Applying for a Chinook Fund Grant
Chinook Fund seeds community-led, systemic change by mobilizing resources for and trusting in grassroots social justice organizations across Colorado. With 36 years of social impact, Chinook Fund has distributed $5 million to over 500 organizations. Honoring our racial justice commitment, 90 percent of grantee groups were led by Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. Grants range from $4,000 to $10,000 and are selected from community members in The Giving Project. The next application deadline is February 13, 2025.
Spring Giving Project members reviewing grant applications
Grant Application Portal Info & FAQ
Chinook Fund seeds community-led, systemic change by mobilizing resources for and trusting in grassroots social justice organizations across Colorado. With 36 years of social impact, Chinook Fund has distributed $5 million to over 500 organizations. Honoring our racial justice commitment, 90 percent of grantee groups were led by Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. Grants range from $4,000 to $10,000 and are selected from community members in The Giving Project. The next application deadline is February 13, 2025.
Apply information
Grant deadline for Spring 2025 cycle is February 13, 2025. Applicants will hear back by July 2025.
Each cycle we offer Grant Application Workshops. Click here for the Grant Workshop Registration webpage, including a past recorded workshop and information on next dates.
We give grantees money, it is true, but also something else. A grant from Chinook Fund draws groups closer to Colorado’s progressive social change movement, via our unique grassroots community-led grantmaking process in which applicants meet each other and meet the grantmakers, who are also working in Colorado’s progressive social change movement.
Will your group be able to apply for a grant?
We prioritize proposals with leadership and constituency from historically marginalized communities and work that engages in Community Organizing (see definition in drop down below). We look for work that is collaborative, risk taking, and strategic. We fund groups with budgets under $350,000, and look for organizations with diverse funding sources. We accept proposals from groups without 501c3 status as long as they have a fiscal sponsor.
Please note, for organizations that applied in the last cycle (Fall 2024), you will next be eligible to apply for a grant from Chinook Fund in Fall 2025 (unless special accommodations were made by Chinook Fund staff).
For more information on the grant application process, please see the drop downs below.
Application Process
FUNDING CRITERIA
Chinook funds organizations working to challenge the root causes of oppression, rather than treating the symptoms. Chinook believes the root causes of our most serious social problems include systemic racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ableism and ageism. We identify effective social change as efforts that strive to include these key elements:
- Constituent-Led: The work is led by the people most impacted by injustice. Unlike a traditional charity model, we believe that those most affected by the issue have the vision and solutions for their own liberation – and that the development of their leadership, skills, and power should be prioritized. (How does the organization demonstrate their work is driven by the people it affects? Does leadership make-up reflect the people most affected by an issue or oppression holding roles where they can shape the strategies and terms of their own liberation? FOR YOUTH ORGANIZING: How is youth voice being incorporated into leadership? Is there a youth advisory board or other decision-making body?)
- Community-Wide: The work reflects all members of the constituency, especially those who experience multiple forms of oppression. This ensures that change for the community leaves no one behind, especially for those who have less privilege within the community. (Does the organization work towards change that will affect all members of a constituency that are exploited, oppressed, or marginalized – taking into account those that face multiple oppressions? Is the organization working to build a multi-racial, multi-class, multi-gendered social justice movement?)
- Lasting Effect: The work makes change not just for one individual today, but for the community as a whole, and for future generations. Generally this means organizing collective action to change systems and institutions. (Will the proposed work help build concrete and lasting political power to address the underlying causes of the problems that it addresses? How does this organization define the root cause of the issue they are working to change?)
NOTE: Our anti-oppression frameworks in the Giving Project model position Black Liberation & Indigenous Sovereignty as our national priority. This is not the only type of work Chinook will fund, but these are the communities and voices we are centering in our work, internally and externally.
For additional information, including definitions and explanation of identities, click here to download a supplemental packet.
All successful applicants must:
- Be based in communities facing injustice or oppression, including but not limited to: communities of color, low-income communities, LGBTQ communities, disabilities communities, immigrant communities.
- Have democratic leadership, decision-making and organizing that is led by and accountable to people most directly impacted by the issue or injustice
- Demonstrate that the work can lead to permanent progressive change for their community
- Be engaged in efforts to dismantle privilege and oppression within their organization and community
- Be based in Colorado (with possible exceptions made for regional indigenous groups)
- Have an annual budget of $350,000 or less
Priority is given to organizations that are:
- Engaging in Community Organizing Work (definition in menu below);
- Collaborative or working in alliance with other progressive groups as a way to build multiple strategies for bringing social change;
- Risk-taking by doing work that may be controversial, marginalized, and/or new and emerging;
- Strategic and working with a long-term vision which clearly links to current plans;
- Achieving concrete success which has positively impacted the community;
- Raise money from multiple sources throughout the community, such as foundations, businesses, individuals, special events, and income generating projects.
Organization Status
Chinook Fund supports non-profit organizations, including those that do not have 501(c)3 status. Fiscal sponsorship for those organizations without tax-exempt status is recommended but not required. If a fiscal sponsor is not used, an organizational bank account is required.
To comply with IRS regulations, Chinook Fund cannot:
- Fund organizations involved in electoral campaigns;
- Contribute substantially to support lobbying at the federal, state, or local levels; or
- Support private, in contrast to public, interest.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
Chinook Fund defines Community Organizing as:
the process of bringing affected people together to use their collective power to win improvements in their community and change the power structure to advance social justice.
Components and examples of Community Organizing work:
- Led by the people most directly affected by the issues the organization is working on.
- Continually builds leadership from within its own membership, base, or community.
- Works to understand and address the root causes of the issues, not just the symptoms.
- Brings people together to build power they wouldn’t have individually.
- Uses that power to create systemic change, which includes altering unjust power relations.
- Sees itself as a part of a larger movement for social change and works towards strengthening that movement.
- Has clear demands for systems or policy change that are backed by community support.
A note on Cultural Organizing & Healing Justice:
Cultural Organizing:
Cultural organizing integrates arts and culture into organizing strategies. It is also about organizing from a particular tradition, cultural identity, community of place, or worldview.
Healing Justice:
How oppressed communities holistically respond to and intervene on generational trauma and violence, and how they innovate collective practices that can impact and transform the consequences of oppression on their bodies, hearts, and minds.
GRANTMAKING PROCESS
We convene a group of community activists who have direct experience working for social justice on the ground to lead decision-making around all of our funding. We are constantly working to ensure that our grantmaking committee is representative of the diverse communities, issues, and regions we fund, and we partner with donors/allies who follow the lead of activists. This means that Chinook is led by, and accountable to, the communities we serve – just as we require our grantees to be. And it means our committee is ideally suited to ensure that Chinook targets its resources to the organizations with the most potential and the best track record for making effective social change in Colorado.
Giving Project cohort members review all proposals, conduct site visits, and make funding decisions using a unique consensus-based process. In all its deliberations, the committee is bent towards determining which organizations will transform society into a just and free environment for all people.
Types of Funding
Start-Up Grants are available to groups that are less than 4 years old. Groups must demonstrate a vision and plan for meeting Chinook Fund criteria, but do not need a proven track record of success. Groups can apply multiple times in this category, as long as they are less than 4 years old. The maximum grant award is $4,000.
Established Grants are available to any group, but the competition for grants is tougher, as it includes organizations that have been working successfully on social justice issues for a number of years. The maximum grant award is $10,000.
Multi-Year Grants will be considered for organizations who apply in the Established category, have been funded at least twice during the last 3 years, and who receive the highest level of funding in the current cycle.
Funding Cycles and Proposal Deadlines
Chinook typically awards grants twice a year. Deadlines for proposals are usually in February and September. Grants are dispersed in June and February. Grants must be submitted via our online portal by midnight on the application deadline.
Orientation for New Grantseekers
Are you a new grantseeker or a past grantee that needs a refresher on the grant application process? If your organization or grantwriter is new to Chinook Fund, we strongly recommend attending our Grant Application workshop where we will give an introduction to Chinook Fund, funding criteria and an overview of the new grant application process. While we understand small non-profits are usually very busy, we guarantee that this will save you time, effort and money in the long run. This workshop will help you to determine if you are eligible to apply for a Chinook Fund grant and teach you some basics in writing a successful Chinook Fund application. The workshop is free. Bring a brown bag lunch and join us at our office for a hands-on training.
Workshops are held a month before the grant deadline. For information on upcoming workshops, visit the Grant Application Workshop page.
How to Apply
Please visit our online grant application portal.
To assist prospective applicants in better understanding our revised Funding Guidelines and Funding Processes, and to make a Grant Application Workshop readily accessible to applicants outside of the Denver Metro Area, we have devised a 3-part Online Grant Application Workshop Series.
- Part One
Explores: the Chinook Fund’s history, values and philosophy; how grantmaking decisions are made; and background. - Part Two
Examines: the Chinook Fund’s three key funding criteria; additional guidelines; funding categories, multi-year grants, and funding deadlines. - Part Three
Details: the grant application forms, including the budget form, diversity chart, and final checklist.
Grants must be submitted through our online grant portal – click here to access our online grant portal.
We’ve created a useful applicant tutorial, please click here to download the applicant tutorial pdf.
GRANT APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Orientation for New Grantseekers
Are you a new grantseeker or a past grantee that needs a refresher on the grant application process? If your organization or grantwriter is new to Chinook Fund, we strongly recommend attending our Grant Application workshop where we will give an introduction to Chinook Fund, funding criteria and an overview of the new grant application process. While we understand small non-profits are usually very busy, we guarantee that this will save you time, effort and money in the long run. This workshop will help you to determine if you are eligible to apply for a Chinook Fund grant and teach you some basics in writing a successful Chinook Fund application. The workshop is free.
Register for the next grant application workshop or watch a recording of the latest workshop here.
Technical FAQ
GETTING STARTED
For ease of use, we have created a guide for how applicants will use the system. You can find the Grant Portal Tutorial Guide here.
What internet browser do you recommend I use?
You may use any browser, but we recommend Google Chrome 14 or higher, or Safari 4 or higher. We do not recommend Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer.
Can I fax or email my proposal?
Our grant system has moved to this software, so this is where we will be accepting applications for and administering grants. We have tried to make it as user-friendly as possible and included user guides, but if you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Grants Manager at grants@chinookfund.org.
My eligibility quiz failed so I cannot access the application. What are my options?
The eligibility quiz is designed to screen out applicants who do not meet one of our location or endowment requirements. If you find that your quiz result was incorrect, please reach out to Grants Manager.
FILE UPLOAD
What is the maximum allowable file size?
The file size limit is noted next to the Upload a File button and the system will not accept files greater than this limit. Some users have trouble with appropriate settings on a scanner and end up with larger file sizes. If your file size is too large, you may want to save a condensed version of it and try again.
What file types are acceptable to upload?
Any file type is acceptable, but we prefer PDFs or Microsoft product documents.
How do I delete a file that I’ve uploaded to my application?
There are two ways to remove an uploaded file from an application:
- Once the file has been uploaded a Delete File button will appear beside the file name. Clicking this button will remove the file.
- To replace the file a new file can be uploaded in its place. Click on the Upload a File button to upload the correct file to the question and replace the original one.
Can I upload more than one file per upload field?
Applicants can only upload a single file in response to an upload question. If an applicant has more than one file they need to upload, they need to combine the files either electronically or via scanning. There are two methods applicants can use:
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- If the files to be uploaded are in a format that is editable (such as Word or Excel), the applicant may take multiple Word documents or Excel sheets and combine them into one file.
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If you are experiencing a significant barrier to merging and uploading files, contact grants@chinookfund.org or 303-455-6905 to make alternate arrangements.
How should I name my files?
You should give each file a name that identifies your organization and the type of required document it represents. For example, a file representing your budget for the previous fiscal year could be named “OrgName-budget FY2024”. Do not use any symbols except for a period or a dash, as symbols can interfere with the upload process.
I do not have the required attachments in file form. Can I deliver them to you?
As much as we love visits from people with documents for us, we would prefer that you do not deliver them to us. The online system will not allow you to submit your application unless you attach the required materials. If you do not have the documents electronically, you can scan the information into a PDF file. If you do not have a scanner at your organization, you can scan your documents at a copy shop or a public library.
If you are experiencing a significant barrier to obtaining an electronic copy of a file, please contact grants@chinookfund.org or 303-455-6905 to make alternate arrangements.
FINANCE AND BUDGET
What is a “fiscal year start date”?
The term “fiscal year” refers to the twelve-month period or financial calendar that your organization uses, which aren’t necessarily the same for each organization. Your accounting staff, board treasurer, or bookkeeper should be able to tell you when your fiscal year starts and ends.
We’re a start-up with no financial history. How do we complete the finances portion of the application?
Estimate the amount of in-kind support and volunteer hours your organization has received, or, if that is not applicable, write “0.”
Do I need a fiscal sponsor?
Not if you are a registered 501c3 organization. If you aren’t a 501c3 and don’t have a fiscal sponsor, please contact Grants Manager.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Why did I lose the edits I made to my application?
There are a few common reasons why this can happen:
- If you stay on one page for an extended period of time without saving, your account may “time out” without warning.
- A weak internet connection may momentarily disconnect your computer while you are working on the application.
As a safeguard, we recommend that you:
- Save your application often
- Cut and paste your application answers after each question into a Word document to save as backup.
To restore your edits, try:
- Re-loading your internet page, as sometimes the browser will cache an older version of your page.
- Logging out, wait a few minutes, and then log back in and re-open your application.
Why can’t I upload files?
Double check that there are no symbols in the file name, the file type and size are OK, then try one or more of these suggestions:
- Sometimes the problem can be a corrupt file. Try saving a new, renamed version of the document.
- Try saving your file as a different type. For instance, if you tried to upload a (.pdf) file, try uploading the original Word or Excel version of this document. If it is a Word (.doc or .docx) or Excel (.xls or .xlsx) document, try saving it as a (.pdf) file and then uploading this version. If you scanned a document to create a (.jpg) file, try saving it in a (.pdf) format instead.
- Use a different computer to do the upload
How can I print my application for my records?
If you would like a paper copy of your application for your own records, login to the application portal and choose the Application Packet link. This will create a PDF of your application. You can print or save this document. You will always have access to your application by logging back into the application portal, even after you submit it.
When will I hear back about my application?
If you are selected for a site visit to advance to the next stage of our application process, you will hear back from us by February (for Fall cycle applicants) or by June (for Spring cycle applicants) . If you are not selected, you will be notified March (for Fall cycle applicants) or July (for Spring cycle applicants).
When is my application due?
Our application has a soft deadline. For that reason, you may submit your application after the deadline has passed. The past due message will be reflected in orange, so you can still submit the form. However, please aim to submit before the application deadline.
Upcoming deadline: 2/13/2025
Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to us using the form below or via email at grants@chinookfund.org.