Grant Guidelines
The Foundation focuses primarily on mission-related, targeted priorities and proactively seeks organizations and programs to support.
Working cooperatively with other agencies and organizations, the Foundation identifies community needs that can be significantly impacted by contributing financial and other resources.
For the FY 2026-2027 funding cycle, guidelines will be published by March 1, 2026 and the application is now available. *NEW THIS YEAR* Both first-time and returning applicants must schedule a pre-application virtual call with CSOF’s Executive Director before accessing the grant application. Failure to do so will result in an automatic funding denial of your proposal.
Pre-application calls can be scheduled online and will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. CSOF requests a minimum of 48 hours notice when scheduling your time slot.
Grant Priorities
The Foundation’s focus on improving the health and well-being of our community is broad. Targeted priorities in the area of health and well-being of our community include the categories listed below in the Pikes Peak Region (El Paso and Teller Counties). Guidelines for the July 1, 2026-2027 fiscal year grant cycle will be published by March 1, 2026. Applications will be accepted between March 13 – May 31.
- Access to health and human service programs which promote the physical, emotional, mental and behavioral health of the underserved
- Direct health care services for the underserved
- Upstream preventive care and service strategies for health equity focusing on the root causes of the conditions, illness or disease
- Partnering with other organizations to meet health and human service needs in our community
Grant Details
Grant Restrictions
Grants are made only to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with a 509 (a)(1) or 509 (a)(2) designation or governmental agencies. No grants are awarded to individuals or to organizations/programs utilizing a fiscal agent or sponsor. No grants are awarded for research. No grants are made to “pass through” nonprofit organizations.
At this time CSOF will not consider applications supporting housing or the arts.
Grant Types
Project support grants: funds a particular program or project with expected outcomes
General operating support: allows a grantee to decide how funds are used, though most grantees have conversations about expectations and intended outcomes.
Note: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide housing may not apply for a general operating grant. Please apply for a program or project grant for other services that satisfy one CSOF’s stated grant priorities
Capital support: for equipment and limited bricks & mortar
Challenge/matching grants: provides funds to an organization with the expectation (or on the condition) that additional funds are raised from other sources
Grant Funding Range
Generally between $5,000 and $25,000 per selected grantee. Multi-year grants or grants larger than $25,000 may be awarded; these are limited by invitation only.
Consecutive Award Limits
Nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive grant funding for three consecutive years. After three years of consecutive funding, the organization must take a year off before they are eligible to apply again.
Grant Cycle
Proposals should be received no later than May 31 at 11:59 PM (Mountain) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year grant cycle. Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Grant decisions are made in October.
Application Form and Process
CSOF utilizes an online grant application process. For the 2026-2027 grant cycle, the application portal will be available no later than April 1, 2026.
To access the CSOF’s online grant application, please click the button below. Organizations who have applied using CSOF’s online portal in the past should utilize their existing login. If you need help with your existing login, please contact CSOF at EDCEO@CSOF.org.
For first-time applications, you will be prompted to create an account. Please be certain to retain your login information for future reference. All communication related to your funding request will be sent to the email address associated with the organization’s login and profile.
Beginning in 2026, all applicants must schedule a pre-application phone call with CSOF’s Executive Director. Any application received without first conducting the required call will not be reviewed.
Please be sure to include all requested information by the stated application deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Completed applications will be reviewed by CSOF’s grant selection advisory committee. Applying organizations may be asked to conduct a site visit as part of the committee’s evaluation process. Organizations being considered for a multi-year award will be asked to present to the grant selection committee. Final funding decisions will be made in October 2026.
Grant applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on May 31, 2026.
Grant Recipients
$182,000.00 awarded in grants to 9 health and human service nonprofit organizations.
Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Grant Recipients
Care and Share Food Bank
$1,000 for Holiday Turkeys
www.careandshare.org
Children’s Hospital of Colorado Springs
$25,000 for Partial Hospitalization Program*
https://www.childrenscolorado.org/locations/colorado-springs-hospital/
Community Partnership Family Resource Center in Teller County
$15,000 for Strengthening Families in Teller County Program
www.cpteller.org
Dream Centers
$30,000 for Women’s Clinic Program
https://dreamcenters.com/
Peak Education
$20,000 for Health Navigator Program
https://www.peakedu.org/
The Place
$25,000 for Youth Outreach & Drop-in Services Program
https://theplacecos.org/
Silver Key Senior Services
$30,000 for Comprehensive Health & Wellness Wraparound Program
https://www.silverkey.org/
UCHealth Memorial Health System Foundation
$30,000 for Southern Colorado Whole Blood Initiative*
https://www.uchealthmemorialcares.org/wholeblood/
The Gazette Charities Empty Stocking Fund
$1,000 for Empty Stocking Fund
www.emptystockingfundco.org
*Indicates a multi-year grant award