Colorado Tourism Office
Marketing Matching Grant Program – Deadline Sept. 15
The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), a division of the Office of Economic Development and International Office (OEDIT), is now accepting applications for the Marketing Matching Grant Program from Colorado not-for-profit organizations looking for assistance with tourism promotion. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 15. The annual competitive grant program offers financial assistance to Colorado’s tourism industry for the purpose of enhancing marketing efforts to attract visitors to the state. The program will award up to $600,000 in grants. Travel regions throughout the state are eligible for these grant dollars, as well as statewide associations, organizations and other nonprofit entities that engage in promoting travel throughout Colorado. The CTO Marketing Matching Grant Program is meant to provide funding to Colorado not-for-profit organizations for the purpose of promoting the state or a region as a tourism destination. Click here for more information or contact Elizabeth O’Rear at 303-892-3893 or elizabeth.orear@state.co.us.

Small Manufactures Advantage Program:
Providing Integrated Support to Small Manufacturers across Colorado
Small Manufacturer’s Advantage (SMA) is a partnership providing integrated support to small manufacturers across Colorado by leveraging funding from and the coordination of key strategic organizations such as Manufacturer’s Edge, the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC), the State of Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the World Trade Center (WTC), and the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). SMA leverages state and federal funds to bring industry experts to provide coaching, consultation, and/or training based on the challenges each company is facing. This expertise could be in business finance, marketing, operational excellence, growth services, export assistance, and beyond.

Are you a manufacturer? Is your company located in Colorado? Do you have fewer than 20 full-time employees? Can you demonstrate support and commitment to implementing recommendations in order to maximize results and improve your business? Are you willing and able to report impact data to Manufacturer’s Edge and SBDC? If yes to these questions you may qualify. Click here for more information and to apply.

Arts in Society Grants for social justice project
Arts in Society is a collaborative grant making program established by Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Hemera Foundation and Colorado Creative Industries in partnership with RedLine Contemporary Art Center. The program is designed to build capacity for social practice projects that implement artistic excellence to engage social issues.

Eligibility Snapshot: Nonprofits and individuals residing in Colorado; You do NOT need to be an arts organization; applications from non-arts organizations such as human service groups, neighborhood organizations, or health care organizations (as examples) are encouraged. Deadline: 9/11/17. Learn more at http://www.redlineart.org/arts-in-society.

Grants available for current and aspiring Colorado exporters in the Advanced Industries
The Advanced Industries (AI) Export Accelerator Grant program is now accepting applications from current and aspiring Colorado exporters in the Advanced Industries who are looking to offset international business development and marketing costs. Grants are available for up to $15,000 for eligible costs for small and medium-sized AI businesses in aerospace, infrastructure engineering, advanced manufacturing, energy and natural resources, bioscience, electronics, and technology and information.

Grants can be used to help cover the costs of trade missions and trade shows, translation services for a contract or official document, intellectual property protection, conducting due diligence or credit reviews on potential buyers or distributors, and production and design of international marketing materials.
The application and eligibility requirements are available here. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Projects and/or travel must be complete by June 30, 2018. Questions can be emailed to Laura Brindle at laura.brindle@state.co.us.

CO Energy Office Releases Funds for Energy and Water
The Colorado Energy Office, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, is releasing $500,000 in project assistance funds through the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Click here for more information.

National Endowment for the Arts – Our Town Grant Program
Grants will support arts engagement, cultural planning and design projects. Deadline: 9/11/2017. Click here for more information and to review funding guidelines.

Walmart Foundation State Giving Program
Awards grants to nonprofit organizations for programs that give individuals access to a better life. Hunger Relief supporting programs such as food pantries, backpack programs, and SNAP outreach; and Community Engagement supporting other programs that focus on the unmet needs of underserved low-income populations. Deadline: applications accepted from 8/7/2017 through 8/11/2017. Visit the Foundation’s website here to learn more about the State Giving Program.

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation
Grants through the Foundation’s Community Partners grant program to nonprofit organizations and local municipalities undertaking high-need projects such as building renovations and upgrades, grounds improvements, technology upgrades and safety improvements. Grants range from $2,001 to $100,000. Deadline: 8/25/2017. More information here.