Guidelines

Guidelines

The Foundation has tried to ensure that the process of applying for a grant is clear and straightforward.

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First, we require a completed grant-application form. We’ve developed a simple form to save both applicant and board time. If we need more information or want to make a site visit, we will contact you.

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Second, all applications must be accompanied by a copy of an active 501 (c) (3) nonprofit IRS determination letter.

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Third, all applications must include a copy of the first page of the applicant organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.

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Fourth, we need a list of all members of the organization’s board of directors.

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Fifth, we need to know the title of the person signing the application.

We prefer grants for capital projects, specific programs, and joint ventures with other funders. In our decision making, a greater number of people served usually takes precedence over a lesser number served. Similarly, service to the general population usually takes precedence over service to a special group.

The Foundation’s grants fall into two categories: large grants ($10,000 or more) and small grants (less than $10,000). Grants greater than $50,000 will, in most instances, be part of an advocacy project, and full funding will take place over several years.

Due to numerous large capital projects we are currently not accepting grant applications.

Geographic Focus

The Erion Family Foundation’s geographic focus primarily centers on Northern Colorado, allowing them to directly impact and strengthen the local nonprofit sector. This concentrated effort reflects a commitment to making a meaningful difference within the community they call home.

Within Northern Colorado, the foundation has identified two key focus areas for support: education and housing. These areas represent critical pillars for community development and well-being, fostering opportunities for growth and stability

Areas of Interest

The Foundation balances its grant making between five general areas. Our current focus is Education and Housing

Major Project Advocacy

Approximately half of our designated grant funds are intended for large multi-year projects, with a focus on projects that will have a demonstrably positive economic impact. Those projects include but aren’t limited to swimming pools, library, hospitals, and museums.

Health and Welfare

Typical grants in this area go to hospitals, clinics, emergency support services, and senior services.

Basic Needs

Typical grants go to homeless shelters, food banks, family support services, and soup kitchens.

Education

Typical grants go to school districts, early childhood learning programs, special needs education, and educational building funds.

Culture and Community

Typical grants go to museums, arts advocacy, university arts programs, cultural events, other community events, and community organizations.

Leverage Through Partnership

We like to join with other grantors, corporate leaders, community organizations, and governmental subdivisions to effect synergies that will improve the community. We recognize challenge grants and matching grants as important tools to encourage broad-based community support.

Family Volunteer Grants

Each year the Foundation encourages extended and far-removed family members to volunteer in their communities by offering grants to local agencies based on the hours family members volunteer to them.

Legacy Grants

The Erion Foundation established three legacy grants that are the only operations grants: the House of Neighborly Service, Meals on Wheels, and The Community Kitchen, all located in Loveland.

What We Don’t Fund

The Foundation does not accept grant applications for the following:

  • private foundations
  • organizations that don’t have fiscal responsibility for the proposed project
  • any non-501(c)(3) organizations, with the exception of city, county, and state governments and institutions
  • religious programs or organizations
  • political programs or organizations
  • private schools
  • debt reduction or deficit reduction
  • operating or survival funding for individuals or organizations
  • individuals

Board Member Contact

We discourage contacting individual board members to champion a specific project or grant application. In a small community, such contacts often put board members in an uncomfortable position, and that contact will not affect the outcome of the application.

Project Advocacy

Although we often advocate for projects that the Foundation supports, we plan to focus our advocacy on projects we conceive, develop, and build in our areas of particular interest.

We Are Dedicated

We require a completed grant application form. We’ve developed a simple form to save both applicant and board time. If you need more information contact us today!