Due to an error with the application portal, the grant application window has been extended until the 15th of November, 2022. 

As part of pandemic recovery efforts, the City of Fort Collins is launching the Small Business Grants program to help the local small business community address impacts of the COVID-19 health crisis.   

Eligible small businesses include those who make less than $1M in gross revenue a year, along with solopreneurs, artists, and musicians who had challenges that were attributed to or aggravated by the Covid-19 public health crisis. 

Accelerate Apprenticeship Grants encourage employer adoption of registered apprenticeship in the state of Colorado. Receive up to $7,500 in grant funding! 

Employers not yet involved in a registered apprenticeship receive:  

• $5,000 once they register their own or join an existing apprenticeship program and hire an apprentice 
• $2,500 once they retain an apprentice for six months 
• Assistance from the OFOW to register or join an existing apprenticeship program 

Applications will be collected on a rolling basis and funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Funding is provided via the Innovation, Diversity, and Equity in Apprenticeship (IDEA) Grant and is available through 3/1/2025.  

The online application is anticipated to go live on November 18, 2022. 

The Office of the Future of Work will be hosting a virtual informational session on November 15, 2022 at 1:00pm MT. The session will be recorded and posted on this website along with all questions that were answered for future applicants to review.

The Business Foundations Technical Assistance program provides technical assistance and small grants to Colorado small businesses to help them legally establish themselves. The program includes 3 required training paths for businesses to complete and receive a certification. Once completed, businesses may be eligible to apply for small grants of up to $1,200.

The Community Development & Neighborhood Services Department is awarding mini grants to small businesses and non-profits with 20 or fewer employees going through the Building or Development Review process to provide them with technical assistance. This funding is from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is intended to help support the local business community in recovery from the pandemic. 

• Colorado Climber Loan Fund now providing eligible small businesses with working capital loans between $30,000 - $500,000.    
• WorkLife Partnership’s Small Dollar Loans Program is an efficient, cost-effective, low-risk alternative to payroll advances and employee loan programs.  
• Skill Advance Colorado Job Training Grant helps businesses and nonprofits create customized job training for employees through industry customized job training reimbursement grants.  
• COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Payments were automatically deferred for 30 months from the date of the Note. SBA began approving COVID EIDL applications in Spring 2020. This means we are rapidly approaching the end of the deferment period for those early loans. Business Owners should start preparing to make payments.  
• Hire A Veteran - Hiring candidates who fit your job needs can be difficult, but have you ever considered targeting your search to veterans? Veteran job seekers are frequently overlooked and underrepresented, but are often the strongest of candidates already highly specialized in many areas. Receive a Tax Credit: The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is available when hiring qualified veterans and can reduce employer federal tax liability by as much as $2,400 to $9,600 per new hire.  

Check out ForFortCollins.com for tools and resources created to help your business reopen safely and strongly while gaining support from loyal customers and community members.