Chinook Fund
/OVERVIEW: The Chinook Fund supports racial justice, social justice and economic justice in Colorado.
FUNDING AREAS: Racial justice, social justice, economic justice, peace, human rights
IP TAKE: This GUTC signatory is a unique philanthropic organization that is accessible to new grant seekers and maintains a local focus in spite of its big social justice goals.
PROFILE: Established in 1987, the Chinook Fund is a grantmaking foundation based in Denver, Colorado. A group of young, progressive philanthropists came together to create this foundation after being inspired by the Funding Exchange in New York. This foundation, a GUTC signatory, pools money from the local progressive community to distribute funds to grassroots groups working towards social change. In particular, the foundation “supports grassroots organizations working on issues of social and economic justice.” It funds local grassroots efforts for racial justice, social justice, economic justice, peace and human rights.
The Chinook Fund addresses issues that include poverty, globalization, environmental destruction, racism and war with its grantmaking. It recruits its grantmaking committee and board from Colorado communities and is known for taking risks with its grantmaking. Over the years, it has been a leading funder for HIV/AIDS, sexual violence, globalization and immigration. The foundation provides start-up grants, established grants and multi-year grants. Chinook collaborates with six other community foundations and justice funders on an effort called the Giving Project, which is a philanthropy model that brings together diverse people who engage in fundraising and are passionate about social change.
Grants range between about $1,000 and $10,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the grantees page of the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on Colorado. Past local grantees include Front Line Farming, Neighborhood Navigators of Eagle County and Inside/Out Youth Services.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Chinook hosts free grant workshops a month before grant deadlines. It uses an online grant portal for new applications. The funder usually awards grants twice per year in June and February, following February and September proposal deadlines. Direct general questions to the staff at office@chinookfund.org or 303-455-6905.
PEOPLE:
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