Land, facilities, and civic infrastructure are long-term assets that can transform the ability of nonprofit and community organizations to serve Colorado communities. For this reason, the Gates Family Foundation invests in capital projects across the state, in both rural and urban areas. We strive to be responsive to each community’s unique needs and opportunities.
Our capital grants are generally limited to comprehensive capital campaigns, which are typically for building purchases, construction, expansion, renovation, and/or land acquisition.
We fund capital projects within five categories:
- Arts & Culture projects that
- enhance the cultural quality of community life while also strengthening the economy
- link a community with its heritage and contribute to usable community infrastructure
- serve as an educational resource for children, youth, and adults
- Community Development projects that
- create economic opportunity, add to the quality of life, and enhance stability for the residents of a community
- have the potential to reinforce and enhance the economic vitality of a community
- involve partnerships between public and private sector organizations
- Education projects that
- serve a majority of students from low-income families
- build or improve education facilities that will be heavily used by a majority of the community
- increase access to education in rural areas
- provide life-long learning to a broad audience
- Parks & Recreation projects that
- protect and steward land and water resources, habitat, and the health of natural systems
- preserve the state’s agricultural legacy
- construct and improve parks, trail systems, and open space for public recreation and access
- provide environmental education and leadership opportunities for young people
- Well-Being of Children, Youth & Families projects that
- develop greater self-sufficiency, including the well-being and independence of disadvantaged families and the elderly
- increase leadership and life skills
- promote good health and well-being rather than cure disease