Each year the Cache NHA provides funding to local and regional partners in support of projects, programs, and events that benefit the community and further the mission of Cache NHA to:
- Promote a variety of historical and cultural opportunities.
- Engage people in the river corridor.
- Inspire learning, preservation, and stewardship.
With current funding opportunities, Cache NHA is investing over $100,000 in funding resources to local partners. Read on to learn more about how you can benefit from Cache NHA funding opportunities.
Cache NHA Funding Opportunities
Heritage Area Events Grants
We encourage partners to gather locals and tourists alike to celebrate all the Poudre has to offer. Past events we’ve supported include grand opening ceremonies for new trails and amenities, film screenings, public outreach and education, and events like the Poudre Trail-a-thon, RiverFest, and Big Splash.
Typical funding: Approximately $2,500 is available annually and open year-round. Average grant $500.
Poudre RiverFest at New Belgium in Fort Collins on August 10, 2024.
Community Projects Grants
The Community Projects Grant program supports the preservation, interpretation, and development of the heritage area resources. In the past decade Cache NHA has invested over half a million dollars in community project grants and leveraged nearly $14 million dollars of public-private funding. Past projects have included art installations, planning documents, documentaries, educational programming, interpretive signage and more! To be eligible for funding, the project must:
- Preserve, interpret, or develop historical and/or cultural assets within the NHA
- Be aligned with one or more interpretive themes
- Secure at least equal contribution for the project from non-federal sources
- Be for public benefit
Typical funding: Approximately $30,000 is available annually and open through a competitive application cycle. While funding amounts vary based on a variety of factors, the average grant awarded is $5,000 with an average leverage of contribution from non-federal funding of $30k-$90k.
All applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent through the application portal prior to receiving access to the full application. The online letter of intent is open year-round so Cache NHA can learn more about your proposed projects. We encourage applicants to submit a LOI at any time throughout the year as grant funding or other pass-through funding opportunities may become available between competitive cycles.
The competitive cycle for the Community Projects Grant program is closed for Fiscal Year 2025 as projects awarded in previous years will be continuing into FY 2025. For a list of current and past project, visit the community grants and impact page on our website.
Eaton House is a Fiscal Year 2025 Community projects Grant Recipient.
Save the date for the FY 2026 Community Projects Grant! The next competitive cycle for the Community Projects Grants will be open from July 1st, 2025, and will close on August 30th, 2025, for projects during January 1, 2026- November 30, 2026. The letter of intent deadline is July 18th, 2025, to be eligible to apply for F Y2026 funding.
Click here to go to the letter of intent to apply for a community project grant.
Pass Through and Collaborative Funding Opportunities
Cache NHA takes pride in working together on joint funding proposals to bring more resources to the community. The Cache NHA’s affiliation with the National Park Service as a member of their National Heritage Area System could open opportunities to access funding that may not be accessible to your organization at present. Collaboration possibilities include offering a support letter for your funding proposal, collaborating as partners on a project proposal, or even having the NHA lead in grant writing to secure funding for our heritage area. Cache NHA approaches each funding partnership with the necessary level of flexibility and authenticity.
The following entities are currently beneficiaries of funding Cache NHA has secured from other funders:
Central Colorado Water Conservation District, City of Greeley Museums, Poudre Learning Center, CSU’s Environmental Learning Center, and Colorado Youth Outdoors are participating in the Heritage Area’s Learning In Our Watershed program which receives funding from the National Parks Foundation.
Staff from the City of Fort Collins Historic Preservation Office, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas, and Centennial Village will participate in interpretive training and certification which is funded by National Endowment for Humanities: Public Impact Program.
For pass through and collaborative funding inquiries, email sstoker@poudreheritage.org.
