DENVER, June 30, 2026—The Boettcher Foundation has released its first cycle of 2026 Community Connections Grants recipients, awarding $595,000 in capacity-building grants to projects and building renovations or construction. These grants unite and enhance communities across Colorado, often bringing together nonprofit organizations and cross-sector partners in shared locations or elevate successful initiatives to the next level.
“The Power of Place is at the heart of our Community Connections grants,” said Garrett Mayberry, grants program officer. “Across Colorado, libraries, auditoriums, art studios, and other shared facilities help people build relationships, access resources, and strengthen civic life. Through this latest grant cycle, we’re proud to support organizations that are creating spaces for communities to connect and thrive.”
Below is a summary of the organizations and projects awarded in this cycle:
- American Legion Post #125 – Supports the renovation of the historic Legion Hall, which has long served as one of Kiowa County’s few indoor gathering spaces for veterans, families, nonprofits, public agencies, and fair activities and dances.
- Auraria Higher Education Center – Funds a new 25,000 square-foot Auraria Early Learning Center that will pair a childcare facility with affordable workforce housing, helping address a waitlist of 90+ children.
The Historic Chautauqua Auditorium will serve as a premier Sundance Film Festival screening venue. Photo: Big Heart Film/Megan Sweeney - Colorado Chautauqua Association – Supports the renovation and winterizing of the Historic Chautauqua Auditorium, which will expand accessibility and create additional space to host the Sundance Film Festival.
- Colorado Public Radio – Funds a new headquarters near Downtown Denver to centralize CPR’s operations and create greater access to spaces that foster civic engagement and community connection.
- Colorado State University Foundation – Supports the Blake Center for Engaged Humanities’ new Ann Gill Hall, which creates meaningful gathering spaces to support democratic engagement, dialogue and scholarship.
CPR’s six-story building will become home to CPR News, Denverite, CPR Classical, Indie 102.3, Audio Innovations and the organization’s production and business offices. Photo: CPR
- Costilla County Conservancy District – Provides a challenge grant for the construction of the Farm Park Pavilion in San Luis.
- GES Coalition – Supports a flexible storefront café to host programming for residents and families within a large affordable housing development in the Globeville neighborhood of Denver.
- Grand Valley Creative Alliance – Funds the development of the ARTery, an open studio space in the Grand Valley and the only public ceramic studio in the region.
The ARTery provides community access to professional-grade studios, shared workspaces, and educational opportunities that support both creative exploration and skill-building. Photo: Grand Valley Creative Alliance - Hygiene Fire District – Funds the construction of a new fire station and community hub, which merges essential public safety infrastructure with much-needed community gathering space.
- Denver Jewish Community Center – Supports security enhancements at one of Denver’s most active and welcoming multi-use community hubs.
- Mexican American Development Association – Funds the transformation of a historic building into a licensed commercial kitchen, food production hub, and community gathering space in Downtown Montrose.
- Morgan County Family Center – Supports the renovation of its Main Street building, which will allow MCFC to host classes and gatherings for partner organizations.
- Ouray Public Library – Funds a renovation and expansion of the historic library including expanded youth and teen spaces, makerspaces, and study rooms.
- The Park People – Supports the renovation of training and gathering areas, improvements to building accessibility, and the creation of demonstration gardens at its Denver headquarters.
- US Olympic & Paralympic Museum – Funds renovations to Bill Daniels Gallery of Inspiration, enhancing the presentation of medals and highlighting different Olympic and Paralympic sports organizations based in Colorado Springs.
- Spark the Change – Supports the Kynd Hub Volunteer Platform, a statewide technology platform designed to streamline and strengthen volunteer engagement across Colorado.
Please subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website for information on the next Community Connections Grant cycles.
About the Boettcher Foundation:
The Boettcher Foundation believes in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. We invest in people, programs, and organizations across the state to create a foundation for community building and transformational impact.
