Annual grants program reaches new funding milestone to support eight organizations in Northeast Denver advancing social equity and community well-being
March 13, 2025
RiNo Art District, a 501(c)(6) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to fostering a welcoming, creative community where a diversity of artists, residents, and businesses thrive, today announced the recipients of $125,000 in Social Impact Grants, marking the largest funding amount in the program’s history.
Each of the organizations selected will receive $15,625. Organizations awarded include: The Black American West Museum & Heritage Center (image credit); Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center; Colorado Youth Congress (CYC); El Sistema Colorado; Groundwork Denver; Heart & Hand Center; Lincoln Hills Cares; and Phamaly Theatre Company.
"Our latest Social Impact Grant recipients are addressing critical issues in our community, from education and environmental justice to cultural preservation and accessibility in the arts, and it’s a privilege to support their work,” said Alye Sharp, Executive Director of Programs and Partnerships at RiNo Art District. “We are incredibly grateful for the RiNo BID’s commitment to expanding the program’s funding, allowing us to reach more organizations and make an even greater impact in our community.”
Now in its fifth year, the program has provided more than $350,000 in unrestricted funding to organizations serving the neighborhoods of Five Points, Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, and Cole. To create an equity-driven grant-making process, recipients are nominated by a diverse committee of local community members familiar with the organizations making an impact in the district.
About the Grantees
- The Black American West Museum & Heritage Center promotes an understanding of the vital role African Americans played in settling and developing the western United States through its collections, programs, and exhibits. Housed in the former home of Dr. Justina L. Ford, Colorado’s first licensed African American female physician, the museum tells the stories of Black cowboys, miners, soldiers, homesteaders, and other trailblazers of the West.
- Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center, located in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, fosters community strength and cultural expression through visual and performing arts, celebrations, and educational programs. A hub for creative and social engagement, the Center is known for its award-winning Open-Mic Poetry Set and commitment to youth enrichment, including its annual free summer lunch program.
- Colorado Youth Congress (CYC) is a statewide leadership program that cultivates the healing and leadership of young people to drive social change. By focusing on wellness, learning and advocacy, CYC ensures that the collective voice of youth is central to shaping the social and political future of Colorado.
- El Sistema Colorado is a free after-school string orchestra and music education program in Denver that serves children ages 3-18, harnessing the joy of music to ignite potential in young leaders. Through an immersive program that transcends socioeconomic barriers, El Sistema Colorado celebrates young musicians and equips them to become the future changemakers of their communities.
- Groundwork Denver partners with youth and communities to build a healthy, equitable and sustainable environment through hands-on projects like planting trees, improving parks and cleaning up rivers. By fostering leadership through its Youth Green Leadership program and bridging collaboration between residents, businesses, and government, the organization works toward ensuring equal access to a clean and healthy environment for all.
- Heart & Hand Center provides long-term, nurturing support for 3rd- to 12th-grade youth in Northeast Denver through after-school and summer programming. Committed to closing the opportunity gap, the organization empowers young people through academic support, wellness programs, and exposure to new passions in a safe and uplifting environment.
- Lincoln Hills Cares is a charitable organization that builds community, promotes outdoor equity, and supports environmental education by reconnecting historically marginalized people to nature. With initiatives focused on outdoor recreation, cultural history and STEAM education, the organization has served over 103,000 youth and partnered with more than 75 organizations to develop the next generation of outdoor leaders.
- Phamaly Theatre Company is Colorado’s award-winning creative home for theatre artists with disabilities, exclusively featuring actors with physical, cognitive, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. Dedicated to upending conventional narratives, Phamaly empowers artists, promotes accessibility, and produces high-quality, transformative theatre experiences for all audiences.