Small grants available for local outdoor neighborhood and community projects
![The Small Grants for Community Partnering Logo](/sites/default/files/styles/360wide/public/2024-08/logo_small_grants_color_-_larimer_county_natural_resources_3.png?itok=CEwL3njZ)
LOVELAND, Colo. – The Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) is now accepting applications for a small grant program that awards money for nature-based neighborhood and community projects in Larimer County.
For 26 years, the Small Grants for Community Partnering Program has awarded grants to communities throughout the county using a portion of the Help Preserve Open Space sales tax. Since its inception, the small grants program has awarded more than $415,000 across 238 projects across Larimer County.
Past grants have gone to a variety of outdoor community-based projects from community garden improvements and outdoor classrooms to wetland restoration and removal of invasive species.
LCDNR is offering a Small Grants Program Webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 11:30 a.m. MST. At this meeting attendees will learn more about how the program works, important updates, how to submit a competitive application, and other tips.
Registration can be made through this link: https://bit.ly/45Y0Xj5
Applicants may request up to $4,000 per application for projects that take place in Larimer County. Projects must be shovel-ready for project completion by the end of 2025.
Returning non-profit organizations, HOAs, K-12 schools, and community-based organizations are invited to apply for seed money or capacity support for projects that fit into one of the five grant categories. These categories include:
- Projects that provide or enhance natural landscapes, including wildlife habitat, rivers, wetlands, outdoor community gathering spaces, neighborhood parks, greenbelts, lakes/ponds, etc.
- Projects that provide nature-based environmental education opportunities, including outdoor education signs and materials, outdoor classrooms, workshops, trainings, etc.
- Projects that create opportunities for people to connect with the land via providing access to nature for those experiencing barriers, including limited transit options and financial obstacles.
- Projects that create opportunities for people to connect with the land via local agricultural food production (projects that include practices around improving soil, water, habitat or community connection to agriculture)
- Research on Larimer County open spaces.
Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. Grant awards will be announced by February 2025.
The application link, guidelines and instructions, budget worksheet and all other information for the program can be accessed at: www.larimer.gov/small-grants
![Kids from American Adventure Sports Camp are at a picnic table learning about wildlife pelts.](/sites/default/files/styles/feat/public/spotlights/SmallGrantsImage1.JeanieSumrallAjero.jpeg?itok=iOAyfsMS)
Jennifer Almstead, Program Coordinator, Small Grants for Community Partnering
Larimer County Natural Resources
(970) 619-4569, jalmstead@larimer.org
Image above by Jeanie Sumrall-Ajero