70 survey respondents
Location: 5855 Wadsworth Bypass Unit A, Arvada, 80003 CO
EIN: 51-0157964
100%
0%
8 hours
Median
99%
1%
99%
1%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Reviewer 9316 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Contact the foundation. Everyone there is very friendly and helpful in determining if there are common objectives and a meaningful fit. The foundation is eager to build partnerships in the community.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
It is easy to communicate with staff at the foundation.
Good
The foundation is looking at a myriad of ways to keep people in their homes and it is making funds available to new partners in this quest.
Nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life in the community can really use funding to support staff. This type of funding is rarely available.
This foundation knows which community needs are the most pressing and which organizations can meet those needs.
8
We can't do it alone and rely upon our valuable community partners! Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Contact the foundation. Everyone there is very friendly and helpful in determining if there are common objectives and a meaningful fit. The foundation is eager to build partnerships in the community.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2020
Good
Good
Nonprofit organizations working to improve the quality of life in the community can really use funding to support staff. This type of funding is rarely available.
This foundation knows which community needs are the most pressing and which organizations can meet those needs.
8
Partnerships and collaborations help us all be successful! Thank you for posting a review!
Reviewer 8353 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Extremely responsive and accessible leadership and staff and are quick to provide direction and answer questions. It is best to connect with appropriate staff to determine fit, but once that is done, trust is built year after year with funding, impact and reporting.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Good
Very responsible and accessible staff. Very good communication and outreach to explain updates, new initiatives or grant opportunities.
Good
I think CFF lives its mission through innovative and unique programs and grant initiatives. They have a comprehensive view of community health and philanthropy.
Consistent competitive grant/funding opportunities (annual?) to build momentum and collaboration with projects. Some years our mission 'fits' with an initiative, some years we do not. It helps alot to receive and invitation or RFP. Otherwise, I would not check annually to see if there was a deadline or fit.
Would like CFF to consider impact investing via PRI or MRI-- of course, I'd like them to consider small business investment to build economic and financial health for their communities! Would love to partner.
Launching new initiatives after listening to community and nonprofit needs-- they innovatively try to address gaps that no other funder is addressing; like nonprofit endowment, providing online donation platform, or funding mental health systems.
5
We love innovation! Thank you for sharing your feedback!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
, gfoundation to work wit
Positive leader in the field, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Good
Good
They are responsive.
More than 15
Thank you for sharing your review!
Reviewer 8475 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
As with most grant funders, close alignment with proposals and funding priorities is the best approach. Consider demonstrating how community collaborations support your work.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Good
Community First Foundation has always been accessible to our organization when we have questions about funding opportunities, status of applications or application feedback.
Good
Community First consistently ensures prioritization of projects improving the well being of Jeffco residents.
As a part of their COVID response, Community First conducted very thorough telephonic site visits to ensure understanding of proposals. They made the relief funding process relatively easy and timely.
5
We believe we're all better when we work together! Collaboration is great! Thanks for your feedback!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
This organization is very dedicated to doing great things for the community. However, if you are a new organization they may not be as likely to take a risk at funding you as they are big on ROI. I would still encourage newer organizations to try.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Colorado
Applied and not funded
Other
2020
Good
Good
standpoint to assure you meet your goals, both financially and the number of individuals you want to help, but if your mission is truly to help the community there should also me efforts to help thse just starting out even though they may be a bigger gamble and may not have the ROI to start off with.
It would be great if CFF offered grants specific to support nonprofits just starting off (Not just those newly formed but those looking to finally move past a 990N filing). It would also be nice if the funding included admin costs to cover services in the allowance - because when you provide a service, most of your costs are admin to run your business. For example, paying staff to teach courses, run data, design curriculum and presentations, market and sales for your service, etc. All of this cost money and often the costs are not covered in grants:(Nonprofits are still businesses at the end of the day and it is very challenging to balance running the business and dedicate the time needed to do fundraising. Grants to help nonprofits get started would mean the world of difference in an organization's ability to hit the ground running:)
No
Not funded
Dedication and passion to help nonprofit organizations to get connected to communities and philanthropic opportunities. Also, to let organizations messages reach their target markets to help them fulfill their mission.
5 to 10 hours
Thanks for your feedback and for sharing some great ideas! We'll pass them along!
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Just give them a call. They are very open and available to talk.
Positive leader in the field, Friendly
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Good
Emails and phone calls are returned promptly. Questions are answered clearly.
Good
The Community First Foundation has assisted in non profits in raising funds to provide services and make an impact in Colorado.
I like the recent changes that goes into updating a non profit profile. More streamlined and less time consuming while still being accountable to the public/donors.
The Community First Foundation has made a huge impact in educating the community on philanthropic giving. They have made many non profits visible to donors.
Less than 5
We appreciate the time you took to give a review.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
If in doubt, reach out! They are very open and transparent, and they make it clear that they want to be partners with nonprofits - no weird power dynamics.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for lesser amount
2020
Good
Good
Communicate!
8
You review and information helps us be better! Thanks for taking the time to post a review.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2020
Be prepared to share detailed goals and outcomes, as well as have a detailed proposed budget. Community First is great to work with. They have great communication and are very clear about their requests in a grant application.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for greater amount
2020
Good
They return communication quickly and thoroughly.
Good
Community First is very thoughtful about what they want to support and why. Their passion is contagious.
15
Your review helps us be better. Thank you for posting.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2019
It's best to write to them in advance, making sure that your grant project idea aligns with their mission and fits eligibility. They are quick and wonderful to communicate with.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
Colorado
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2019
Good
Good
They really care about their community members, and like to fund programs that help those who need the help most.
Keep being a shining example of what great philanthropy looks like in a community.
They are so available and friendly, not only giving funding for great opportunities, but also inviting you to use their modern, stylish building for meetings. They make you feel like family.
16
Our partner nonprofits and donors matter! Thank you for giving us feedback.
