May 2025 Resources | LOR Foundation

May 2025 Resources

Each month LOR sends a curated list of funding opportunities and other resources relevant for small rural communities in the Mountain West. To receive a link to our monthly resources guide, drop us a line to connect@lorfoundation.org.

Funding Opportunities

The LOR Foundation’s 2025 Field Work initiative funds innovative ideas that improve rural mental health.

Field Work is LOR’s search for innovative answers to persistent problems that plague rural communities. Our goal with each Field Work research initiative is to get money quickly 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 finding innovative solutions that improve mental health or social well-being in rural communities. Funding proposals can range from $1,000 up to $25,000 for a project. LOR will begin accepting project proposals May 12 and will close applications on June 6. Applicants will be notified by late June.

  • Who Can Apply: LOR’s 2025 Field Work initiative is open to individuals, local governments, hospitals, schools, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, libraries, and other organizations in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, or Wyoming. 
  • What Can Be Funded: Projects that improve outcomes in the following areas are eligible:
    • Preventing and responding to mental health concerns 
    • Increasing access to and/or awareness of mental health and social well-being services 
    • Deepening meaningful social connections for the specific purpose of improving mental health outcomes in a community

Learn more at lorfoundation.org/fieldwork2025

Deadline: Application opens May 12 and closes June 6

May Deadlines

The Bigglesworth Family Foundation’s Legal Services grant offers funding between $10,000 and $30,000 to nonprofits or public entities for programs that increase access to justice, promote leadership development, or are hubs for civil legal aid. Funding will support legal service organizations, particularly those operating in legal deserts. Eligible applicants include direct service providers, organizations offering technical assistance or advocacy (excluding lobbying), and groups focused on recruitment and retention within the legal sector. Grant types include general operating support for unique legal services, innovation and replication grants for scalable projects, sector supporting grants for infrastructure and advocacy efforts, and access grants ($1,000–$3,500) to enhance service delivery. Applications for access grants are reviewed within 30 days.
Deadline: Legal Services applications close on May 5, Access Grants accepted on rolling basis

The Wilhelm Family Foundation will award 20 to 30 grants to nonprofit arts organizations across the U.S. to support artists and strengthen creative communities. While grant amounts vary, the average award in recent years was $9,500. Priority is given to organizations serving diverse, marginalized, at-risk, or underserved populations. Eligible applicants must be nonprofits (excluding private foundations) or apply through a fiscal sponsor, work in the arts in alignment with the foundation’s mission, and have an annual budget under $1.5 million.
Deadline: May 12

The National Young Farmers Coalition offers $2,000 stipends for the nine-month Root and Bloom Fellowship focused on agricultural policy and leadership to 25 farmers across the United States. The Fellowship is a paid, virtual program. Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years old and actively involved in agriculture.
Deadline: May 14

The JD Finish Line Foundation’s Louder Than Words Grant is offering up to $10,000 for nonprofit programs that promote health and wellness, workforce development, and safe communities, with a focus on underserved populations.. Grants typically range up to $10,000, with nationwide awards reaching up to $25,000. Priority is given to programs that support personal development, active lifestyles, education, facility improvements, emergency needs, and scholarships.
Deadline: May 15

Ameriprise Financial’s Community Relations Program offers grants to nonprofits that align with its giving priorities: meeting basic needs (such as hunger, shelter, and adult self-sufficiency), supporting community vitality (including community development and cultural enrichment), and engaging in volunteer-driven causes. In 2024 the Ameriprise Community Impact Grant program awarded nearly $2 million in funding in its first round of grants. Preference is given to organizations demonstrating volunteerism by Ameriprise Financial employees and advisors.
Deadline: May 15

June Deadlines (and beyond)

The RedRover Relief Safe Housing Grant is offering grants up to $60,000 to nonprofit domestic violence and animal organizations for programs that help survivors of domestic violence by allowing pets and people to escape abuse together. Funding priority is given to applications from domestic violence shelters that are starting new pet programs to house animals at the domestic violence shelter.
Deadline: June 1

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s  Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants is providing up to $900 million for regional, local, and Tribal initiatives focused on preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries. Metropolitan planning organizations, political subdivisions of a state or territory, and federally recognized tribal governments are eligible to apply. Emergency Medical Services and 911 centers are encouraged to apply for funding independently or collaborate with local, regional, health, planning, or transportation partners.
Deadline: June 26

The National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program is offering nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations grants of up to $250,000 to create or rehabilitate football fields for youth and families across the country. Community-based organizations, middle schools, or high schools serving a neighborhood consisting of low- and moderate-income families and individuals are eligible to apply.
Deadline: June 30

The National Endowment for the Arts “Grants for Arts Projects” offers between $10,000 and $100,000 in project-based funding for various local arts initiatives. Categories that can be funded include public engagement with the arts, education, the integration of the arts with strategies promoting health, and the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector. Eligible entities include nonprofits, units of state or local governments, and federally recognized tribal communities.
Deadline: July 10

UC Berkeley’s Rural Health Innovation Program is offering 25 full-tuition scholarships for public health professionals living and working in rural communities to earn their Master of Public Health degree online. In addition to program fees and travel expenses, scholars will also receive a paid membership in the National Rural Health Association. 
Deadline: August 3

The Sky’s the Limit Entrepreneur Grants offer $2,500 startup grants each month to support young, underrepresented entrepreneurs in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Eligible applicants must create a profile and submit a pitch explaining how the grant will benefit their business. The program prioritizes early-stage entrepreneurs without access to traditional funding, promotes community engagement through a voting system, and provides mentorship and business resources alongside financial support. 
Deadline: Rolling

The Americana Foundation’s American Heritage program offers around $10,000 to $25,000 to support projects and programs that broaden the inclusivity of early American art and the early American historical narrative. Eligible projects may involve the interpretation of early American material culture and its public display, development of exhibits and other educational programs, and creation of career opportunities in curation and conservation. Nonprofits across the United States are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Rolling and reviewed quarterly

The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant provides financial assistance of up to $15,000 (typically around $5,000) to painters, sculptors, and printmakers experiencing unforeseen catastrophic events such as medical emergencies, fires, or natural disasters. Eligible artists must be in a mature phase of their practice with at least 10 years of experience and demonstrate urgent financial need. The grant does not support dental expenses, ongoing financial difficulties, or capital improvements.
Deadline: Rolling

The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant is offering up to $50,000 to painters, sculptors, and artists working on paper, including printmakers. The Foundation provides financial resources for visual artists to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, prepare for exhibitions, attend a residency and offset living expenses.
Deadline: Rolling

Kroger Charitable Giving offers donations to nonprofits and programs that help end hunger and waste in Kroger communities through Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan. Support is also provided in the focus areas of sustainability, health and nutrition, disaster relief, diversity and inclusion, and education and youth development. 
Deadline: Rolling and processed quarterly

The Community Heart & Soul Seed Grant Program offers $10,000 in grant funding for resident-led initiatives in small cities and towns with populations under 30,000 looking to implement the Community Heart & Soul model. Projects must include partnerships with local government, a nonprofit, or an informal resident-led group with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization.
Deadline: Rolling

State-specific Funding Opportunities

Colorado: Startup Colorado and Homegrown Pathways have launched Spark Lab, a free youth-focused pre-accelerator program designed to ignite the next generation of rural entrepreneurs. Spark Lab is a 12-15 hour, non-technical experience, focused on the outcome of a three-minute pitch presented at a culminating pitch competition event. A cohort of 10-15 youth participants will be selected for each implementation.
Deadline: Rolling

Idaho: The Idaho Commission on the Arts is offering grants of up to $600 to professional artists, arts administrators, educators, and K-12 teachers to take advantage of professional development opportunities. Funding is intended to reimburse up to 50% of costs associated with attending a conference, workshop, or other source of professional development. 
Deadline: June 2

Idaho: The Idaho Community Foundation is awarding grants of up to $25,000 to nonprofits, governmental agencies, and public schools for programs that improve quality of life in communities. Funds may be used for any direct or indirect costs related to the organization’s activities, including payroll, rent, utilities, supplies and equipment, project costs, capital improvements, or programmatic needs.
Deadline: June 15 for northern and eastern regions and August 15 for southwestern and south central regions

New Mexico: The Amber Grant for Women in New Mexico offers monthly grants of $10,000 to support women-owned businesses in the state, with a chance to win an additional $25,000 year-end grant. Open to female entrepreneurs across New Mexico, the program aims to empower women by providing essential funding to help grow and sustain their businesses.
Deadline: Rolling

New Mexico: The New Mexico Tourism Department’s Route 66 Centennial grant program is offering funding to provide communities along historic Route 66 support for programs related to special events and infrastructure and destination enhancements. Funding for special events will range from $5,000 to $50,000 and funding for infrastructure or destination enhancements will not exceed $250,000. Eligible entities include legal, tourism-related destination management organizations, municipalities, counties, tribal governments, other governmental entities, and special districts within the State of New Mexico.
Deadline: May 5

New Mexico: The NextGen 10 week pre-apprenticeship program is accepting applications from New Mexican applicants ages 18-24 for paid hands-on training opportunities. The program connects participants with training in industries that are shaping the future of New Mexico, including energy innovation, natural resource management, and the trades.
Deadline: Rolling

New Mexico: Con Alma Health Foundation is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 in support of nonprofits’ efforts to improve their community’s health with a focus on attaining long-term policy solutions and health equity informed by community voices. Applications are currently open for Con Alma Annual Grants and for Northern New Mexico Health Grants.
Deadline: May 30

Idaho, Colorado, and New Mexico: Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Spark Incubation Fund has allocated $5 million  for new and innovative ideas or concepts that create lasting independence from food assistance and help end hunger. The focus is on new, never tried solutions that create impact in communities where Albertsons Companies stores are located. Nonprofits or organizations with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Rolling

Resources

The USDA Income and Property Eligibility Tool is a valuable resource for individuals looking to determine their eligibility for various USDA assistance programs. 

  • Eligibility Assessment: Users can check whether they qualify for USDA loans based on household income and property location.
  • Property Eligibility: The site helps determine if a home is located in an eligible rural area as defined by USDA.
  • Loan Program Information: It provides details on different USDA loan programs and how to apply.
  • Contact Resources: Users can access USDA representatives for further assistance.

Colorado: The Pen to Paper SLV Grant Writing Workshop Series, hosted by the Community Resource Center (CRC) at Adams State University, offers a hands-on opportunity to strengthen grant writing skills through personalized coaching and peer review. Taking place May 12, June 2, and June 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Union Building, the workshop will guide participants through key components of the Common Grant Application, including the narrative, goals & objectives, and required attachments. The total cost is $30 for all three sessions, with lunch included and full waivers available upon request. Advance registration is required by May 9, and attendance at all three sessions is mandatory. Participation is capped at 30, with professional development credit available for an additional $25. A certificate of completion will be issued by CRC. This event is made possible with support from the LOR Foundation.
Deadline: May 9

Colorado: The Boettcher Foundation’s Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship, entering its fifth year, seeks to identify, connect, and elevate community champions from across Colorado. A highly curated program, it immerses a small cohort (10-12) of fellows in a unique experience that will support their development as changemakers in Colorado’s leadership ecosystem. The program includes facilitated learning opportunities, a financial investment, individualized coaching, and an emphasis on building connections across communities and among fellows. Candidates from rural communities, defined as “towns, cities, or communities less than 50,000 people and not adjacent or contiguous to an urbanized area,” will be given priority. Nominations are due May 16, and applications must be submitted by June 6. While nominations are encouraged to reach informal leaders who may not self-identify as traditional applicants, nomination is not required or weighted in the selection process—all candidates must complete the full application to be considered.

Montana: The Community Health Corps Montana (CHCM) AmeriCorps program is focused on addressing Montana’s health challenges through community partnerships. Housed at the Montana Office of Rural Health & Area Health Education Center, CHCM will place AmeriCorps members across the state to enhance mental health and substance use resources, improve chronic disease prevention and management, and tackle social determinants of health. Organizations interested in hosting an AmeriCorps member can fill out the Host Site Interest Form to stay informed. For more details, contact Angela Davis at angela.davis9@montana.edu.