direct effect awards
CHFA’s Direct Effect Awards recognize Colorado nonprofit organizations whose missions align with CHFA’s work to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development.
Direct Effect Recipients
In 2023, CHFA will have two Direct Effect Award rounds.
Round One: Applications opened May 1st and closed May 31st. Awardees will be notified in early August 2023.
Round Two: Application will open September 1st and close September 29th. Awardees will be notified in early December 2023.
To receive announcements about CHFA’s Community Partnership efforts including Direct Effect Awards and future grant opportunities, please sign up to receive CHFA’s Community Connections eNews.
Submission Information
The application for Round One is now closed. Awards will be announced in early August.The maximum donation amount is $30,000. In 2022, the average donation amount was $13,886.
All eligible entries will be judged by a panel comprised of CHFA staff. Award winners will be selected based on the organization’s track record of success, the proposal, and how the Award funds will be used.
If you experience issues filling out the online application, please contact us.
Eligibility
To be eligible, nonprofits must have a mission that aligns with CHFA. Does your mission align with CHFA’s mission to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development in the following ways:
Strengthening low- and moderate- income Coloradans ability to achieve or sustain affordable homeownership, financial literacy and education, home maintenance repairs and renovations, housing counseling, or foreclosure prevention.
Strengthening economic development and small business access to capital, fresh food access in food deserts, entrepreneurship, leadership, business-readiness, job training and skill development, or nonprofit-sector development and support.
Applicants seeking to further their work in any of the following areas will receive top consideration.
- Supporting rural communities
- Serving special needs populations such as homeless, veterans, seniors, or those with mental, physical, or intellectual/developmental disabilities, including autism.
- Addressing systemic racial/ethnic inequities and creating opportunities for communities of color
- Advancing innovation in construction practices, service delivery, community collaboration and partnerships, or other kinds of change-making endeavors that supports housing stability or economic prosperity
Additional Eligibility Criteria
Application Information
Applicants will be asked to respond to the following questions:- Describe, in 150 words or less, how your organization has made the state stronger by helping Coloradans access affordable housing and/or by furthering economic development. For example, describe your impact (people supported, etc.) over the past five years.
- Describe in 500 words or less, the specific program you are seeking funding for and how Direct Effect dollars will be used. Be sure to describe the anticipated impact (people supported etc.) of the project.
- Describe, in 300 words or less, who else has contributed to and/or is being asked to contribute towards the funding goal, including committed or anticipated dollar amounts. What is your plan to fulfill the total budget needed? If you receive partial funding from CHFA, how will you fill the gap? (Be sure to include cash support and in-kind, include value of in-kind).
- Describe in 300 words or less how your organization strives to advance equity through your programs, who you serve, staff, board, and volunteers, and/or engagement with community.
- Based on your anticipated impact, describe, in 300 words or less, at least three ways you will measure success for this effort. Examples of success measures could include but are not limited to: total number of households expected to be supported, program launch date, or project completion date. Please note: Award recipients will be asked to provide a brief written summary report within one year of receiving their award documenting their progress in reaching the success measures defined in this response.
A copy of the organization’s IRS exemption letter demonstrating proof of nonprofit status or a state charter, articles of incorporation or other establishing documents designating the organization as a nonprofit or not-for-profit entity under the laws of Colorado, and the Colorado Secretary of State's Certificate of Good Standing are required for submission as part of the application process.
Need more information?
Please contact Jerilynn Francis or Kristen Soroko for more information.
Jerilynn Martinez Francis
Chief Communications and Community Partnerships Officer
Kristen Soroko
Event and Public Relations Coordinator