Strengthening Neighborhoods


We’re helping build community capacity.


We know that residents have the best insight into how to improve life in their communities. We also know that communities have many strengths, including their people, institutions, and public resources. That’s why our Strengthening Neighborhoods program supports community leaders in working together and leading solutions for their communities.

 

About the program

Strengthening Neighborhoods was founded in 1996 in response to community input about how The Denver Foundation could expand its impact by investing in neighborhood and community capacity. Strengthening Neighborhoods awards grants are usually a maximum of $5,000. The average grant size is $2,500. Grants are made for use in community-led projects that address one or more of our goals. Strengthening Neighborhoods’ goal is to support communities of color and communities with lower incomes throughout the seven counties of Metro Denver.

The importance of endowment


In celebration of our 100th anniversary, we created the Strengthening Neighborhoods Endowment Fund to complement the original fund. This endowed fund will be a permanent revenue stream for Strengthening Neighborhoods, ensuring we can continue to fund these important community-led efforts forever.

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How to apply


Celebrating 25 years of Strengthening Neighborhoods


Meet Our Grantees


Shifting philanthropy through trust and community leadership

For the first 11 years, The Denver Foundation was Cultivando’s sole funder. Over time, Cultivando’s success attracted additional funders, establishing the community-led model as a trusted approach to driving change throughout Colorado. Today, The Denver Foundation has funded Cultivando for 27 years.

Pictured: Cultivando, Strengthening Neighborhoods grantee.