Aspen’s nonprofit grant program opens with updated policies

The city of Aspen’s 2025 nonprofit grant cycle has opened, this year with updated policies to ensure funds go directly to the Roaring Fork Valley.

Since 1996, the city has distributed more than $31 million in grant funding to local nonprofits, according to a press release. This year, its nonprofit grant program, which is one of the most generous in the country per capita, has updated several policies based on feedback from Aspen City Council and recommendations from the city’s Grants Steering Committee. 

All applicants must now demonstrate that grant funds directly support programs and services delivered within the Aspen-to-Glenwood corridor and that funds are used in ways to primarily benefit residents and the local workforce. 

“These refinements ensure that grant funds have the most positive impact as possible in our community while ensuring that the program continues to reflect best practices in municipal grantmaking,” John Barker, the director of the city’s strategy and innovation office, said in the release. “We are proud to offer a program that is transparent, meaningful, and easy to participate in.” 

Nonprofits with a physical presence or majority of services within the Aspen Urban Growth Boundary are eligible for larger grant awards than applications whose primary service area is elsewhere in the Roaring Fork Valley, the press release confirms. This means Aspen-based arts and culture organizations will be eligible for grants up to $100,000, while those outside Aspen may receive up to $75,000. Community nonprofit applicants based in Aspen can receive up to $50,000, compared to $37,500 for others.  

The updated funding structure will guarantee up to 25 $5,000 grants to eligible organizations that meet performance criteria in order “to better align with the program’s dual goals of broad community support and meaningful impact,” according to the release. The city will also prioritize larger, competitive awards for top-performing nonprofits.

“This change enables the city to support a wide range of organizations while directing substantial resources toward those applications deemed most impactful by community reviewers,” the press release states.

Aspen is moving toward multi-year funding with the aim of improving stability and reducing administrative burden for nonprofit organizations. Beginning this year, arts and culture division grants will be awarded for two years, while community nonprofit and health and human services grants will remain annual for now.

The city will also continue to provide training opportunities for applicants through virtual and in-person sessions. An information session will be held in person at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14, in the Pearl Pass conference room on the third floor of City Hall, 427 Rio Grande Place. Interested parties can RSVP at forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=EgdXxMqkNEy8B4Q3xfDGXkO8J-vgZ4RPpCajiNtX9SVUODIzNjRZNUk0Q1dXWVZJV0NSQVlSSjk2Ny4u&route=shorturl.

“Aspen’s nonprofit grant program plays a vital role in supporting organizations that enrich community life,” Barker said, “from performing arts and education to social services and environmental programs.”

For more information on the city of Aspen’s grants program, eligibility, and application resources, go to aspen.gov/383/grants.