Overview
The Foundation supports organizations and programs in our four focus areas either through grants or Program Related Investments (PRIs). The applicant decides which type of support to apply for depending on the program need and operations.
Grants
The Kenneth King Foundation supports operating and program needs in the four focus areas through grants. Our grantmaking is targeted towards creating and opening pathways to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for those in need.
What We Look For:
- Organization must be a 501(c)(3) with a tax identification number listed in Guidestar
- Organization must be based in Colorado, serving Colorado residents
- Programs must improve earning potential and quality of life
- Alignment with the Foundation’s four focus areas
- Clearly presented goals, objectives and strategies
- Programs must have previous proof of skills resulting in creation of/placement in jobs with livable wages and businesses with growth potentials
- Sustainable and diversified funding streams
- Organizations must be in operation for at least two consecutive years
- Strong, effective and ongoing organization and program evaluation with measurable outputs and outcomes
- Utilization of best practices and principles across all levels of the organization
What We Do Not Fund:
- Stand-alone foodbanks and pantries
- Emergency housing, homeless shelters and long-term housing without integrated employment-focused supportive services/case management
- Health organizations
- Domestic violence shelters and services
- Adaptive sports programs
- Animal welfare projects
- Conferences, events or seminars
- Individuals
- Media or film-related projects
- Research projects
- Schools (public, charter or private)
- Start-up projects (organizations must be in operation for at least two consecutive years) – exceptions are considered for PRI opportunities only
- Public policy, lobbying and civic education
- Youth mentoring programs without integrated career pathway programming
- Vision or hearing programs, unless focused on job training/employment programming
- Senior programs (nursing homes, extended-care facilities, respite care)
- Hospice care
- Mountain rescue organizations
Program Related Investments (PRIs)
Program-related investments (PRIs) are equity investments or loans to organizations. The terms and structure of PRI’s vary depending on the need and type of organization. The Foundation typically invests in entrepreneurship/job creating programs that have a reliable stream of income to service the loans and/or take on equity investment, however all other programs that meet the criteria for our focus areas could be considered. Click here to learn more about our current program related investments. The Foundation accepts PRI applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.
PRI Criteria For Eligibility:
- A reliable stream of income to service the loans and/or take on equity investment
- Measurable social impact is desirable
- Proven track record of job creation /provision of entrepreneurship skills and new businesses
- Organization must be based in Colorado, not necessarily only serving in Colorado
How to be Considered for Grant and
Program Related Investment Funding
The Kenneth King Foundation accepts funding applications by invitation only. Invitations to apply for funding are e-mailed to mission-aligned organizations throughout the year, generally no later than 45 days before the grant proposal deadline. PRI applications are accepted throughout the year.
How to Apply For Grant and
Program Related Investment Funding
Eligibility Quiz
For organizations interested in applying that have not received an invitation to apply and have not received funding from the Foundation in the past, kindly fill out the eligibility quiz.
For organizations that have received funding from the Foundation, but have not been invited to apply for an upcoming deadline, they are encouraged to set up a grant informational call with Foundation staff, email a project description or call the Foundation at 303-832-3200 to determine whether there is mission alignment.
We encourage your feedback. Please visit Grant Advisor to provide us with feedback on your experience working with the Kenneth King Foundation.
Grant Application Deadlines
- March 1 – Basic Human Needs that remove barriers to employment (invitations sent January 2, 2021)
- September 1 – Entrepreneurship & Jobs Programs (invitations generally no later than June 30, 2021)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I apply for a grant through a fiscal sponsor?
- Typically, the Foundation only supports organizations with a 501(c)3 in the name of the organization applying for the funds.
When are your deadlines?
- The Kenneth King Foundation accepts funding applications by invitation only. Invitations to apply for funding are e-mailed to mission-aligned organizations throughout the year, generally no later than 45 days before the grant proposal deadline. March 1 for Basic Human Needs that remove barriers to employment (invitations sent January 2, 2021) and August 1 for Entrepreneurship & Jobs Programs (invitations generally no later than June 30, 2021). From time to time, deadlines change, the web site will always have the most up-to-date grant proposal deadlines.
How long is the review process?
- Generally, decisions for application are communicated to grantees and partners 90 days after the grant proposal deadline.
Do you accept requests for operating, capital or program support?
- The foundation does not accept capital requests but supports general operating or program/project requests that fall within our funding areas.
Do you accept the Colorado Common Grant Application?
- Our application is based on the Colorado Common Grant Application, with a few custom questions added based on our different funding areas.
How much can we ask for in grants or PRI’s?
- The Foundations supports grants and PRI’s ranging from $10,000 – $200,000. An average grant is between $5,000 and $20,000. PRIs tend to range from $50,000-$200,000.
How do I know if a PRI is more beneficial to my organization than a grant?
- Read more on PRI’s above.
What is the timeline for approving a PRI?
- There are no Program Related Investment Application deadlines. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The best first step is to schedule an informational phone call with Foundation staff.
What programs do you typically support with PRIs?
- We typically invest in entrepreneurship/job creating programs that have a reliable stream of income to service the loans and/or take on equity investment, however the foundation is open to all programs that meet the criteria for our focus areas, including bridge debt for capital campaigns, secured by future grants.