wellness, homelessness and hunger.

Grant Making Focus Areas

Children and Youth

All children should have the chance to succeed in life and opportunities to help them reach their full potential by being on track for success in the classroom and in life.

Funding will focus mainly on out-of-school time programs that support the development of children and youth in the community, ages 5 – 18. Programs must be evidence-based and demonstrate positive outcomes in academic achievement and/or social and emotional development and show ongoing relationships with children/ youth beyond a one-time encounter. Programs must also focus on youth with barriers to success, serving at least 60% who qualify for free and reduced lunch or other low-income indicator.

Health and Wellness

Everyone deserves access to services that help them be healthy, including physical, behavioral and dental health care.

Funding will focus on established programs providing access to affordable, high-quality health care services for low-income residents in under-served communities. Programs of interest include community health centers serving under- and uninsured populations that provide integrated care and K-12 school-based health centers in schools where at least 60% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Organizations must be able to demonstrate positive health outcomes for clients in addition to other output measures.

Homelessness

The issue of homelessness persists in our community and providing housing and services is important in working to end homelessness and support families and individuals.

This funding area supports prevention services and/or long-term housing strategies with multiple wrap-around services for individuals and families. Eligible programs include homelessness prevention programs that provide short-term financial support (i.e. rent, utilities, mortgage) to maintain current housing and supportive and transitional housing (six months or more) with additional supporting services. Programs must effectively demonstrate impact by tracking clients who are able to maintain housing and/or those who transition into and maintain more permanent and/or stable housing.

Hunger

Families and individuals deserve access to nutritious, supplemental food in order to meet their daily needs and to help support them in work and school.

Funding priority is given to established providers with large-scale programs or initiatives that reduce food insecurity. Eligible organizations and programs must meet the following criteria: effectively use data to make organizational decisions; provide client-choice services; offer nutritious food options; work in geographic areas where gaps for and access to nutritional services exist; support enrollment in SNAP/benefit programs; and provide warm referrals to other community supports.

Guidelines for Funding Consideration

Season To Share supports eligible nonprofit organizations and programs that help low-income children, youth and families access services to overcome obstacles impeding progress out of poverty and towards stabilization and self-sufficiency.

Funding consideration is given once per year to programs that meet criteria in one of the issue areas already mentioned. There is a competitive application review process and funding is not guaranteed to any organization, returning or newly invited.

2024/25 Grant Application Process

Letters of Inquiry for the 2024/25 Season To Share grant cycle will be accepted from May 15 – June 30, 2024.

Season To Share grantees from the past three years, do not need to submit an LOI unless you are applying for a new program.

The Denver Post Season To Share is a competitive and limited grant opportunity.

*Full grant applications are by invitation only. If you have any questions, please email us at dpcommunity@denverpost.com.

Season To Share, a program of The Denver Post Community Foundation, uses an online application process that mirrors the Colorado Common Grant application questions and attachments.

Funding requests must not exceed 10% of the general operating budget for the organization or if requesting program support, 30% of the program budget.

Application Requirements

Eligible organizations/programs will:
 Meet the specific grant making criteria in one funding area
 Have active 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt status (IRS letter dated within the last 5 years)
 Demonstrate one full year of program services and financial reporting
 Report strong measurable outcomes
 Have clearly presented goals, objectives and strategies
 Show sustainable and diversified funding streams
 Demonstrate a solid, stable financial position
 Serve vulnerable and low-income residents of the Denver metropolitan area (restricted to Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties)

Ineligible funding requests include:
 Capital campaigns or endowments or other reserve funds
 Public or private schools
 Government agencies
 Programs that do not fit funding guidelines or grant making strategies
 Organizations that practice discrimination of any kind
 Other foundations or nonprofits that distribute money to recipients of its own selection
 Individuals
 Religious organizations in support of religious programs
 Research projects or programs
 Influencing legislation or supporting candidates for political office
 Start-up funding

For more information, please email dpcommunity@denverpost.com or call 303-954-3001.