Funding Tiers & Application Deadlines

An organization and/or event may receive funding from one or more of the following three tiers as described below. Specific application deadlines are listed immediately following each tier. Requests must be for a minimum of $500. Funding is subject to the amount of available funds per funding session. The Cultural Resources Board reserves the right to not fund an organization if it does not fully meet the criteria.

Fort Fund will now only accept one application per organization per funding session. Colorado State University organizations are required to submit their applications through the Sponsored Programs Office.

All applications are to be submitted to the Lincoln Center Administration Office, 417 W. Magnolia, Fort Collins, CO, 80521 by 5p.m. on the date stated. Postmark does not qualify. Please direct all questions regarding the application process to Gail Budner at (970)  221-6737.  

Organizations are eligible to apply for funding from Tier #1 if they meet the following criteria:

1. The primary purpose of the organization is to present three or more different public performances, events or exhibits per year.
2. The organization has proven annual program success for three previous years.

Organizations that meet the criteria may apply for up to $15,000 per year (July 1 - June 30). The organization must submit a mission statement stating the organizations' officially accepted primary purpose; provide evidence of having presented three or more performances, events, or exhibits for three previous years; submit financial statements for the three most recently completed fiscal years; provide a list of the organization's current Board of Directors, their business/organizational affiliations, the date they were elected to the Board and their term limit date; and submit a Tourism Impact form. Fort Fund will only accept one Tier #1 application per organization per calendar year. Organizations that apply for this level of funding would have to show that no more than 35% of their projected expenses are coming from Fort Fund.

Proposal Deadline for Tier #1: First Tuesday of April, 5:00 p.m.

Requests must be for a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $15,000
Request amount cannot exceed 35% of the total projected expenses

Organizations that present event(s) may apply for up to $5,000 for a single event or series of events per funding session. Events would have to be held within one year of the funding session. Fort Fund will only accept one Tier #2 application per organization per funding session at which Tier #2 applications are accepted. The organization must submit a financial statement from the most recently completed fiscal year and submit a Tourism Impact form. Organizations funded under Tier #1 could apply one time per calendar year for up to $5,000 under Tier 2, but the event cannot also be funded under Tier 1. Organizations that apply for this level of funding would have to show that no more than 50% of their projected expenses are coming from Fort Fund.

Please note that Tier #3 has been combined with Tier #2. If you intended to apply for a Tier #3 grant, please refer to the Tier #2 guidelines and application form.

Proposal Deadline for Tier #2: First Tuesday of January, 5p.m.; First Tuesday of June 5p.m.

Requests must be for a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $5,000
Request amount cannot exceed 50% of the total event expenses

Organizations are eligible to apply for up to $25,000 from the CIF if they seek funding for an activity or event that will increase Fort Collins' identity as a cultural center and tourist destination. The term 'activity' can mean event, projects, products, exhibits, festivals, programs, etc. and can be in the area of arts, nature, heritage, recreation, science, and /or humanities. The event or activity must meet the eligibility requirements and the strategies outlined below:

CIF Strategies: Proposals should address specific strategies to increase Fort Collins' identity as a cultural center and tourism destination, resulting in at least one of the following benefits:

1. Address a need in the cultural activity of Fort Collins
2. Perpetuate the Tourism Fund by generating over night stays in local hotels
3. Develop new arts, cultural, or heritage tourism activities and products that have the potential to impact Fort Collins cultural and economic growth.

These events or activities should enrich the cultural life available in the city because they will serve as an attraction to visitors, represent new cultural offerings or can be described as unique, innovative or inventive.

The organization must submit a mission statement stating the organizations' officially accepted primary purpose; provide evidence of having been in existence for at least three years; submit financial statements for the three most recently completed fiscal years; provide a list of current Board members; and submit a Tourism Impact form. CIF applicants may also be required to present an oral presentation to the Cultural Resources Board.

Fort Fund will only accept one CIF application per organization per calendar year. Request amount cannot exceed 50% of the total activity expenses. Request amount requires a dollar-for-dollar cash match. Neither in-kind contributions nor Fort Fund dollars from current or previous grants may be used in calculating the organization's match. Activities funded under the CIF shall not be simultaneously funded under Tiers #2 of Fort Fund. CIF funded activities can only apply for a maximum of three years and must compete each time.

Proposal Deadline for the CIF: First Tuesday in April, 5:00p.m.

Requests must be for a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $25,000
Request amount cannot exceed 50% of the total activity expenses

All applications are to be submitted to the Lincoln Center Administration Office, 417 W. Magnolia, Fort Collins, CO,  80521 by 5p.m. on the date stated. Postmark does not qualify. Please direct all questions regarding the application process to Gail Budner, (970) 221-6737.