Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) is an intergovernmental agreement between Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and their seven communities to collaborate on regional economic development. NWCDC's mission is to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, workforce development, economic prosperity, and diversification through sustainable, community-led development.
Northwest Colorado Innovation Center
Bringing More Resources to Northwest Colorado!
The NWCDC established the Northwest Colorado Innovation Center (NCIC), 501c3, to provide wraparound transition services during the coal transition and inject new capital into our regional economy. NCIC established a new microlending revolving loan fund (RLF) to support entrepreneurs and small businesses to create new jobs or to retain existing jobs. Our RLF will launch soon with more details to come.
The Innovation Center Board of Directors will undertake strategic planning at a May 30th Board Retreat. We are also recruiting committee members for the Program, Nominating, and Loan Committees. Email Christine Rambo if you're interested in participating in the important work of the Innovation Center.
CNCC Aviation Program Flying High
The Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Flight Team has achieved a remarkable feat – not only securing an invitation to the NIFA Nationals competition but to ranking as a top two-year flight school, surpassing even some of the four-year programs. This remarkable feat highlights the program's expertise and the team's unwavering commitment to excellence.
In addition to the team's outstanding performance, individual achievements were also celebrated. Pilot Brayden Isaacson, a member of the Flight Team, placed 4th overall.
"People told us it couldn't be done, but all they did was give us an opportunity to prove them wrong." said Brayden Isaacson.
To learn more about the CNCC Aviation Program visit their website here>
New Director of OEDIT's Rural Opportunity Office
Welcome to Meridith Marshall
The Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) has named Meridith Marshall as Director of the Rural Opportunity Office (ROO). She will lead the Office’s efforts to foster sustainable economic growth across Colorado’s rural communities.
Through her previous work with the State of Colorado, Marshall contributed to the creation and execution of Colorado’s statewide economic development strategy, Blueprint 2.0, collaborating with leaders across all 14 regions to create localized economic growth plans. Her work also supported key workforce development efforts, the expansion of the state's apprenticeship program, and the National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy which focused on strengthening workforce development strategies across the state.
Furthermore, Marshall implemented the "Healthy Economy, Healthy Colorado" strategic plan, working with public and private partners to advance the health and wellness industry. As Colorado's Infrastructure and Investments Job Act (IIJA) Coordinator, she managed the planning and drawdown of billions in IIJA and IRA funds, directly engaging with the White House and federal partners to benefit Colorado communities.
“I am honored to return to OEDIT and take on the role of Director of the Rural Opportunity Office. By supporting Colorado’s rural communities and collaborating with partners across the state, we’ll continue to strengthen local economies and help our communities truly thrive. I’m excited to leverage my experience and build on the great work already underway to ensure every corner of our state has the opportunity to prosper,”said Meridith Marshall. Read more>
Northwest Regional Convening in Craig
Meet Philanthropic Funders
Join the Community Resource Center on June 5th from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM for a day of connection, conversation, and collaboration at the Northwest Regional Convening, serving Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and other northwestern counties. This gathering is an opportunity to engage with local leaders, philanthropic funders to share insights and strengthen the regional network.
Attending funders: Anschutz Family Foundation, Boettcher Foundation, Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), El Pomar Foundation, Kenneth King Foundation, Next50 Foundation, and The Colorado Trust. More funders are being added daily!
Event Location:
Colorado Northwestern Community College - Craig Campus, Library
Address:2801 West 9th St., Craig, CO 81625.
Event Schedule:
Coffee & Networking | 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Town Hall Discussion | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Lunch & Networking | 12:00 – 1:00 PM (Purchase from food trucks or bring your own lunch)
Meet the Sponsors/Funders | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Funder Office Hours | 3:00 - 4:00PM
Networking | 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Don't miss this chance to be part of meaningful discussions and help shape the future of rural philanthropy and action in the region. Additional Nonprofit staff members from the same organization can attend at 50% off. Email story.elder@crcamerica.org for the code. Secure your ticket here>
Accessibility is a priority for CRC. To ensure that pricing is not a barrier, please reach out to CRC’s Events & Communications Coordinator, Story Elder.
Grant Database, Resources, Tools, and Tips
Watch a short tutorial above, guided by Emily O'Winter, NWCDC Grant Manager, who walks you through the grant resources found on the www.northwestcolorado.org website. NWCDC developed a full complement of resources to help you find and write an effective grant. Learn how to navigate the grants database, access the grants toolkit for templated content, join the monthly Grants Workgroup to hear from funders, or hire a professional grant writer from our Grants Collective. More about these resource at the bottom of this newsletter. Click on the thumbnail above or this link.
Yampa Valley Community Foundation Community Grant Now OPEN!
The Yampa Valley Community Foundation, in partnership with the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, donor-advised fund holders, and other granting endowments, offers once-a-year grants up to $10,000. Funds must serve Routt and/or Moffat County and be used for unrestricted purposes or issued as a programmatic grant.
Applications will open Monday, May 5, 2025 and will closeMonday, June 2 (11:30 pm MST). A YVCF Grant Application and Financial Training session will be held in-person at YVCF, Steamboat Springs on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 from 10:00-11:30 am. Virtual online access is available, and the session will be recorded. Learn more>
EDA Assistance to Coal Community Grant
The Economic Development Administration's (EDA's) mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for economic growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States through grant funding, including the EAA program (which includes Assistance to Coal Communities, Nuclear Closure Communities, and Biomass Closure Communities). Grants and cooperative agreements made under these programs are designed to leverage existing regional assets and advance new ideas and creative approaches in distressed communities, and can fund capital projects and programs.
FY25 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs (PWEAA) Grant is still open and accepting applications. Be sure to follow the updated EDA Priorities in your application. Learn more>
LOR Field Work Grant Application is Now Open!
Field Work is LOR’s search for innovative answers to persistent problems that plague rural communities. The goal with each Field Work research initiative is to get money into the hands of the people on the ground—in communities where LOR works or in other rural parts of the region—who have innovative ideas. This year, LOR is focusing on mental health.
2025 Field Work effort seeks to uncover innovative ideas that improve mental health in rural communities. Beginning May 12, LOR invites people with creative ideas about how to improve mental health and social well-being in rural places to apply for between $1,000 and $25,000 in funding. Applications must be submitted by Friday, June 6, to be considered for funding. Applicants will be notified of a funding decision by the end of June. Learn more>
Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Now Open!
The Safe Street and Roads for All (SS4A) FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now open! The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) established the SS4A competitive grant program to fund regional, local, and Tribal initiatives to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Almost $2 billion is still available for future funding rounds.
The SS4A program provides funding for two main types of grants: planning and demonstration grants for action plans, including supplemental safety planning and/or safety demonstration activities, and implementation grants. Learn more about these grant types using the link below.
The deadline for applications is June 26, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. (EDT). For more information and applicant guidance, click here>
Anschutz Family Foundation Grants
The Anschutz Family Foundation’s mission is to support endeavors that strengthen families and communities and help individuals become productive and responsible citizens. The Foundation has a special interest in self-sufficiency, community development and programs aimed at the economically disadvantaged, the young, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The Foundation is also dedicated to funding efforts in rural Colorado providing grants of $5,000-$10,000 for general operating or program/project requests for various program areas including community & capacity building and low-income housing, among others.
Anschutz Family Foundation typically provides grants to Colorado nonprofit organizations offering programs and services that fit within one or more of their grant funding areas. Learn more here>
Applications for the Fall 2025 Cycle are now open and will close July 1, 2025. For eligibility requirements and online application access, click here>
Grants Database and Other Grants Resources
To help our members sort through the massive volume of grants from state, federal and philanthropic funders, NWCDC is maintaining a Grants Database, curated to support our priority areas: clean energy, economic development, transportation, affordable childcare, and community development. The database is hosted on the NWCDC website. NWCDC Grants Manager Emily O'Winter has prescreened these grants for relevancy. The database is a living document that we will be updating constantly as we find new resources that support our Roadmap strategies. For technical support, you can click this link to email Emily O'Winter.
Grants Toolkit
In an effort to make grant writing as painless as possible, NWCDC Grant Manager Emily O'Winter has created a Grants Toolkit, which includes templated responses for the most often asked grant questions, as well as data sources. Browse the Grants Toolkit now for core language and other resources.
Grants Workgroup Meetings
Take a deeper dive into upcoming grants by joining the Grants Workgroup, which meets the second Wednesday of each month at 11 am via Zoom. We invite funders to share insights on their programs. Email Emily O'Winter to join the Grants Workgroup.
Northwest Colorado Grants Collective
Looking for more support? The Northwest Colorado Grants Collective is a partnership with the Northwest Colorado Development Council and the Yampa Valley Community Foundation to create a list of grant professionals to increase grant writing and management capacity for regional nonprofits, local governments, and businesses interested in hiring grant writers to support developing proposals for federal, state, and local grants. Check out the Grants Collective
You are receiving this email newsletter from the Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) because you are a member or a partner or have signed up for more information. The NWCDC is an intergovernmental agreement between Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties and their seven communities to collaborate on regional economic development.
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