Colorado Creates Grant

Your organization needs to:

• Be an arts-focused 501(c)(3) organization (review more information below) or an independent component of a program associated with a college, university, or unit of government (review more information below)
• Hold your primary business location in Colorado.
• Have supporting the arts as your organizational mission, including but not limited to visual, performing, literary, and media arts organizations.
• Have held public arts programs in Colorado for at least two years before the application deadline.
• Have a cash operating budget of at least $25,000 for your last completed fiscal year.
• Be registered in Good Standing with the Colorado Secretary of State and current with annual corporate reports and charitable solicitation registration.
• Organizations are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI or UEI SAM). A UEI reflects the organization's legal name and current physical address. See SAM.gov for more information about registering and renewing your entity. 
• Be current in reporting for other Colorado Creative Industries grants or programs.
• Show collaboration, a mutual investment of funds or other resources to the activity, with other organizations.

These organizations are not eligible:

• Organizations managing a state certified Colorado Creative District
• Organizations are required to sit out for one year after their year(s) of Colorado Creates funding. View your ineligibility status, (Google Doc).
• An organization whose primary purpose is to channel resources — financial, human, or other — to an affiliated organization may not apply if the affiliated organization submits an application, even if both organizations have their own 501(c)(3) status. For example, if the ABC Museum applies for the grant, Friends of ABC Museum may not also apply.

Arts-focused 501(c)(3) organizations

A qualified nonprofit organization has a stated and board-adopted mission specific to visual, performing, media, and literary arts. Examples include art museums, ceramic studios, community arts councils, creative writing programs, dance organizations, film festivals, music festivals, opera societies, orchestras and choral societies, photographic studios, quilting and fiber arts organizations, theatre groups, tribal cultural organizations, and visual arts centers.

Organizations that have other goals but include some arts programming are not eligible, unless they program and/or present proportionally-significant artistic or cultural programming in an area, or to a specific community with limited access. Mixed-use organizations must contact CCI well in advance of the grant deadline if they wish to be cleared to apply.

Generally, history museums, botanic gardens, preservation organizations, economic development and planning agencies, and therapeutic and social service agencies are not eligible, even if they have 501(c)(3) status.

Independent components

An independent component is a program of an organization, college/university, or a unit of government that is both programmatically and administratively distinct from its parent organization. If your organization falls into this category, contact Emma Acheson at Emma.Acheson@state.co.us.

To qualify as an independent component, your organization needs to: 

• Have a community-based independent board or advisory committee with substantial responsibility for oversight and management.
• Have a distinctive and separate mission from the parent organization.
• Have staff and volunteers explicitly for the independent component’s programs.
• Have a budget separate from the parent organization, producing a distinct set of financials as a part of the grant application.
• Provide programs or services open to the public.
• If affiliated with a university or college, document that the programs/services/activities serve 50% or more non-student or faculty audiences.

These do not qualify as independent components:

• Academic departments or schools of colleges and universities.
• Programs or projects of organizations, for example, “friends of” groups sponsored by the organization that are programs or fundraising bodies, not independent components.
• General city or county governments.

For example, a university academic program that primarily serves students, offers a major or minor, and has little external funding is not eligible for the Colorado Creates Grant. However, if the university has an art museum, the art museum is eligible for the grant if the museum serves the public, possesses organizational permanency, has programmatic autonomy, is managed by staff explicitly for the museum, is fiscally independent of other academic units, and has its own advisory board.

This grant is for general operating support for the presentation of public programming. The grant period is from the date of your award letter or the execution date of your grant agreement to June 30, 2026. Grantees will receive payment as a reimbursement after completing their final report, which is due between July 1 and August 15, 2026.

Part of the administrative costs directly associated with the proposed operations is allowed. Allowable operations and facilities expenses include:

• Facilities rent (home base of operations, not special program expenses)
• Operations costs
• Maintenance
• Insurance

Funds cannot be used for:

• Capital improvements
• New construction
• Renovation
• Restoration
• Purchase of major equipment
• Debt and deficit reduction
• Re-granting of grant funds
• Indirect costs

*All times are MST.

• Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Online application opens on the OEDIT portal
• Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Zoom Information Session with CCI staff 
• Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Online application closes
• June to July, 2025 Review panels evaluate applications
• August 2025 CCI Advisory Council reviews recommendations
• August to September 2025 Applicants notified of award or declination 
• September to November 2025 Procurement and contracting with grantees
• Award or contract date to June 30, 2026 Period of performance
• July 1 to August 15, 2026 Final report due on the OEDIT portal
• July to August 2026 Funding is disbursed as a reimbursement grant
• May 2026 to March 2027 Awarded grantees from the FY26 cycle are in their sit-out year and not eligible to apply for Colorado Creates funding in FY27
• March 2027 to May 2027 Awarded grantees from the FY26 cycle are eligible to apply again to Colorado Creates in FY28

Applications must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. MST on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. No exceptions will be made for late submissions. 

You can serve as the lead applicant for only one application. A fiscal agent like a bank or lender cannot submit the application on your behalf.

New users will need to register for an account on the OEDIT Grant Portal. 
All users are required to log into the portal and complete the online application. All support materials are uploaded into the online system. No hard copies or emailed copies of the application or support materials will be accepted unless there are reasonable accessibility concerns. We recommend that applicants register in the portal and review the online grant system with plenty of time before the deadline to allow staff proper time to assist with any questions or issues. See the guidelines for more details.

For additional help on using the online grant system, contact Katy Zeigler (she/they) at Kathryn.Zeigler@state.co.us or 720-910-2241.

Application process

The application process is:

1. Verify your eligibility. If you have questions, reach out to the program manager before you start the application. 
2. Register for a UEI number.
3. Review the Colorado Creates Guidelines (Google Doc) thoroughly. 
4. Apply for the grant through the OEDIT Grant portal. OEDIT grant portal instructions are included in the guidelines.

Application materials

Application materials consist of:

• Narrative questions
• Financial materials
• Support materials

Narrative questions

Each narrative question in the online application allows up to 2,275 characters (about 350 words). You should prepare answers to the narrative questions in a word processing or notepad document, check the character count and then cut-and-paste into the online application. This way you will not unexpectedly lose any work due to technical issues.

Narrative questions are grouped into three categories:

• Artistic excellence and merit
• Community involvement and impact
• Implementation capacity

Artist excellence and merit (40%)

1. Goals: Describe the organization's current goals (how you will specifically achieve the organization's mission).
2. Current Programs: Describe the organization's current programs. Include population, demographics, and numbers served.
3. Artistic Excellence and Merit: a) Discuss how your organization commits to high artistic, educational, and/or cultural standards including qualifications of key leaders and involvement and selection of artists and culture bearers. b) Are involved artists and collaborators compensated equitably?

Community involvement and impact (40%)

1. Community Engagement and Access:
   1. Describe the intended communities and participants served by your organization, and how they will benefit from your programming.
   2. Discuss how the organization engages individuals whose opportunities to experience the arts have been limited by factors such as their geography, economic status, and/or disability.
   3. How are you measuring and addressing your engagement with these communities in your strategic planning or otherwise?
2. Collaboration: Describe one or two specific, impactful, and preferably measurable collaborations or cooperative efforts with other organizations or community members. 

Implementation capacity (20%)

1. Planning and Structure:
   1. Describe how the organization engages in planning including challenges and opportunities expected in the next three years.
   2. What are the roles and responsibilities of the board?
   3. Please explain any major leadership or staff changes in the last year, and whether they were planned or unexpected.
2. Evaluation and Outcomes:
   1. Describe one or two specific measures (data or information collected) by which the organization evaluates its program and operations and measures its impact on the community you serve.
   2. Were the desired outcomes achieved? Summarize key evaluation results that demonstrate the organization’s progress toward its goals or desired impact.
3. Fiscal Management: 
   1. Has your financial or grant management system changed in the last year? If so, please describe the changes. 
   2. Explain how your organization tracks funding sources separately. 

Financial questions

1. Describe your organization's current financial state.
2. How did you arrive at your budget estimates? (explain any line items that are questionable or unclear).
3. If your organizational financials show large increases or decreases in line items, please explain. 
4. If you ended your most recent fiscal year with a deficit, describe the organization’s plan to eliminate the deficit and reach fiscal stability.

Financials materials

Your organization’s fiscal year is your organization’s budget year and usually starts at the beginning of a quarter or calendar year. Current year financials should be projections to the end of the current fiscal year, not financials year-to-date.

You will need to provide:

• Required: Income statement (with a line item for cash operating revenues) for the most recent fiscal year. The grant amount will be based on your Total Income/Revenue. 
• Required: Current fiscal year budget projections.
• Required: Newly generated Certificate of Good Standing from the Colorado Secretary of State signed in 2023 or within 365 days of the application deadline. Please do not upload a Certificate of Registration or a screenshot of the summary. 
• Independent Financial Audit and Findings Upload
• Only required if your organization received over $1 million in federal funds in the last two years. 

Additional Uploads and Artistic Support Materials

You will need to include these support materials:

• Required: Current organizational chart that includes segregation of duties*
• Required: Completed Project Funding Sheet
• Procurement Policy: Template provided on our manage your award page if needed
• Conflict of Interest Policy: Template provided on our manage your award page if needed
• At least one artistic support material attachment.
• Up to five additional work samples – reference each support item in the narrative so the panel understands why you included it.

You will also include additional materials depending on your discipline. Choose items that show artistic excellence/merit, community benefit, and implementation capacity. Reference each support item in the narrative so the panel can understand why you included it. Quality is more important than quantity.

Requirements by discipline are:

• Performing arts: provide at least one audio or video sample (up to three minutes) of performance. You may include photos to complement the samples, but do not substitute photos for live performance.
• Visual arts or crafts: provide, in one PDF, up to 20 images of artistic work.
• Literary: provide, in one PDF, a sample cover or homepage, table of contents, and short excerpts from up to three print or online publications.
• Film and media: provide audio, radio broadcasts, or video or media samples (up to three minutes). Address your organization’s history of community involvement and the amount and quality of locally- or regionally-developed/produced content in your work.
• Multidisciplinary: provide a balance of appropriate samples as described above – a variety of samples will help your application.
• Service: provide up to five examples of their services – can be in multiple formats and include agendas of workshops, instruction videos, bios of instructors, membership roster, or feedback from participants.

Selection process

This is a competitive award program, and not all applicants receive funding. Colorado Creative Industries staff review grants by region and use the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) peer-review process. 

A panel of three to five peer specialists in a variety of artistic disciplines, education, nonprofit management, community development, and business will review, score, and rank the application and support materials. The Creative Industries Advisory Council will review the panel’s recommendations. The Council finalizes the selections about three months after the application deadline. You will receive a decision via email.

Artistic excellence and merit (40%)

Panelists consider:

• Artistic samples 
• Mission and goals
• Artist involvement 

Community involvement and impact (40%)

Panelists consider:

• Collaboration
• Accessibility
• Population served
• Community support and engagement

Implementation capacity (20%)

Panelists consider:

• Financial information
• Planning and management

Applicants that want feedback on their applications can make an appointment for a debrief of panelists’ comments. We recommend that you take notes about how you could adjust future applications based on the feedback. Applicants will receive information on how to schedule a feedback call. 

Award distribution

In order to receive your funds, it is imperative that all costs defined in your report must be allowable, reasonable, and allocable in accordance with Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.402 through 2 CFR 200.411 and meet the general provisions for selected items of cost as defined by 2 CFR 200.420 through 2 CFR 200.475; State Fiscal Rule 3-1 governs all state contracts and Fiscal Rule 2-2 governs all Commitment Vouchers. NO services or work can be started or performed without a signed Purchase Order or Contract per State fiscal and procurement rules if your grant award is more than $10,000.

$6,000-$10,000 Level Grants Procurement Process

Grantees who receive funding in amounts in the $6,000 to $10,000 award range will be required to submit the following materials after receiving their award letter in order to start their work:

• Completed W-9 Form
• Completed EFT Form
• Voided check or signed bank letter for the account listed on the EFT form
• Conflict of interest form with the State of Colorado

Grantees will receive payment as a reimbursement after completing their final report, which is due between July 1 and August 15, 2026.

$12,000-$14,000 Level Grant Procurement Process

Grantees who receive funding in amounts between $12,000 and $14,000 will be required to complete a formal grant agreement or purchase order (PO). After the award notification, grantees will be required to submit the following material. Following submission of proper insurance certificates, an executed Purchase Order will be sent to the grantee. At that point eligible reimbursable expenses and activities outlined in the PO can begin: 

• Completed W-9 Form.
• Completed EFT Form.
• Voided check or signed bank letter for the account listed on the EFT form.
• Conflict of interest form with the State of Colorado.
• Certificates of Insurance: At minimum we will require the following
  • Workers’ Compensation Insurance as required by State Statute, and Employer’s Liability Insurance covering all of contractor’s or subcontractor employees acting within the course and scope of their employment.
  • General Liability Insurance covering premises operations, fire damage, independent contractors, products and completed operations, blanket contractual liability, personal injury, and advertising liability with minimum limits. 
  • Subrogation Waiver: All insurance policies secured or maintained by Contractor or its Subcontractors in relation to this Contract shall include clauses stating that each carrier shall waive all rights of recovery under subrogation or otherwise against Contractor or the State, its agencies, institutions, organizations, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers.

Grantees will receive payment as a reimbursement after completing their final report, which is due between July 1 and August 15, 2026.

Grant recipients will be required to submit a final report outlining eligible expenses and activities in order to receive their funding as a reimbursement. Grant recipients who do not submit their reports on time will not receive their funding and are ineligible for further Creative Industries funding.

Creative Industries has the right to withhold, reduce or cancel grants if an applicant does any of the following:

• Misses deadlines for grant reports.
• Does not notify the CCI of significant management changes or instances of fraud or embezzlement.
• Fails to comply with the terms of the grant award requirements.
• Demonstrates inadequate financial management and oversight.
• Does not properly credit CCI support.

Additionally, grantees will be monitored during the course of the period of performance. Grantees will receive notice of monitoring in advance. Grantees are encouraged to submit all optional requested materials in order to determine monitoring requirements for the grant. Awarded grantees who do not submit optional materials will be required to complete them during the final report.
Grant funding and fund restrictions are subject to future federal actions. Grant funding is not guaranteed until funds are appropriated and disbursed.
As a condition of the grant, Colorado Creative Industries requires the recipient of public funds to comply with all state and federal laws and regulations. Those terms and conditions can be found here: State CCI Terms and Conditions (Google Doc), State Procurement Conditions, Federal Terms and Conditions (Google Doc) and Federal Provisions.

All material submitted regarding application for grant funds becomes the property of the State of Colorado and is subject to the terms of Colorado Revised Statutes 24-72-201 through 24-72-206, Public Open Records. The State of Colorado has the right to use any or all information/material presented in reply to the Announcement, subject to limitations for proprietary or confidential information. Disqualification or denial of the application does not eliminate this right. Any restrictions on the use or inspection of material contained within the proposal shall be clearly stated in the proposal itself. The contents of the application will become contractual obligations if the project is funded.

Audit: All applications accepted for funding become official records of the State of Colorado and are subject to an audit. CCI requires open access to accounting records for up to three years after the final report is submitted for funds expended under the terms of contract award for the purpose of audit examination, reference or transcription.

Credit/Acknowledgment: Grantee agrees that a current CCI logo will be included in all announcements and promotional materials and efforts will be made to publicly credit CCI support in any public events related to the funding program and activities. Recipients may also use the current National Endowment for the Arts logo if desired.

Accessibility: Grantees are required to complete the CCI Grantee Accessibility Checklist form, Open Door Arts Self-Assessment, the NEA 504 Self-Evaluation Handbook, or another equivalent self-evaluation during the grant period. Grantees must keep this on file for the three years of the grant.

Letters of Recognition: Grantee agrees to send a letter to their state legislators, informing them of the importance of State funding. Grantees are strongly encouraged to join the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Arts Action Network, to ensure that arts, culture and the creative industries are valued and supported by policymakers and voters.

Not applying for the FY26 grant? This is an excellent opportunity to become a review panelist for this cycle! As a reviewer, you will have the opportunity to network and gain connections, learn the ins and outs of the grant process from a different perspective, and make a difference in the Colorado creative economy!

Panelists include artists, arts administrators, and community leaders who represent diverse geographic, ethnic, philosophical, and aesthetic perspectives.

Learn about the panelist experience through video interviews (YouTube) with past reviewers.

Panelists review Colorado Creates Grant applications with:

• Individual online reading and commenting on applications (10 to 20 hours)
• An online virtual meeting with the panel to discuss funding recommendations (1 to 4 hours)

Apply to be a review panelist